Best MAHPERD Podcasts (2025)

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A conversation with Brad Hunter: National APE Teacher Of The Year! 48:06

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1M ago48:06

48:06

Send us a text As the 2025 Shape America National Adapted PE Teacher of the Year, Brad brings a refreshing perspective to adaptive physical education. Rather than focusing on what students can't do, he zeroes in on what standards are truly asking students to learn. "When you start opening yourself up to what am I actually being asked to teach the s…

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Movement as Medicine: Dance PL3Y 26:23

2M ago26:23

26:23

Send us a text Melanie Levenberg's journey from P.E. teacher to global movement educator is inspiring. She reimagined her relationship with movement, eventually creating Dance PL3Y—a program that has transformed physical education for over 4.1 million children across 13 countries. What makes Melanie's approach unique is her philosophy. Rather than …

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Teaching For Health, Movement, and Connection 46:37

2M ago46:37

46:37

Send us a text What happens when a physical education teacher prioritizes relationships over rules and student choice over standardized instruction? Nick Morse, a health and physical education teacher at Hartnett Middle School, reveals how his innovative approach is transforming how students experience physical and health education. Nick's journey …

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The Human Element: Building Trust Through Project Adventure 21:55

3M ago21:55

21:55

Send us a text Meet Adam Joyce, a passionate Project Adventure teacher who's transforming physical education at Watertown High School. Coming from a family of educators , Adam discovered his calling after initially pursuing history education. Today, he's dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that teach students crucial life skills through ex…

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From Dance Studio to Third Grade: A Teacher's Journey 17:29

3M ago17:29

17:29

Send us a text When passion meets purpose, learning transforms. Tiana's story begins at sixteen, teaching ballet, tap, and jazz to preschoolers and special education dance classes—experiences that kindled her love for teaching long before formal education training. Now teaching third grade in East Hartford, Connecticut, she brings this dance backgr…

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Purposeful PE: Insights on a quality program 33:10

3M ago33:10

33:10

Send us a text When you think of physical education, do you picture students mindlessly kicking balls around a gymnasium while a teacher blows a whistle? Dave Carney is on a mission to transform that outdated perception. With 14 years + of PE teaching experience following nine years in the classroom, Dave brings deep insight into what makes physica…

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The Power of Connection: Meet Maria Melchionda, MAHPERDS Executive Director 32:32

3M ago32:32

32:32

Send us a text 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 or…

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Access for all through Innovative P.E. 32:25

3M ago32:25

32:25

Send us a text 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 un…

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Trailer... 1:27

3M ago1:27

1:27

Send us a text 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 wh…

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Breathing Life into PE Class : A Teacher's Journey 35:19

4M ago35:19

35:19

Send us a text 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 i…

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Digital Resources, Leadership, and Advocacy in PE: 54:17

4M ago54:17

54:17

Send us a text 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 ho…

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From Billboard to Breakthrough: An Educator's Journey 26:42

5M ago26:42

26:42

Send us a text 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 …

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Dr. Glencross's Journey 31:16

5M ago31:16

31:16

Send us a text 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 sc…

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From Rugby Coach to Professor: One Educator's Route to Success 37:44

5M ago37:44

37:44

Send us a text 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 Sch…

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Health Education Leadership: From The Classroom to Director's Chair 46:22

6M ago46:22

46:22

Send us a text 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 wellbe…

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Outdoor Education: Transforming Lives Through Adventure 44:42

6M ago44:42

44:42

Send us a text 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 advent…

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Assessment: The Untapped Power in Physical Education 47:22

6M ago47:22

47:22

Send us a text 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 ac…

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Saying Yes: How Embracing Opportunities Shapes P.E. Careers 31:39

6M ago31:39

31:39

Send us a text 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 move…

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Coaching PE Teachers: Insights from an Instructional Expert 52:36

6M ago52:36

52:36

Send us a text 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 …

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Moving Lives, Changing Futures 45:04

6M ago45:04

45:04

Send us a text 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 e…

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Health Education Evolution 16:36

7M ago16:36

16:36

Send us a text 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…