Heather Sawyer

Varsity Coach

Girls Varsity Volleyball

Coach Sawyer is going into her 18th year as Varsity Coach and PE/Health Teacher at Lakeview HS.  Coach Sawyer loves to travel, be active, read and spend time in Leelanau County!

Degrees:

Master of Arts - Western Michigan University                                        2001 

Thesis Title: The Impact of the Program for Athletic Coaches Education (PACE) Certification - MIVCA Coaching Association

Graduate Teacher Effectiveness Award                                            2001

Bachelor of Arts, Education                                                            1988 Major: Physical Education...Minor:   Health...Western Michigan University

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Physical Education and Health Teacher                                 2002 – Present

Grade 9-12...Varsity Volleyball Coach...Assistant Girls Track Coach...Lakeview High School

Western Michigan University - Part Time Instructor               2001-2002

Kalamazoo Valley Community College - Part Time Instructor 2000-2002

USA Michigan Volleyball - Regional Program Coordinator          1996 - 1999  Player development /year round...Coach development...Head Coach of 18 U 

Professional Volleyball Player - Francheville, France              1995-1996  *Division II Champions...Assistant Coach 16 U..Part time instructor Grade 4-5 Francheville Elementary School...Guest Speaker – France Regional Coaching Clinic

Team Canada Women’s Volleyball                                                 1994-1995

*Domestic and International tours...Olympic Qualification Year

University of Regina -  Physical Activity Studies Instructor           1990- 1994

Women’s Volleyball Coach...NCCP Level 3 Certified Coach...NCCP Level 2 Course Instructor

Team Canada Volleyball Jr. National Team - Asst. Coach             1989 - 1993

*NORCECA Junior Championships, Guatemala...1991 World Student Games, Sheffield, England...Domestic and International tours and training camps

Professional Volleyball Player- Herentals Belgium                     1989 – 1990

*Division I Champions...Country Cup Champions...2^nd Round European Club Championships (CEV)...Assistant Coach 15 & Under team Herentals VBC

Team Canada Women’s Volleyball- Team Member                     1986 – 1989

*1986 World Championships Prague, Czechoslovakia...1986 World Cup, Seoul, Korea...1987 NORCECA Zone Championships, Havana, Cuba...1987 World Student Games, Zagreb, Yugoslavia...1987 Pan American Games, Indianapolis, USA...1988 Olympic Qualifications, Forli, Italy

Professional Leadership (Local, State, District, National, Dates and Type of Service):

Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) Board (2014 – present)

Lakeview High School Physical Education Department Instructional Team Leader-Professional Learning Community (2012 – 2016)

Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) 2013, 2015 Coach of The Year – Region 12

AAHPERD Wii-Just Dance Pilot Project (Grade 9-12) (2012)

Sawyer, H. (2010) – Life of An Athlete – Nutrition; Lakeview School District Code of Conduct Meeting for Spring Athletes.

Sawyer, H. & Schutten, M.C. (2010, Mar). Easy Steps to the Basics of Volleyball for Elementary and Middle School Educators (Be Not Afraid: It is possible to implement volleyball skills to Elementary and Middle School Age Children). Sponsoring Association: American Association of Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR). American Alliance of Health Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) national convention Indianapolis, IN

Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) 2007, Coach of The Year – Region 12

Sawyer, H. (1999 – 2010) Course Manager/Instructor - Increased Mastery and Professional Application of Coaching Theory (IMPACT). Sponsoring Association: The Lakeshore Region and United States Volleyball (USAV).

Lakeview School Board Presentation 2006, 2009 – FITNESSGRAM Pilot Program Implementation; FITNESSGRAM and Beyond

Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) Clinic 1996, 1997, 2004, 2005 – Topics: Coaching Skills, Development of Individual Defensive Skills, Passing and Ball Control Skills, Setting Skills and Strategies.

Southwest Regional Physical Education Workshop 2005: Skill Development for Volleyball with Elementary School Children 

Business Education Connection 2001: Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce Guest Speaker (Non – Traditional Professional Athlete)

Service and Leadership (Research, Publications, Special projects, Grants):

Dig Pink for Volleyball, Lakeview Volleyball Program (2008 to present). American Cancer Society fundraiser and Breast Cancer Awareness.

MHSAA Volleyball Championships (2007 to present).  Class/Court manager for the semi finals/final matches.

Youth [grades 5-12] Summer Volleyball Camps (2003-present). Battle Creek Lakeview High School.

Site Director, Volleyball Venue, (2005, 2006) Michigan State Senior Olympics.

CHAMPS Coordinator 1999 – 2002: Affiliation MHSAA and the Girls’ State Volleyball Championships

Significant Achievement in the Field of Physical Education/Honors and Awards:

Secondary Teacher of the Year: Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD 2011)

Western Michigan University Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (1996)

Western Michigan University Graduate Teacher Effectiveness Award (2001)

Outdoor Education Curriculum developed for new course (2007)

Inducted into the Western Michigan University, HPER Alumni Honor Academy (2010)