| Presenter | Bio | Title |
| Nicole Benedict | Nicole Benedict loves to combine physical fitness with holistic care. She worked as an occupational therapist for seven years before teaching at the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center, and now the North Dakota State Penitentiary. | Yoga for Social and Emotional Learning |
| Brian Devore | Before accepting his role as Professional Development Manager for OPEN, Brian Devore had over 25 years of exemplary teaching experience at the middle and elementary levels. Additionally, he supervised online HPE programs for the Cobb County school district and served as Fulton County Schools Health and Physical Education Coordinator. In 2013-14, Brian was named Cobb County’s Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Georgia AHPERD’s Elementary PE TOY, and Southern District SHAPE America Elementary PE TOY. Most recently, he was the recipient of the first OPEN National Trainer Impact Award for his service and dedication to OPEN. In 2005, Devore was named Georgia’s Middle School PE Teacher of the Year. Along with his current position, Brian is a two-time Georgia AHPERD President, Georgia AHPERD’s Social Media Director/Webmaster, OPEN National Trainer, and SHAPE America Southern District Past President. | “Spec-tech-ular” Teaching Tools for Health and Physical Literacy! |
| Sarah Gietschier-Hartman | Sarah Gietschier-Hartman teaches high school health and physical education in Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. She was named the 2018 SHAPE America National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Sarah is a member of the SHAPE America Emerging Leaders Innovation Team (ELIT) and co-hosts #ItsKindaLate with Sarah and Lisa. When she’s not teaching, you can Sarah baking, hiking, or playing outside with her husband, Justin, and sons, Joey and Max. | HealthEd Students Love Activities |
| Lisa Smith | Lisa Smith is a Health, Physical Education and DAPE Teacher at Lakeville South High School, in Lakeville Minnesota. She was the 2017 MNSHAPE High School Physical Education TOY, is the immediate MNSHAPE Past-President, and sits on the SHAPE America Central District Leadership Committee and the SHAPE America EDI Committee. Lisa received her bachelor’s degrees from Winona State University and did her Master’s work at the University of Northern Iowa. Lisa’s professional values place focus on inclusive strategies in HPE, the new MN standards, and elevating understanding of the needs of all our students. When she isn’t teaching, coaching softball, or attending/presenting at conferences, her passions include DIY projects, spending quality time with friends and family, co-hosting #ItsKindaLate with Sarah & Lisa, and traveling around the world looking for the best places to put her toes in the sand. | HealthEd Students Love Activities |
| Kelsey Higginson | Kelsey Higginson is a professor of Physical Education Teacher Education at Minot State University. She enjoyed teaching physical education so that she could teach others about the joy of the human body in movement. She decided to pursue PETE so that she could help all physical education teachers become better. | Adventure-based Learning- a great way to build community! Developing standard-based assessments – Do not reinvent the wheel! |
| Yung-Ju “Ruth” Chen | Dr. Chen is an assistant professor at the Department of Teacher Education and Kinesiology at Minot State University. Her areas of expertise are content and methods for elementary physical education, motor development, and adapted physical education. She is currently teaching KIN340 (elementary methods) and KIN341 (elementary practicum) at Minot State University. Before she arrived at Minot State, Dr. Chen instructed the elementary physical education content course at Ohio State University. Using the backward design, she taught teacher candidates to develop standard-based and goal-driven learning activities and student-centered assessments for K-5 physical education. | Adventure-based Learning- a great way to build community! Developing standard-based assessments – Do not reinvent the wheel! |
| Becky Foellmer | Becky Foellmer has a BA in Math and a BS & MS in Physical Education. Formerly a middle school Mathematics teacher, Computer teacher and coach, Becky has most recently served as an Instructional/Technology Coach. Becky has presented numerous PE and Technology PD sessions, workshops & trainings locally & at the state and national level. She has authored Breakout EDU games and Hyperdocs for HPE. Becky, also, currently serves as the Northeastern District IAHPERD Past President, is a Shape America Delegate and is co-creator of cbhpe.org. | Flippity in HPE |
| Mark Foellmer | Mark Foellmer was a MS PE teacher for over 20 years. He was the 2019 IAHPERD President and serves on SHAPEAmerica Midwest Leadership Council. He is currently the President-elect of the Northeastern District of IAHPERD. Mark has presented at numerous state & national conventions & is the 2018 IAHPERD & Shape Midwest District MS PE TOY. Mark is the creator of #iahperdchat and co-creator of cbhpe.org. | Flippity in HPE |
| Megan McCollom | Megan is in her 8th year of teaching. She has taught DAPE and Special Education in the Robbinsdale Area Schools for 7 years and was a technology training specialist at De Anza College in California for one year. Megan received her Bachelor’s Degrees from St. Cloud State University and her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Megan is currently the SHAPE America Central District Director and the MNSHAPE Webmaster. | Incorporating the health.moves.minds Curriculum and Fundraiser into Your School |
| Dr. Joe Deutsch | Dr. Deutsch is a Professor in Physical Education Teacher Education and Coaching at North Dakota State University. He has taught his entire higher educational career at NDSU (16 years) and previously taught at all levels of public school education (elementary, middle school, and high school), including being a head varsity boys basketball, girls basketball, and boys and girls track coach, before joining the ranks of higher education. Over the years Dr. Deutsch has served the profession and NAHKE in several ways, including serving on committees and as a reviewer for the International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education. He also serves as the Governor of Americas for the International Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Dance & Sport and previously served as the Commissioner of Recreation for the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation Sport and Dance. He has also served as the president of North Dakota SHAPE and is the current Past-President of SHAPE America – Central District. Dr. Deutsch has recently focused his research on emotional intelligence and emotional leadership as social-emotional learning has continued to be a focus for everyone as we navigate through the current pandemic. He has delivered numerous international, national, regional, state, and local presentations on this topic among others over his career and has over 40 refereed publications either in print or accepted for publication. In his spare time, Dr. Deutsch serves as a publically elected member of the Fargo Park Board (14 years) and loves spending time with his family (wife Brandi and sons Andy, Jake, and Jackson) and coaching his son’s sports teams. | Incorporating the health.moves.minds Curriculum and Fundraiser into Your School |
| Jessica Matheson | Jessica is a health and physical education teacher at Rockford High School in Rockford, Minnesota. Jessica is the 2020 MNSHAPE Health Education Teacher of the Year and was on the 2017 Minnesota Physical Education Standards Review Committee. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, School Health, and Developmental/Adaptive Physical Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato and is currently pursuing her Master of Education degree in Positive Coaching and Athletic Leadership at the University of Missouri, Mizzou. Jessica has presented at MNSHAPE conferences and Phys Ed Connections and is an active participant in workshops and conferences across the country. Jessica thrives on writing curriculum and has developed eight different courses in high school health and physical education as well as online physical education. She is very active in social media, sharing lessons, assessments, and curriculum suggestions. In addition to teaching health and physical education, Jessica also teaches AVID and an IB MYP curriculum. Jessica resides in Chanhassen, Minnesota with her husband, three children, and Weimaraner. Twitter Follow → @CoachMatheson | Instructional Strategies for Teaching Online |
| Debra VanKlei | Deb Van Klei has been a physical education and health teacher for 25 years primarily in Stillwater Area Public Schools. In her tenure at Stillwater Area Public schools she has led professional development, curriculum writing and brought over $2 million dollars in grant funding to support the growth of physical education to the schools and community. Deb is a 2017 Paul Schmidt MN SHAPE award winner, and been a part of Minnesota Department of Education team developing MN Physical Education Standards/Benchmarks and a MNSHAPE Board member.. She has presented regionally and nationally and is an OPEN National Trainer that is passionate about sharing the importance of physical literacy for our kids! | Instructional Strategies for Teaching Online |
| Judy LoBianco | Judy LoBianco has been a Supervisor of Health and PE for 17 years and is a 2013 National Supervisor of the Year. A Past President of SHAPE America, Judy has conducted countless interviews for K-12 candidates in health and physical education. | Interviewing With Confidence |
| Mike Martinez | Mike Martinez has spent the last 12 years delivering high quality physical education to the students of New York City. This, coupled with presenting at the local, state and National levels led Mike to being named an OPEN National Trainer in 2017. When not talking shop with fellow PE teachers, Mike loves spending quality time on the golf course, at the beach and with his wife, Sara and son, Mason. | Morning Keynote Keeping the EDUCATION in Physical Education: Tech Tips for Remote PE and BEYOND! |
| Kelly Zerby | I have been teaching for 22 years in the DeKalb School District. I am currently the Vice President of Children for IAHPERD (Illinois), and the district PE coordinator. I love presenting with my Fab 4 friends as the and travelling the USA to do so. We have presented at the National SHAPE PE convention several times, and also at the California, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana and Wisconsin state conventions. I love dancing, cardio drumming, and basketball. I also love to create activities for ELA and math for the PE environment. I have a Masters in Administration and a Masters in Literacy with a bilingual emphasis both from Northern Illinois University.. My school has a Blue Ribbon for physical education excellence. I am proud to be a mentor, Wellness Committee chair, and Evaluation team member at the district level. | Let’s Play! Total engagement for in-person and remote learners! Teaching Dance to your own beat |
| Cindie Cortinas Vogt | Cindie Cortinas has 22 years of teaching experience. She has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in both rural and suburban districts as well as public and private school settings. Most recently, Cindie was a full-time instructor at Northern Illinois University working with the teacher education program within the KNPE Department. She is currently an adjunct instructor at Elgin Community College. Cindie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Illinois State University in 1996 where she was awarded Student Teacher of the Year. In 2012, she received her Master of Art in Pedagogy and Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Literacy Elementary Education. Her interests and research include elementary physical education curriculum and instruction as well as academic integration. She has been presenting at state conventions on academic integration for the past six years and National conferences for the past two. Cindie has two teenage children and enjoys going and watching them participate in their perspective sports; track and field and soccer. In her free time she enjoys spending time in her yard gardening, biking, and running. | Let’s Play! Total engagement for in-person and remote learners! |
| Bo Phillips | I have been teaching Elementary P.E. for 18 years in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. I currently serve as Vice President of Children for IAHPERD and have presented many times over the years at the annual conference in St. Charles. I am excited to join the Illinois Fab 4 in presenting at various conferences across the United States. The passion of the Illinois Fab 4 is one of a kind and one that I share and look forward to sharing with many P.E. professionals going forward. I have a Masters in Administration and Supervision and even served one year as Assistant Principal in my building. Every year my teaching continues to grow through connections made via Twitter, conferences and workshops and just being a part of the P.E. community in Illinois and others that continue to share and drive one another to improve. I enjoy traveling and golfing with my wife and playing with my dog. | Let’s Play! Total engagement for in-person and remote learners! |
| Shannon M Maly | Shannon Maly has taught Physical Education and Health at the Middle and High School levels the past 18 years. She is currently teaching at Sun Prairie High School, located in southern Wisconsin, where she strives to find new and innovative activities to encourage her students to be active and find fun in lifetime fitness. Shannon is currently representing her state organization as the High School Vice President for WHPE. In October, she was recognized as the 2020 Wisconsin High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year & 2021 Midwest District Teacher of the Year. The past five years she has been presenting nationally as an OPEN National Trainer on dance, fitness assessments, and the OPENphysed curriculum. Her professional interests are in technology integration, curriculum development and advocating for quality programs. Outside of school, Shannon loves being outdoors as much as possible, camping, kayaking, hiking, and exploring with her family. | Making it Official: Teaching Sports Officiating in your Schools |
| Tanner Roos | Tanner Roos is the 2021 SHAPE America Central District Elementary PE Teacher of the Year. He teaches at Linn Grove Elementary School in the Linn-Mar Community School District where he was awarded the Iowa AHPERD Elementary PE Teacher of the Year award in 2019. Roos is a member of the OPEN National Training team, as well as the co-host of the popular #LetsTalkPhysEd talk show. | Maximize Physical Education: Engaging Students Bell-to-Bell |
| Kyle Bragg | Kyle Bragg is a National Board Certified Teacher, as well as the 2020 Shape America Western District Elementary PE Teacher of the Year. He is the Advocacy Chair for the Arizona Health and Physical Education Association. He received his bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University and his master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. Kyle integrates both technology and Social Emotional Learning to create developmentally appropriate lessons, which allow students to experience success and improve their physical literacy. Follow him on Twitter @ElemPE1. | Maximize Physical Education: Engaging Students Bell-to-Bell |
| Dr. Kanae Haneishi | Haneishi is originally from Tokyo, Japan and has been living in the U.S. for almost 20 years. After graduating Juntendo University and completing the Teacher Education program for Physical Education and Special Education in Japan, she has completed the first master’s degree in Exercise Science from University of Memphis and the second master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Studies from Smith College. While coaching women’s soccer/football as a head coach and teaching Physical Education at Mount Holyoke College, she has completed the doctoral degree (Ed.D.) from University of Massachusetts Amherst under Dr. Linda Griffin’s guidance. After coaching soccer/football at the college level for 17 years, Haneishi has recently accepted a new position as an Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Human Performance at Valley City State University in North Dakota, U.S.A. On the site note, Haneishi was an accomplished soccer players. She has won the NCAA National Championship with Christian Brothers University in 2002, and she has also won the Silver Medal at the World University Games with the Japanese National team in 2003. She was the team captain for New York Magic, the semi-pro team in New York City, for 6 years. Haneishi’s teaching/coaching and research interest has been focused on Game Centered Approach in coaching. She has published/presented about Game Centered Approach on various perspectives (i.e., coaching and girls’ in sport) at international conferences such as TGfU, AIESEP, IWG, and IAPESGW. As she is transitioning into a more teaching role with the new position, she is excited to get actively involved in the national organizations in the U.S. such as SHAPE America and the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE). Additionally, her new teaching responsibilities include Physical Education, Health Education, as well as Adapted Physical Education. | Mental Health During Covid-19 |
| Taylon A Sad | I am originally from Lisbon, North Dakota and graduated from Lisbon High School in 2017. I am currently a senior at Valley City State University majoring in physical and health education with a certificate in athletic coaching. I will be student teaching and coaching this spring. I am on the VCSU track and field team and a fundraising co-chair for the VCSU SHAPE club. I previously was a secretary and treasurer for the VCSU SHAPE club. | Mental Health During Covid-19 |
| Holly Alperin | Holly Alperin, EdM, MCHES, has over 20 years’ experience in both public health and education. 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. Assuming the role of Program Coordinator in Summer 2021, she teaches courses, works to recruit and retain students, and seeks to work with program faculty to assess programmatic strengths to ensure a high quality experience for students. 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 physical education and physical activity. Through work at the local, state, national and international levels she supports the implementation of a skills-based approach in health education and provides support to schools as they create a culture of health and well-being for all students. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, written on the subject of health education and school health programs, and presents on a variety of school-health and wellness related topics. She is currently a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, serves as the Chair of the Health Education Council for SHAPE America, and has served as the VP for Health Education in her local NHAHPERD organization. Ms. Alperin received her Ed.M. in Policy, Planning and Administration from Boston University, her B.S. in Health Education/Health Promotion from Central Michigan University, and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). She lives in Atkinson, NH with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys being outdoors, rejuvenating at the beach or in the mountains, no matter the season. | Mental Health the Skills-Based Way Skills-Based Health Education 101 |
| Sarah Benes | Dr. Sarah Benes is an Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Health Sciences at Merrimack College. Dr. Benes teaches a variety of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in health sciences, does service projects in local communities, and conducts research on health education and physical activity in schools. Dr. Benes was the program director for physical and health education programs at Boston University for six years before coming to Merrimack College. She has three published books, numerous publications in refereed journals and has written chapters examining health education, social justice and equity in health education and trauma informed perspectives; she has also made more than a dozen presentations on skills-based health education and related topics at state, regional and national conferences. Sarah is currently serving on the Board of Directors of SHAPE America and is the former vice president of health education for the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Dr. Benes consults with school districts on health and wellness issues, with a focus on skills-based curriculum development and implementation. She is a certified health education specialist, a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, a Certified Yoga Instructor, and a member of SHAPE America. Sarah received a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in education from Boston University, and a doctorate in curriculum and teaching from Boston University; she recently completed her master of public health degree. | Mental Health the Skills-Based Way Skills-Based Health Education 101 |
| Jenny Linker | Dr. Linker is an associate professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences specializing in physical education teacher education at North Dakota State University. She is the current Program Coordinator for NDSU’s Health and Physical Education programs and online graduate Leadership in Physical Education and Sport Master’s program. Her expertise includes physical education curriculum development and instructional methods, Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) implementation, the Sport Education and Adventure Education instructional models, and integration of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and trauma-informed practices within physical education curriculum and practice. During her tenure at NDSU she founded the NDSU Let’s Move in Homeschool service-learning program (Director since 2012) and is a Co-Developer of and Trainer for SchoolsAlive! (initiative to promote and implement CSPAPs). Dr. Linker has also served as a Content Expert for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction’s 2015 North Dakota PE Content Standards Committee and was a Co-Developer of the consequent state-wide physical education standards training program, Game On! Dr. Linker has received several teaching awards including the 2013 NDSU Faculty Service Learning Award, the 2015 NDSHAPE North Dakota College/University Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award, 2016 NDSHAPE Exemplary Program of the Year, 2016 NDSU Mortar Board’s Preferred Professor Award, and 2020 NDSU Peltier Award for Teaching Innovation. She has experience working with students at all levels (Pre-K through college) and has held various leadership roles including: Head Start Body Start Physical Activity Consultant, Assistant Director of the University of Illinois Sports Fitness Summer Recreation Program, and Head Collegiate Coach of three women’s rugby teams (Holy Cross, Springfield College, and Mount Holyoke). Dr. Linker has provided over 200 presentations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. Dr. Linker taught middle school physical education for four years in Massachusetts. Her education includes a B.S. in Communication Disorders and Psychology, B.S. in Physical Education, M.S. in Physical Education and PhD in Kinesiology with a concentration in physical education teacher education. | Physical Education – A Premier MTSS Tier I Support |
| Mike Morris | Mike Morris is an energetic and dynamic elementary physical education teacher in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He currently teaches at Baskerville Elementary School and Red Oak Elementary School. His passion includes sharing ideas with others, creating new and innovative physical education activities, and collaborating with content area teachers to find ways to best teach struggling students through movement. Mike is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. | Remote Learning & Physical Education! Engaging students in an Online Learning Environment! |
| Bill Casey | Bill Casey is currently the Department Chair for P.E., Health and Driver Education at Neuqua Valley High School located in Naperville, Illinois. Bill has taught at every grade level (K-12) and is in his 29th year of teaching overall. He is very active in Illinois AHPERD by taking a part in setting up the annual convention as well as managing all the technology used by the organization. His school piloted the Health.Moves.Minds. program at the high school level in the 2018-2019 school year and ran it again the following school year | SEL and health.moves.minds. High School Version |
| Kevin Lau | Kevin Lau is an elementary Phys Ed teacher from New York City. He favors implementing technology in his PE space. He began using gifs several years ago and have fully maximized on the possibilities on video making and interactive content creation using gifs and google slides. He’s always been a big fan of technology and enjoys using the green screen for his current PE curriculum. | Thrive with GIFS and Visual Appealing Google Slides |
| Gustave Karagrozis | Gustave Karagrozis is a Physical Education for NYC DOE. He is currently teaching at PS133 in Bellerose, Queens. He is passionate about teaching and loves putting the time in to make his lessons energized. He spends lots of time incorporating technology into his lessons. He loves creating GIFs and using Google Slides to catch the students attention. He loves to THRIVE! He has presented for the following: NYS AHPERD Virtual Zoom Conference “Google Slides and Flip Grid 101”, Office of School Wellness Programs Think Move Achieve Conference “Strategies, Structure, and Activities for Large PE Classes” x2 and “GIFs in PE”. | Thrive with GIFS and Visual Appealing Google Slides |
| Dr. Kymm Ballard | Dr. Ballard teaches at Campbell University and is the Health and Physical Education Teacher Education Coordinator. Her work experiences in education, nonprofit and corporations provide her with the unique qualifications for any role. Dr. Ballard is most recognized by her passion and advocacy for health and physical education. Her work on policy and legislation are driven by her desire to make a difference in this profession. She has attended all but one of the SPEAK Out days due to sickness. Kymm currently sits on the SHAPE America Board of Directors as well as the RMC Health Board in Colorado. She also serves as the Shape America Board Liaison to the Professional Preparation Committee. Kymm also spent nearly 9 with Sportime / SPARK in and was a liaison to SHAPE America in negotiating agreements in the final years with Sportime. Prior to this she server on the NASPE Board and Served as the NASPE Public Relations Committee Chair. She was a team lead on the first writing team for the SHAPE America Document, | Tips for New Teachers |
| Dr. Penny Veit-Hetletved | Dr. Penny Veit-Hetletved is one of eight Licensed Level Three Instructors to the Mental Management System–lifetime educator, superintendent, and athlete and coach…now she makes it her mission to teach the mental management system to all that cross her path in a search for excellence. This is the additional athlete perspective that was featured on KXTV | Mental Management System |
| Brandon Wolff | An accomplished teacher, coach and educational leader in Kansas, Brandon was an IHT customer and advisor before joining IHT. As both Account Manager and Customer Success Manager, he works closely with teachers, schools, and districts to maximize and expand their use of IHT. In 2014, Brandon was named the Kansas Middle School Teacher of the Year and 2015 SHAPE America Central District Middle School Teacher of the Year. In his free time, he shares time with his family and you can find him most weekends at a wedding or party, serving as a wedding officiant and professional DJ. | Remote-Hybrid-On-Site IHT Heart Rate Solutions For You |
| Eric Larson | Eric is responsible for new business development and territory management in the Southwest, West and Southeast regions for Interactive Health Technologies (IHT). A Colorado resident, Eric followed a distinguished 35-year career with the Denver Public Schools serving as the National PE and Physical Activity Advisor with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation before joining IHT. With the Denver Schools, Eric served as an award-winning educator, both as a PE teacher and administrator. Eric is an accomplished baseball and softball coach, as well as a basketball referee, officiating women’s college games, including the 2003 Women’s Final Four. He’s an avid golfer in his free time. | Increase Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity |
