FRANKLIN - The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is proud to announce that 19 education professionals from across the state recently graduated from the 18th Annual Leadership Training Institute. This five-day residential program was conducted by nationally renowned trainers, Kevin Ringhofer and Marty Harding. Throughout the week, leadership trainees learned practical strategies for working with coaches, students and parents to promote sportsmanship and wellness themes. Specific topics for the course included conducting pre-season meetings, enforcing drug and alcohol policies, training staff members, and setting a positive example.

All expenses for this week-long workshop were paid for by the MIAA including meals, materials, hotel accommodations, and professional development. Workshop participants attended sessions at the MIAA office in Franklin and the Radisson Hotel in Milford. Through the years, more than 500 health educators, coaches, teachers, parents, and others have attended this training.

The graduates from the 18^th Annual MIAA Leadership Training Institute are:

Ana Atherton (Milford, MA) Physical Education/Wellness Instructor/Coach from Nipmuc Regional High School

Luann Burke (Leominster, MA) Registered Nurse from Leominster High School

Danielle Cooper (Marlborough, MA/Lake George, NY) Student Activities Coordinator from Weston High School

Matt Gaffny (North Andover, MA) Teacher/Coach from Blackstone Valley Regional Voc/Tech High School

Edward Harrison (Wilmington, MA) Athletic Director from Wilmington High School

Kim Karvonen (New Bedford, MA) Health/Physical Education Teacher from Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School

Kim Kochanek (Salem, MA) English Teacher/Coach/Faculty Manager from Salem High School

Michael Lewis (Cambridge, MA) Athletic Department Intern from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School

David Lezenski (Lowell, MA) Athletic Director from Littleton High School

Amy Meehan (North Adams, MA) Athletic Director from Drury High School

Nancy O’Coin (Worcester, MA) Physical Education Teacher from Quinsigamond Elementary School

Jamie Podworski (West Springfield, MA) Physcial Education Teacher/Coach from Agawam High School

Frank Powers (Worcester, MA) Physical Education Teacher from the Worcester Public Schools

Terry Riley (Framingham, MA) Health/Physical Education Teacher from Assabet Valley Regional High School

Betty Rust (West Brookfield, MA) Health Coordinator from Quaboag Regional High School

Philip Sheridan (Peabody, MA) Director of Health/Physical Education/Athletics from Peabody Veteran’s Memorial High School

Luann Tomaso (Milford, MA) School Resource Officer from the Town of Ashland

David White (Milton, MA) Assistant Headmaster/Athletic Director from Charlestown High School

Heather Witalisz (Westfield, MA) Teacher/Coach from East Longmeadow High School

For more information about the Leadership Training Institute contact Peter Smith at 508-541-7997.