BRADLEY COUNTY SCHOOLS director Johnny McDaniel received the TNOCSH Leadership Award at the annual state CSH conference in Murfreesboro. Present to celebrate with McDaniel were, from left, June McDonald, BCS CSH Assistant; Andrea Lockerby, BCS CSH Director; Dr. Rebecca Johns-Womack, executive director of the Tennessee Office of CSH; and Karen Slater, BCS PEP grant Coordinator.
Now, Bradley County Director of Schools Johnny McDaniel has been recognized for his support of the program.
McDaniel was recently awarded the Tennessee Office of Coordinated School Health Leadership Award for 2012.
According to a CSH press release, directors are nominated and a winner is chosen by school system directors across the state. Bradley County CSH director Andrea Lockerby nominated McDaniel for the award.
“I’m a real strong believer in what Coordinated School Health does for children,” McDaniel said.
He said he has always been in favor of the school system providing support to develop the whole child. He said there is an important link between physical activity and brain function.
“His unwavering advocacy of connecting health and academics has led to Bradley County Schools receiving over $1.6 million in grants and in-kind contributions for all components of Coordinated School Health which include nutrition, physical education, health services, counseling/psychological and social services, healthy school environment, staff wellness, family/community involvement, and health education,” according to the release.
New equipment has also enhanced the program at many area schools by adding climbing walls, bicycles and interactive exercise board.
“We are on the cutting edge,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel was presented with the award at the annual state CSH conference in Murfreesboro.
“The award is just a recognition of what Andrea with Coordinated School Health and Emily Brown with school nutrition are doing,” McDaniel said.
The director said he felt “very honored” for the state to recognize the hard work of the county system.
