marewhitney
marewhitney
| Forum role | Member since | Last activity | Topics created | Replies created |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Nov 21, 2014 (11 years) |
- | 1 | 0 |
- Forum role
- Member
- Member since
Nov 21, 2014 (11 years)
- Last activity
- -
- Topics created
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Bio
Ms. Whitney is the founder and CEO of STRIDE Adaptive Sports, an educational organization which specializes in therapeutic recreation related programs throughout the Northeastern United States for children and individuals who have disabilities.
Ms. Whitney has taught in the public school systems for nearly 30 years as an Adaptive Physical Education teacher. She saw the unmet need for a volunteer organization to provide sports training to children with physical and cognitive disabilities. So in 1984, she officially dedicated her life to making a difference, starting small – with only five volunteers – and focused on her own love of skiing, a popular afterschool activity in the Capital Region . 25 years later, STRIDE Adaptive Sports, has grown to 300 trained volunteer instructors who provide over 6,000 free lessons or experiences annually in 18 different sports. STRIDE is an outgrowth of her work as a teacher, and was created to give equal opportunities for extra-curricular activities for kids with special needs. Ms. Whitney is also accredited or certified through many national organizations, and has received numerous local and national awards.
In 2005 STRIDE began working with the Wounded Warrior Project to provide adaptive skiing and snowboarding instruction to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This initiative matches soldiers with students who have similar disabilities in a mentoring relationship. In 2009, STRIDE received Newman’s Own award at the US Pentagon from Admiral Mike Mullen, Joint Chief of Staff for work with Wounded Warriors
In addition to her work as founder and Executive Director of STRIDE Adaptive Sports, she exemplifies her personal commitment to teach and educate through her “Partners in Education Program” to educate and assist local school districts about possibilities for students in the special education arena. Ms. Whitney teaches as an adjunct at HVCC in the Physical Education Department; and volunteers for numerous local organizations that have similar humanitarian missions.
She has taught in various facets of Special Education and Physical Education in three states, has over 30 years of expertise in coaching and teaching sports in all disability categories and levels; and is currently a steering committee member of Adaptive Board of Educators for Professional Ski Instructors of America, which governs ski and snowboard instruction for those with disabilities nationwide. She is also a member of the skiing leadership committee for the US Paralympics.
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