OUR HISTORY
1919
NJAHPER was established in 1919 following the NJ State Legislature mandate requiring that all children in New Jersey in grades K-12 pass 150 minutes of physical education every year in school to graduate. Dance was added as a division in 1982 transitioning us from NJAHPER to NJAHPERD.
Randall D. Warden, superintendent of schools for Newark Public Schools was the very first president of NJAHPER. The association was fortunate to have a president every year following Warden and functioned through two world wars. NJAHPERD provided a vehicle for the gathering of professionals to discuss what was happening in the schools and to share information. These dedicated professionals provided visionary leadership by establishing goals that included: affordable membership at the grassroots level to give people a voice in the association, providing professional development, advocating for the prioritization of children's health in schools, and implementing Title IX and VI.
We have come a long way from meeting in people's homes and restaurants to having our own headquarters in Ocean, NJ. In 2019, NJAHPERD celebrated its 100th anniversary. The many voices of our past have built the foundational structure that provides direction as we continue to grow. We look forward to what the next 100 years of NJAHPERD will bring.
Meet the Leaders
The NJAHPERD Leadership team consists of the Executive Division that includes the Executive Director, Business Manager/Treasurer, President, President-Elect, Past President, and the Parliamentarian. The Executive Board includes the Executive Division, VP's, VP-Elects, Committee Chairs, and Liaisons.
Executive Division
Immediate Past President
Barbara J. Brady
School/work Title: Health & Physical Education Teacher and Dance Director
School: Linden High School
District: Linden Public Schools
County: Union
President
Bruce Peragallo
School/work Title:
Director of Athletics
School: St. Rose High School
District: Belmar
County: Monmouth
President-Elect
Lauren Tyndorf
School/work Title: Inclusion Facilitator
New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE)
Executive Director
Carol Ciotto
School/work Title:
Interim Assistant Dean of Accreditation and Partnerships
School: Central CT State University
Business Manager/ Treasurer
Ellen Benham
School/work Title:
Retired Health and Physical Education Coordinator/Adjunct Faculty, Physical Education and Human Performance
School: Central CT State University
Parliamentarian
Michele Fisher
School/work Title: Associate Professor
School: Montclair State University
County: Essex County