Janet Forbess has organized the state convention of the Arkansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance for about 20 years. Those years represent significant contributions to the association, which surprised her with a lifetime achievement award at the convention Nov. 5-6 in Eureka Springs.

Forbess teaches physical education courses in the College of Education and Health Professions. She joined the University of Arkansas faculty in 1978, the same year she joined the state association for educators with a mission of promoting physical education. She didn't know two people would receive the association's top award this year.

"I chaired the committee that gives this award and after I announced the recipient, another person on the committee said, 'We have another award.' I was never so surprised," Forbess said.

The award is presented to a member of the association who has made outstanding and noteworthy contributions to the advancement of health, physical education and recreation in Arkansas.

As the program coordinator, Forbess reviews all proposals for sessions, accepting, rejecting or asking for revisions. This year's convention featured 30 sessions including such topics as assessment in physical education, how to use new pieces of equipment and conduct new activities, the process for creating study abroad opportunities for college students, designing service projects and designing research-based wellness programs. Using technology both for assessment and motivation is also a focus of sessions, she said.

"The association is important because attendees learn up-to-date techniques," Forbess said. "For a lot of public school teachers, it can be so easy to roll out the ball and teach the same thing over and over. In addition to learning new activities, they can stay up-to-date with the latest research. Social activities are also included to help members network, and they also give students the chance to connect with professors and learn about graduate degree programs available in Arkansas."

Forbess also recruits college and university students, which the association refers to as future professionals, to act as presiders for sessions. The presider's duties include arranging for any equipment the speaker needs, introducing and thanking the speaker and managing the evaluation forms for the session.

The job of presider gives the students some recognition. The convention itself helps students make connections with professionals in the field and learn more about current issues and challenges. Forbess is especially proud of two University of Arkansas students who presented a session this year on new warm-up activities for physical education classes. Melanie Hosty and Janet Filbeck are undergraduates, she said, and it's rare for proposals to be accepted from undergraduates. Their evaluations by people who attended the session were over the top, Forbess said.

The association also takes an active role in educating state legislators about the need for physical activity in schools, she said. Its leaders advocate for licensed physical education teachers in all schools. They also educate members to share information with their school administrators and school boards. The association also supports a requirement that schools set aside time for recess.

"A lot of school administrators don't understand the link between physical activity and learning," Forbess said. "Studies have shown that movement is important to having good test scores."