Tanya Woods Wins National Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada Impact Award for Transformative Leadership in Education
Tanya Woods, Instructional Program Leader for School Programs at the Halton District School Board (HDSB), has been named a recipient of the PHE Canada Impact Award, a national honour recognizing individuals whose leadership has profoundly shaped Health and Physical Education (HPE) across schools, systems and communities.
As the system lead for Elementary Health and Physical Education, Safety, Well-Being and Outdoor Experiential Education, Tanya has played a central role in shaping inclusive, high-quality HPE programming throughout the HDSB since 2014. Her work emphasizes student well-being, teacher empowerment, equity and innovation – values that align closely with both provincial goals and the HDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan.
Tanya’s influence extends far beyond her role at the HDSB. As Co-Chair of the Ontario Association for Support of Physical and Health Educators (OASPHE), she has led province-wide initiatives that support educators and inform policy. Her work includes co-authoring position statements, developing timely resource packages, and organizing professional learning opportunities that help educators navigate evolving needs in physical education. She was recognized with the 2019 OASPHE Advocacy Award and the 2022 Doyle-Harkness Award from CIRA Ontario for her system-level leadership and commitment to inclusive, engaging physical activity for all.
She has also been instrumental in the success of the Meaningful PE project, a six-year research-practice partnership between the HDSB and Brock University. Through her leadership, the initiative has secured federal funding, expanded from two to 14 lead educators and achieved global reach through podcasts, presentations, published research and curriculum frameworks. The project is now widely recognized for enhancing teacher capacity and centring student engagement in physical education classrooms.
“Tanya is widely admired for her kindness, reliability and efficiency, as well as her ability to foster strong and collaborative relationships across the HDSB,” said Laurie Reid, System Principal of Elementary School Programs at the HDSB. “Her positive energy and genuine care for others are evident in every interaction. She approaches her work with humour and humility, and her advocacy for students of all abilities has earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and community members alike.”
Tanya’s work has changed the day-to-day experiences of students and educators. She is credited with embedding HPE into broader student success strategies, mentoring educators across all levels and ensuring inclusive athletic and well-being opportunities are accessible throughout the system.
As one of Canada’s leading voices in health and physical education, Tanya Woods continues to inspire excellence, advocacy and meaningful change – locally, provincially and nationally.
