The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) plans to honor Michigan State University Professor Emeritus Janet Wessel for a career dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities through physical activity and sports. She will receive the association’s Julian U. Stein Award on March 31, 2011, during the national convention in San Diego, Calif.
AAPAR is part of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, better known as AAHPERD.
Wessel retired from the College of Education in 1983 after more than 25 years as a faculty member in health and physical education. She was a pioneer in the field of adaptive physical education and became nationally known for her development of the “I CAN Achievement Based Physical Education Curriculum.”
In retirement, Wessel has continued to contribute to the field. She co-authored, with fellow MSU Professor Gail Dummer (retired), a new curriculum resource for teachers — Everyone Can! Skill Development and Assessment in Elementary Physical Education — in 2010.
The Stein Award is the most prestigious honor granted by the Adapted Physical Activity Council, one of several special interest groups represented under AAPAR.