PhysEdcast

Teaching Physical Education is more than just skills and drills. Join Nathan Horne from iPhys-Ed.com to discover how you can deliver your PhysEd program with a more conceptual focus. Dive into the big ideas and make your PE program more meaningful and engaging.

Holly Alperin has over 20 years’ experience in both public health and education and holds an Ed.M. in Policy, Planning and Administration from Boston University, a B.S. in Health Education/Health Promotion from Central Michigan University, and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). Currently, at the University of New Hampshire she is a faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology’s Health and Physical Education teacher preparation program. Prior to UNH, she worked for 16 years with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in a variety of roles that supported schools in their efforts to strengthen policies and increase capacity around school health education and programs, school nutrition programs, and improving professional development for educators. Through work at the local, state, national and international levels she supports the implementation of a skills-based health education program and collaborates with schools and communities as they create a culture of health and well-being for all young people. Ms. Alperin’s research interests include skills-based health education, creating a culture of health and well-being in schools that ensures safe and equitable health education experiences, and enhancing school-based physical and health education programming. Ms. Alperin currently serves in a variety of volunteer roles including the Publications Committee and Health Education Council for SHAPEAmerica and as the past-vice president for health education of the NH Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She lives in Atkinson, NH with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys the beach, outdoor adventures, skiing with her family, and taking time to enjoy a good book.

Sarah Sparrow Benes received her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching in 2010 and her Ed.M in Human Movement in 2006 from Boston University. She is on track to earn her Master’s in Public Health in 2021. She went to Boston University from the University of Connecticut where she earned her B.S. in Athletic Training. Sarah worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer and an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Boston University before transitioning to teaching full time and running the Physical and Health Education Programs for 6 years. Dr. Benes is now at Merrimack College as Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Health Sciences. She has taught a range of courses from curriculum and teaching methods, student teaching practicums, health education for elementary educators to, more recently, health behavior theory and introduction to public health. Dr. Benes developed and led the first short-term study abroad course in the School of Health Sciences taking students to Scotland as part of a course comparing public health in the US and abroad. Dr. Benes’ research interests include skills-based health education, physical activity in the classroom, and enhancing school-based physical and health education programming. Dr. Benes is currently on the Board of SHAPEAmerica and she has served as Chair of the Health Education Council of SHAPE America. She has done curriculum development with many districts in Massachusetts, has conducted skills-based health education professional development in multiple states across the country and internationally and has many health education presentations and publications. She currently lives in Natick, MA with her husband, two daughters and a yellow lab! She enjoys reading, hiking and going on adventures with her family.

Health Advocate and 2017 SHAPE America National Health Teacher of the Year, Andy Milne shares his ideas on how health education has changed over the years. He encourages the teaching of life skills and advocacy to help younger generations make smart choices and live healthy lives. Andy is a passionate teacher with over 24 years of experience in education and was awarded the SHAPE America National Health Teacher of the Year in 2017. This award was recognition for his engaging teaching ideas and commitment to delivering a personalized curriculum that best suits his students' needs. He seeks to develop health skills that his students will need to navigate a life of healthy living, improving not only personal health but advocating for the health of others. Andy shares his passion for education and innovative teaching methods at conferences across the country, via social media, and through his global teaching blog. In 2017 he launched a fundraising initiative that provides financial support for teachers in need of professional development opportunities. Originally from London, England, Andy has taught on four continents and currently teaches at New Trier High School, residing in Barrington where he lives with his wife Caroline and two young sons, Harrison and Jack.

This episode is something a little different. Rather than interviewing a leader in the PhysEd world, Nathan shares his knowledge on Teaching Games for Understanding. This is the first in our PhysEdcast Learn series where we will break down topics and provide listeners with some professional learning on the go. In this episode, Nathan will cover What TGfU is, how to implement it and where to find resources to help you on your TGfU journey.

Megan Hale is a blind college student-athlete who breaks down barriers and leaps over hurdles. Born with Leabers Congenital Amaurosis, a rare eye condition that affects the retina. She does not let that get in the way of her love for sports.  Finding a Camp in Saratoga, New York called Camp Abilities, Megan found her calling and never looked back. She joined the high school track team as a middle schooler and continued it through high school. Now she’s working with the Capital Region Nordic Alliance and Microsoft Soundscape to make Trail Orienteering accessible for the blind.   A recent graduate of Hudson Valley Community College Megan has earned her associate's degree in Physical Education and is moving on to SUNY Brockport for her master's in Adapted Physical Education. Megan and her guide dog Hero show no signs of stopping any time soon.

Megan recently started a YouTube Channel called Blind Physical Education which I highly recommend subscribing to - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtI5TxfAT-h-ItUeYL7_1Tw

Our guest's Twitter bio reads: "Ph.D. in pleasure. Yes, you read that correctly. Board Director Physical Education New Zealand. Lecturer. Volunteer. Educator. Doing some cool projects. Cheeky." Dr. Susie Stevens is all of these things and more. This episode was one of the most fun I have ever recorded. Alongside the laughs come some pretty deep and insightful messages around changing the way that we look at teaching physical education.

Shane Pill is one of Australia's leading coach educator's and developers, and thought leaders in physical education. Shane has been a mentor of mine as I develop my pedagogy around teaching purposeful games and it is always a pleasure to chat with him.

How do we help our students see themselves as the hero in their own physical education journey? International school physical educator Mel Hamada shares her experiences helping students all around the world find meaning in movement as she strives for greatness in her teaching.

Looking back on 2020 and looking forward to 2021. In this special year-end episode, Nathan revisits some of the highlights of this crazy pandemic year and looks forward to ways to use what we have learned to improve our practice in 2021.

BAME PE, is a social change movement. They believe that physical education is for everybody. Therefore, everybody is welcome! In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Shrehan Lynch and Laura McBean about how we can start providing space for physical educators from minority backgrounds.

"Frisbee Rob" McLeod is a motivational speaker and frisbee ambassador with 6 Guinness World Records and 13 World Championships in frisbee. In this episode we discuss what's possible with one of the cheapest pieces of equipment in your storeroom!

Remember when you were a kid and you played outside for hours unsupervised? Climbing trees, throwing rocks and exploring the great outdoors? In this episode of the PhysEdcast, Dr. Mariana Brussoni shares how risky play is beneficial to children and why we should let our kids take back control of their play.

Jack Rolfe is the Founder of The Coaching Lab and creator of MatchPlay Cards. A learning and development business that is shaping how coaches are supported with resources and information.   Jack considers himself an explorer of the coaching world, racking up 60,000 miles seeking to learn from some of the greatest sporting environments out there including Arsenal FC, Eddie Jones at England Rugby and Pretoria Institute of Sport.

Dale Sidebottom has been referred to as the energiser bunny of the #PhysEd world. With his love of play, fun fitness, energy and passion for getting people moving, Dale has created of Jugar Life, Energetic Education as well as the top rating podcast Energetic Radio. Dale has created a unique blend of fun, teamwork, wellness and movement into his keynotes, seminars and conferences which he has presented in 20 countries around the world

Scott Robison is a physical educator and proud member of the Mvskoke/Creek Nation, but that wasn't always the case. In this episode, I chat with Scott about reconnecting with his indigenous roots and how he is working to deliver quality physical education experiences to his community.

A look back at the year of 2019, and a preview of what's to come in 2020!

Jace Ferguson is a physical educator and advocate for purposeful physical education. He is currently based in Macau and in this episode he shares his experience in trying to develop curriculum to enables students to succeed in developing their physical, sport and wellness literacy.

Carl Condliffe is a Health and PE teacher based in New Zealand who passionate about using technology to create authentic and meaningful learning experiences for his students. In this episode, we touch on how you can include elements of gamification in your teaching, as well as explore Carl's secret life as a semi-professional gamer!

Like me, Dr. Tim Fletcher, is an Australian living in Canada. He is currently an associate professor in physical education pedagogy in the Department of Kinesiology at Brock University, in St. Catherine’s, Ontario. In this conversation with Tim, we explore the Meaningful Physical Education project research and approach as well as reflected on our past experiences of Physical Education and how this shaped our teaching practices.

Through his website, ThePESpecialist.com, Ben has been able to mentor hundreds of teachers worldwide and is a media wizard. In this episode we chat about the Conflict Corner, teaching procedures, and purposeful physical education.