Three Charles County Public Schools teachers received the Simon A. McNeely Award from SHAPE Maryland for leadership and innovative teaching practices in health and physical education while remaining active in their communities. Ian Caballero, Shelby Smith and Eric Wittenbach collectively represent more than 45 years of service in the district. The honors were announced Jan. 21, 2026, recognizing educators who demonstrate outstanding innovation in teaching health and physical education and who go above and beyond in their professional roles.
Caballero serves as a physical education teacher at C. Paul Barnhart, Berry and J.P. Ryon elementary schools. He began his career as a substitute teacher, then worked as an instructional assistant in literacy and as a computer facilitator before becoming a physical education teacher 15 years ago. “I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the younger generation,” Caballero said. “I always have liked to stay active and to teach physical skills to kids.” He previously taught at Maurice J. McDonough High School and Mary H. Matula Elementary School. Caballero noted elementary students are enthusiastic and willing to learn but face challenges in shifting from technology to physical activity and teamwork. Outside school, he plays baseball in an Industrial Baseball League, pickleball and weight trains.
Smith teaches health at La Plata High School and has served as an athletic trainer in the district for 10 years. She added teaching duties six years ago. “I got into teaching a little unconventionally,” Smith said. “When COVID-19 hit, [La Plata Principal Douglass] Dolan asked if I would be interested in teaching health. One thing led to another and now I juggle both.” Smith teaches Health I and Health II, allowing her to instruct many students twice during high school. “Health is such an important content area that students are already invested and engaged in,” she said. “It can apply to their everyday life, no matter who they are.” Topics include social media’s influence. “I truly feel that health teachers can be one of the most impactful educators our students come across,” Smith said. She provides sports medicine services countywide and stays active with regular walks.
Wittenbach, a National Board Certified Teacher, has taught physical education at Milton M. Somers Middle School for more than two decades. He has also taught health and social studies. “Teaching physical education for me was kind of inevitable,” Wittenbach said. “My dad was a teacher and coach, so from a very young age I was always with him at a high school during practices and games.” His father coached three varsity sports, fostering Wittenbach’s love of physical activity. “My mission for teaching physical education has always been centered around making lifelong physical activity accessible to all,” he said. Middle school students begin making health decisions, and Wittenbach emphasizes training principles and self-efficacy. He develops new drills and games annually to engage diverse personalities and address social media and technology issues through skill-building stations and small-sided games. Wittenbach previously coached high school football and assists with the middle school archery tournament at Somers each fall. He practices strength training, cardio and holistic wellness. “I am big believer in functional [and] holistic health and wellness practices. I feel that physical activity and wellness is the cure for most of what ails us physically and emotionally,” Wittenbach said.
