TAHPERD’s reMOVEing Layers

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor, CAE, and Lisa Fall, CMP, welcome Brian Devore, professional development director for OPEN, and Doug Satre, sales manager at Gopher Sport, to discuss the value of exhibiting at TAHPERD events and supporting health and physical education professionals. They share why relationships keep them coming back year after year, explore the evolving needs of educators, an...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor, CAE, and Lisa Fall, CMP, are joined by Anne Daily, retired Spring Branch ISD teacher and current TAHPERD president, and Brendan Thompson, a health fitness teacher at Wilchester Elementary in Houston, for a conversation about professional growth, mentorship, and developing the next generation of educators. Anne and Brendan reflect on recent TAHPERD events and t...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor, CAE, and Lisa Fall, CMP, are joined by Pete Silvius, director of Whole Child Initiatives in Seguin ISD, and Courtney Robertson, physical education teacher at Canyon Creek Elementary in Richardson ISD, for a conversation about mentorship, leadership, and professional engagement within TAHPERD. Pete and Courtney reflect on the mentors who encouraged their involv...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor, CAE, and Lisa Fall, CMP, are joined by Lori Carroll (Spring ISD), Amber Macneish (Pasadena ISD), and Helen Wagner (Humble ISD) for a conversation on the value of professional involvement in TAHPERD and the challenges of evaluating PE and health educators. The group discusses common issues with the T-TESS evaluation system, including administrators’ limited fam...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor, CAE, and Lisa Fall, CMP, welcome Anne Daily, retired Spring Branch ISD teacher and current TAHPERD president, to reflect on her decades of leadership within both her district and the association. Anne shares how a mentor first encouraged her to join TAHPERD 30 years ago and why she has remained committed ever since. For her, the lasting value has been the rela...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, welcome Britt Klein, Director of Exhibits and Member Engagement at TAHPERD, for a look ahead at what’s coming in 2026. The conversation highlights the launch of TAHPERD’s new mobile app—available on Apple and Android—designed to make member engagement, event registration, and access to key information easier than ever. Britt shares how featu...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, are joined by Judy Bloomquist and Dr. Kristy Urbick for a conversation about the power of student involvement in TAHPERD. The discussion highlights how engaging students early not only strengthens the association, but also helps shape the next generation of professionals and leaders. Judy and Kristy share their own journeys with TAHPERD and...

Hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Jacob Pacheco, an elite adaptive athlete and keynote speaker at TAHPERD’s 102nd Annual Convention. Born with cerebral palsy, Jacob shares how he turned adversity into purpose through education, athletics, and advocacy. He discusses his belief that effort matters more than results, the role of routine in overcoming fear and self-doubt, and the p...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, welcome Lauran DeForke and Christina Fuller-Summey, the 2025 TAHPERD Physical Education Teachers of the Year. Christina highlights her innovative use of technology to enhance student learning, while Lauran reflects on a lifelong passion for education and athletics that has shaped generations of students. Together, they share how TAHPERD has...

Hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Stephen Mackey—player development coach, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and keynote speaker at TAHPERD’s 102nd Annual Convention. Mackey shares his powerful journey of connecting sports to life lessons for students and athletes, along with his work alongside the Texas High School Coaches Association. He discusses the creation of resour...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, as they sit down with Dr. Sharon Rice, assistant professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, and Tammy Gilstrap, a retired Texas educator with over 40 years of experience, to talk about the exciting relaunch of the Exemplary Schools Award. The conversation explores the importance of post-summer routine, the challenges of creating a more accessible...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with longtime TAHPERD members Janice Perez Longino, a PE teacher in Rockwall ISD, and Juliana Williams, a high school dance instructor in Dallas ISD. Together, they explore how integrating dance into physical education not only boosts athletic performance but also builds student confidence and sparks creativity. They share personal...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, are joined by Pasha Cook—author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker for the upcoming TAHPERD Summer Conference—for an inspiring conversation on resilience, leadership, and personal transformation. Pasha shares her powerful journey from college basketball player to first-generation college graduate and trusted advisor to CEOs. She dives into h...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Felicia Ceaser-White, Coordinator, K-12 Health and Physical Education Curriculum with Houston ISD, and Amber Macneish, Physical Education, Health Education and Wellness Coordinator with Pasadena ISD, about the vital role health education plays in shaping lifelong wellness. They explore how strong health curricula address studen...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Pete Silvius, Director of Whole Child Initiatives for the Seguin Independent School District, and Dr. Kent Griffin, an associate professor in the Health and Human Performance (HHP) department at Texas State University, to explore the impact of outdoor recreation on student development. They discuss how time in nature builds ess...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, talk with Dr. Debbie Rhea, full professor of kinesiology and founding director of the LiiNK Project at Texas Christian University. Dr. Rhea shares how the LiiNK Project is reshaping school curricula by integrating unstructured outdoor play and character development to improve children's health and learning outcomes. Discover how more recess...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Amber Sladecek, District Elementary Physical Education Lead Teacher in Georgetown, Texas, and Xavier Sampson, PE teacher at Scott Johnson Middle School in McKinney, Texas. They explore the impact of community outreach and the role of professional associations like TAHPERD in supporting educators. Amber shares her passion for de...

In this episode, host Lisa Fall, CMP, takes over the mic to interview her co-host Rachel Naylor, executive director of the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD). Together, they explore the upcoming 41st Annual Leadership Conference, scheduled for January 31–February 2, 2025, at the Lake Granbury Conference Center in Granbury, Texas. Rachel discusses the...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Joel Romo, president of Texana Public Affairs, to explore his extensive experience in Texas legislative affairs. Joel shares valuable lessons on the importance of patience, consistent messaging, and collaboration in successful advocacy efforts. The discussion covers how to balance diverse legislative issues, build strong coalit...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, as they dive into an insightful discussion with Dr. José Santiago, professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University, and Dr. Ben Kern, associate professor at the University of Wyoming, on the critical role of advocacy in physical education. They explore the need for data-driven approaches to improve physical education policies,...

For our season 2 premier, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, have an engaging conversation with Janet Scott-Carrier, a professional public-school educator and an experienced professional development presenter from Aldine ISD, and Kenneth Hernandez, coordinator of health and PE for Aldine ISD. The conversation highlights their professional journeys and the impact of their conference presentati...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for a fun conversation with Alyson Van Hooser, leadership expert, author, and keynote speaker at the 101st TAHPERD Annual Convention. Alyson shares her journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a successful leader and mother of four. She discusses the importance of self-care, storytelling, and effective leadership, offering actionable advice on...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for an engaging conversation with Dr. Sharon Rice, an assistant professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, and Jordan Vardeman, an elementary physical education teacher for Douglass ISD. Together, they explore the benefits of attending conferences for PE educators, sharing techniques for initiating conversations and building connections at these e...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for a fun conversation with Joel Zeff, improvisational humorist, author, and keynote speaker at this year's TAHPERD Summer Conference. Joel shares how he uses improv and humor to enhance teamwork and leadership, offering a sneak peek into his keynote presentation and breakout session. Discover the importance of being present, breaking down communication...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for an engaging conversation with H.C. Grimet, physical education, health and outdoor learning center coordinator with Katy ISD, and Rex Peebles, an elementary physical education teacher for Katy ISD. Together, they discuss the importance of being involved in TAHPERD, share their unique career paths, and explore the invaluable benefits of networking in...