IRMO – River Springs Elementary School physical education teacher Ben Landers was honored with the ARTIE Award at the annual National Physical Education Institute, held July 17–18, 2025, at UNC Asheville.
The ARTIE Award—short for Awesome Rad Thinking in Education—is named after Artie Kamiya, a nationally recognized leader in the PE field. It is given to innovative educators who create new pathways to move the profession forward.
“This is something that’s so meaningful to me because of who Artie is,” Landers said. “Many consider him the ‘Godfather of PE’ for his contributions, leadership, and ability to bring people together. He’s been a mentor to me—always willing to offer advice, encouragement, and his time.”
The National PE Institute is a premier professional development conference for physical educators. Attendees receive expert instruction, fresh ideas, networking opportunities, and continuing education credits, all designed to help create engaging, effective PE experiences for students.
“Mr. Landers is an exceptional physical education teacher,” said River Springs Principal Matt Gams. “He engages all students, teaches them to set goals, and fosters a growth mindset. We are proud he’s a River Springs Navigator!”
