In this episode, podcast co-host Matt Pomeroy interviews Kevin Tiller, physical education teacher at West Elementary School in Andover, MA, and 2015 MAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Listen in as Kevin shares what’s in his “Action Pack” — his goals for the year, new things he is adding to his curriculum or program, self-care, and how he reflects as an educator.

Key discussion points include:
• What are your goals for your school year?
• What new things are you implementing/adding to your curriculum or program?
• How are you taking care of yourself?
• How do you reflect as an educator?

In this episode, podcast co-host Stephanie Sandino interviews Martha Lopez-Anderson, executive director of Parent Heart Watch. This national organization helps communities understand the true incidence of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in youth, appraise risk factors, access preventative health care, apply life-saving skills, and advocate for sudden cardiac arrest prevention practices wherever youth congregate. PE/health educator Kyle Pryor also joins the podcast to discuss his participation in Get Charged Up! — a program that promotes the importance of having an automated external defibrillator (AED) and a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) in schools.

Key discussion points include:
• What is sudden cardiac arrest and is it the same as a heart attack?
• What is the Cardiac Chain of Survival and can teachers standardize this response in their school?
• What is involved in implementing the entire Cardiac Emergency Response Plan?
Resources:
• Cardiac Emergency Response Plan tips from SHAPE America and Parent Heart Watch
• Get Charged Up! Infographic and information
• Health Literacy Month resources

In this episode, we're joined by three dynamic PE teachers representing different grade levels: MIchael Morris (elementary); Mark Foellmer (middle school); and Jo Baily (high school). Whether this is your first year teaching or your umpteenth year in the profession, you'll learn some new tricks during this podcast to help with classroom management.

Key takeaways include:
• Examples of daily classroom routines that have been proven to work;
• Tips for implementing positive incentives and praise with your students;
• Suggestions for stop-and-go cues, attention-getters and grouping students;
• Strategies for handling off-task behaviors;
• Advice on choosing apps to help your classroom run smoother.

If you are a preservice teacher, you won’t want to miss this episode! Listen in as podcast co-host Collin Brooks and a class of preservice teachers interview SHAPE America President Judy LoBianco. Key takeaways include:
• Advice on preparing for your first job in health education or physical education;
• Insight about what physical education administrators look for when interviewing candidates;
• Tips on how to become an advocate for your profession.

In this episode, Matt interviews physical educators Sarah Heidl and Stephanie Sandino. Listen in to learn how they got started in education, how they began their leadership journey, and how they got into leadership positions. Key takeaways include:
• Insight about the different ways to enter leadership positions;
• Examples of different leadership roles or opportunities for physical educators;
• Tips on how you can find and get accepted into leadership positions;
• Details about what responsibilities are expected in different leadership roles.

The “Building an HPE Dynasty” series spotlights professionals within our field who have built a strong program from the ground up. In this episode, we’re joined by Bob Pangrazi, who worked with many physical educators to build a strong HPE program in Mesa, AZ. Bob has been an educator for more than 50 years. He began his career as a fifth-grade teacher and was a professor of physical education at Arizona State University for 32 years.

Listen in as Bob shares his philosophy on physical education and provides details about how teachers are trained and developed in Mesa. Key takeaways include:
• Examples of qualities that make up great teachers and a strong PE curriculum;
• Tips for successful cooperating teaching/student teaching placements;
• Insight about how a partnership with researchers and universities can lead to high-quality physical education programs.

In this episode, we’re joined by two leaders in health education: Claudia Brown, president of the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, and Jamie Sparks, SHAPE America president-elect.

Listen in to learn how Claudia and Jamie got started in education, how they began their leadership journey, and how they got into leadership positions. Key takeaways include:
• Insight about the different ways to enter leadership positions;
• Examples of different leadership roles or opportunities for health educators;
• Tips on how you can find and get accepted into leadership positions;
• Details about what responsibilities are expected in different leadership roles.

Summer is the perfect time for teachers to reflect on the previous academic year. In this episode, our podcast hosts each share three successes they had this year and three things they hope to improve next year. Listen in to hear reflections from health and physical educators — you just might relate!

For health and physical educators, summer is prime time for professional development! In this episode, Stephanie and Matt each share their Top 5 summer PD options. Learn about each and decide which ones are a good fit for your summer learning!

In this episode — which originally aired in November 2016 — we’re joined by Jessica Shawley, National Board Certified physical educator and 2012 SHAPE America National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Listen in to learn about Jessica’s experience as a teacher leader and hear segments from her teacher leadership audio reflection journal. Key takeaways include:
• Insight about the different roles a teacher leader can take on, and how to figure out which ones are best for you;
• Strategies for leading peers, which can sometimes be a delicate process;
• Tips on balancing teaching responsibilities with professional and personal responsibilities;
• Examples of why perseverance and resilience are an important part of teaching and teacher leadership.