By Jeff Murphy,
March 8, 2018
WARRENSBURG, MO - A University of Central Missouri faculty member whose professional
peers have described as a “master educator,” Dennis Docheff, professor in the Department
of Nutrition and Kinesiology, is being recognized with the Joy of Effort Award by
SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators.
Presented in recognition of Docheff’s distinguished service, dedication, and commitment
to improving physical activity, the Joy of Effort Award will be presented during SHAPE
America’s Hall of Fame Banquet, Friday, March 23. It takes place during the organization’s133rd
National Convention & Expo in Nashville, Tenn.
The SHAPE America Hall of Fame Banquet is sponsored by Sportime, featuring SPARK,
a category of School Specialty, Inc., and Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. During
the banquet, SHAPE America also will recognize its National Physical Education Teachers
of the Year for elementary, middle and high school and National Teachers of the Year
for adapted physical education, dance and health.
According to SHAPE America President Fran Cleland of West Chester University, the
Joy of Effort Award “honors an individual who exemplifies the highest standards in
accomplishment, innovation, and leadership. As a teacher and presenter, Dennis Docheff
is a master educator. He is always well prepared, tells stories that support the
theme of the lesson and engages his students in each topic. His joyful, happy, laid
back, positive, encouraging attitude, places students at ease and thus, empowers students
to believe in themselves.”
Docheff joined the UCM faculty in 2001, and has been an educator since 1978. His experience
includes being a fifth and sixth grade classroom teacher, teaching a variety of subjects
such as physical education, social studies, math and art at the middle and high school
levels, and teaching physical education at five different colleges and/or universities.
He has also filled the role of elementary principal, junior high athletic director,
high school counselor, and college department chair. His coaching experience includes
positions in football, basketball, track and field, volleyball, golf, and fencing.
Among his career highlights, Docheff taught for three years at the United States Military
Academy at West Point; served on the SHAPE America Board of Directors, president of
the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), president for SHAPE
America - Central District, and received both the SHAPE America Honor and Central
District Mark Harvey Legacy Recognition Awards. A member of SHAPE America since 1985,
he has been involved in a number of projects; one of his favorites was serving on
the revision team for the National Standards for Sport Coaches.
In addition to serving on boards, councils, and committees for SHAPE America and the
Central District, Docheff has served on three different state AHPERD boards (Washington,
New York, and Missouri). He is a prolific researcher and scholar with contributions
in more than 100 publications and 200 presentations.
Docheff received both his bachelor’s degree in physical education and his master’s
degree in education in school administration from Whitworth College, Spokane, Wash.,
and his education doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado; Greeley, in
physical education--curriculum and administration.
SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership
organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in
1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our National
Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical
education programs across the country. We provide programs, resources and advocacy
to support health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university
graduate programs.
For more information about SHAPE America’s National Convention & Expo, visit the website
and follow #SHAPENashville.
