Mario Reyna, Health & PE Coordinator for McAllen ISD, received a special award from a state organization Dec. 6 in Galveston. The Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) recognized Reyna as the 2014 K-12 Administrator of the Year. Pictured, Reyna (left) receives his award from TAHPERD President Dr. Henry Ross of Texas A&M University-Commerce.
The award honors “individuals (who) exemplify the highest standards in accomplishment and innovation, and in strong and vigorous leadership,” according to TAHPERD.
Reyna's relentless support of the Let's Move! Active Schools initiative and advocacy efforts prompted an invitation to the White House by First Lady Michelle Obama in February 2014. A few weeks later, former First Lady Hillary Clinton applauded McAllen ISD for its efforts in the Let's Move! Active Schools and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation initiatives.
Under his direction, McAllen ISD has become the only district in the United States with 100 percent of campuses earning the Let's Move! Active Schools Recognition Award . Reyna's recruitment of the City of McAllen as a Let's Move! City has paid off – the city earned four Let's Move! gold medals. Reyna organized and hosted the Let's Move! McAllen Pep Rally that attracted 5,500 participants in September 2014. He is currently serving as the Texas Let's Move! Active Schools Co-Coordinator.
In 2012, he secured $1.9 million from the Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant. For ten years, he managed the After-School Enrichment Program where he procured more than $4.5 million.
In 2010, Reyna became the first Hispanic to serve as president of TAHPERD. His awards include: 2006 Texas AHPERD Honor; 2014 AAHPERD Southern District Ethnic Minority; and 2014 Texas AHPERD K-12 Administrator of the Year.
He earned his Master of Education from the University of Texas-Pan American in 1990 and has worked at McAllen ISD for 34 years - fourteen in an administrative role.