MAHPERD "Voices From The field"

Send us Fan Mail In this illuminating conversation with Maria Melchionda, a 40-year veteran educator and executive director of MAHPERD, we explore the difference  between qualified instruction and common misconceptions in the field. Maria shares her journey from student to leader, revealing how a professor's simple invitation to join a professional organization set her on an unexpected path t...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when genuine passion for movement meets resourcefulness and creativity? Bradley Land, a K-8 physical education teacher from Phoenix, Arizona, demonstrates how innovative thinking and creativity can transform physical education without breaking the bank. Bradley's journey to becoming an award-winning PE teacher took an unexpected path. Starting with a love for soc...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to , Voices from the Field Join me as I sit down with educators, thought leaders, and professionals in Health and Physical Education (HPE) and related fields who are making a real impact. Through candid conversations and powerful storytelling, our guests share their journeys, insights, and the action steps that led them to where they are today. This podcast is all about mo...

Send us Fan Mail How can physical education teachers incorporate yoga in ways that benefit all students? Award-winning P.E. teacher Kristen Santos takes us on her unexpected journey from cancer diagnosis to becoming a leading advocate for yoga in physical education.  When Kristen's oncologist first recommended yoga during her breast cancer treatment in 2016, she was skeptical. "I thought...

Send us Fan Mail The power of quality physical education reaches far beyond the gymnasium walls. When students experience meaningful, well-designed PE programs, they become lifelong advocates for the profession as future parents, school board members, and community leaders. In this enlightening conversation with Mark and Becky Foellmer, we explore how technology and collaboration are transforming...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Ginger Aaron-Brush, a veteran physical educator whose 25-year teaching career has shaped how we think about quality physical education. From an unexpected career path—sparked by a random college bulletin board flyer—to becoming Alabama's Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Ginger's journey reveals how passion and structured teaching can transform stud...

Send us Fan Mail A passionate educator's journey from PE-avoider to professor reveals powerful lessons about inclusive physical education. Dr. Hillary Glencross candidly shares how she once did everything possible to escape "gym" class – obtaining doctor's notes, hiding in the nurse's office, or sitting on the bleachers – until one persistent high school coach refused to l...

Send us Fan Mail What makes an extraordinary physical educator? For Dr. Jenny Linker, it begins with relationship-building—a foundational skill that precedes all technical knowledge. In this compelling conversation, she reveals how her unconventional journey from psychology major to rugby coach ultimately led to becoming a respected professor and School of Education head at North Dakota State Univ...

Send us Fan Mail From the basketball court to the classroom to district leadership, Jill Foley's journey embodies the vibrant, multifaceted world of health education. As MAHPERD'S president and Director of Comprehensive Health and Wellness for Revere Public Schools, Jill brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to truly support student wellbeing. Jill's candid reflection on...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to transformative education isn't found in textbooks or standardized curriculum, but in the quality of relationships between teachers and students? Springfield College professors Angela Veach and Ted France challenge conventional wisdom about what constitutes meaningful learning as they share their expertise on adventure education. Drawing from decades of comb...

Send us Fan Mail Josh Ogilvie brings over two decades of physical education expertise to this eye-opening conversation about transforming assessment practices. As a secondary PE teacher, provincial association president, and curriculum developer in British Columbia, Josh shares practical wisdom that challenges traditional approaches while offering accessible alternatives. The discussion travels be...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Cathy Moffitt's 37-year journey in physical education reveals the profound impact a dedicated educator can have on generations of students. Having taught in the Chariho District for nearly four decades, Dr. Moffitt brings a wealth of wisdom about creating engaging, inclusive physical education experiences that build lifelong movement foundations. What drives Dr. Moffitt&a...

Send us Fan Mail Gary Zaharatos is a Physical Education Peer Observer and Instructional Coach in Denver Public Schools. He spends his days coaching and evaluating physical education teachers throughout the city. He has dedicated his career to supporting teachers as they strive to implement high quality instruction in physical education. Gary holds a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and a...

Send us Fan Mail Susan Fishback's journey from dancer to elementary PE teacher reveals a profound understanding of how early movement experiences shape our lifelong relationship with physical activity. Having taught students from a variety of demographics including those with diverse physical abilities, Susan brings a unique perspective to physical education that goes far beyond sports skills...

Send us Fan Mail When Shay  steps into her middle school health classroom in Massachusetts, she brings more than lesson plans—she carries a philosophy of education built on relationship, respect, and real-world skills. Her journey to health education wasn't direct; after studying adaptive PE and motor development therapy, she worked as a camp director and YMCA youth program manager before fin...