I teach physical education at Montbello High School. I have been teaching for 2 years and I love to see my students have that ah ha moment during every unit.
What if students weren’t just participating, but owning their learning? This session shows how a choice-based approach can increase motivation, deepen engagement, and align with SHAPE America Standards and SEL competencies. Explore how student autonomy drives meaningful participation, strengthens equity, and amplifies student voice. Learn how offering choice in activities, roles, and assessments builds accountability and excitement without sacrificing structure or rigor. Walk away with practical strategies, real classroom examples, and tools for goal setting, reflection, and progress tracking, so you can reimagine your curriculum and create a more energized, student-driven PE experience.
Ever look at the clock and think, "there's still 20 minutes left?!" In this session, you'll learn some developmentally appropriate activities to support young children in physical education. We'll explore how to expand and modify games and activities to reach every learner through the lens of "play".
I teach physical education at Stephen Knight Center for Early Education and a PE Team Specialist in Denver Public Schools. I just finished my 20th year teaching young children! I love teaching young children the value of health and physical activity and providing joyful experiences... Read More →
This session introduces practical tools and teaching strategies to support multilingual learners in physical education. Participants will engage with examples of visual supports, movement-based instruction, and inclusive communication strategies that help multilingual students access learning and feel a sense of belonging in PE.
Sheyla Martinez is a physical education lecturer at SUNY Brockport, where she teaches courses in physical education and adapted physical education. She has more than 10 years of experience in the field, including five years teaching in Colorado. She is also a doctoral candidate whose... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:55am - 10:05am MDT Classroom 3
This interactive session will explore how to design and deliver high-impact K–12 physical education experiences that move beyond participation and toward true student engagement and empowerment. Grounded in SHAPE America standards and aligned to Colorado Academic Standards, participants will experience instructional strategies that integrate skill development, student voice, and meaningful assessment.
Through a combination of modeled instruction, small-group collaboration, and reflection, educators will explore practical ways to structure lessons that improve engagement, differentiate for diverse learners, and build lifelong physical literacy. Participants will leave with adaptable frameworks and ready-to-use strategies that can be applied across grade levels and content areas.
Alex Relph is the Co-Founder of PLT4M, where he partners with K–12 schools nationwide to support engaging and effective health and physical education programs. Alex works closely with teachers and districts to design curriculum, lead professional development, and bring innovative... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:35am - 11:45am MDT Gym 2
Experience the new SPIRIT Heart Rate Monitors firsthand in a fast-paced, high-energy game that transforms student heartbeats into meaningful insights. See how real-time, personalized feedback motivates students to move more, while helping you manage your class with ease and teach smarter. SPIRIT turns effort into achievement by making data visible, actionable, and easy to understand—for both students and teachers. Whether you're looking to increase accountability, engagement, or excitement in your program, SPIRIT delivers purpose-driven tools that bring structure, motivation, and energy to PE. Don’t miss this interactive session that redefines what’s possible in physical education
I’m Lisa Rothstein, and for the past 10 years I’ve been working with schools to bring heart rate technology into PE programs. Before that, I was a kindergarten teacher, which is where my love for working with students—and the educators who inspire them—really began. I come... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:35am - 11:45am MDT Gym 3
Part 1: This session begins by addressing the growing responsibility placed on PE teachers and youth coaches to lead resistance and strength training programs—often without formal training. Participants will explore why strength and conditioning must be educational, student centered, and developmentally appropriate, rather than exclusively performance focused. Emphasis is placed on grounding instruction in scientific principles, student interests, and long-term physical development and enjoyment. Key topics include effective class management and organization, establishing a safe training environment, embedding technique instruction into lessons, and promoting physical literacy through clear routines, progressions, and expectations. Structured resistance training is framed as a tool for learning, confidence building, and engagement—not just physical outcomes.
This session explores effective language acquisition strategies tailored for the physical education environment to support our emergent multilingual learners (EMLs). With movement-rich settings offering a natural context for language development, PE teachers are uniquely positioned to reinforce both academic and social language. Participants will learn practical, low-prep strategies that integrate physical activity with intentional language supports -- such as visual cues, structured routines, modeling, and student talk opportunities. The session will highlight how aligning instruction with content and language objectives not only boosts engagement but also creates a more inclusive and equitable learning experience. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools that foster comprehension, participation, and confidence for EMLs, without sacrificing the integrity of their PE program. Whether you're new to supporting multilingual learners or looking to enhance your current practices, this session provides actionable approaches that make language acquisition a natural part of every PE class.
Jennifer Rushin is a K–12 Instructional Specialist for Physical Education with Montgomery County Public Schools in Rockville, Maryland. With 24 years in education, she spent 12 years teaching elementary math before transitioning into physical education, where she has worked for... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:35am - 11:45am MDT Classroom 3
This session is to share different instant activities and how you can connect SEL to them. Along with how to adapt so all ability levels can be included. While also demonstrating some Paralympic Games and how they connect to SEL.
My name is Makenzie Stevenson and I teach K-5 Physical Education at Olander Elementary School in the Poudre School District. I have been teaching for four years. I also coach at the Middle School and High School levels. I love movement, inclusion and giving kids the tools to be life... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:35am - 11:45am MDT Gym 1
The sports officiating shortage is a major issue impacting education-based athletics nationwide. By working with schools like yours, we at RefReps are on a mission to create a more sustainable future for all sports at all levels!
RefReps (www.refreps.com) is an education technology company that provides curriculum, coursework, and support materials to equip high schools to teach Intro to Sports Officiating as an elective class to students during their curricular day. To date, over 1,025 high schools across 47 states have already started teaching with us!
The primary focus of this presentation is to share how schools can achieve the necessary approvals and then properly implement RefReps' Intro to Sports Officiating Education classes into their curricular offerings. We will share strategies for implementation, composition of the curriculum, results that have been achieved, and details related to the academic rigor involved in the class.
Trey Zabona- Trey is part of the RefReps team, working with schools, athletic programs, officiating associations, and professional sports teams to introduce and grow officiating education. His focus is on helping students develop leadership, confidence, and career-ready skills through... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:45pm - 1:55pm MDT Classroom 2
Design a playlist with intention to creating a multi-sensory learning experiences for all learners. The concept of using music in PE is not a new one; YES! it is motivating! However, intentionally selecting your music can greatly enhance student outcomes for fitness, movement, gross and fine motor skills as well as emotional/social experiences. Participants will be given strategies to deliver content utilizing multiple modes of learning and intelligences of learning, that incorporates music throughout. Create a playlist that serves as your lesson plan.
Adapted and General ED Physical Education, Musical Plus
Carrie Flint is an award-winning PE specialist (general and adapted) from California with 30 years of experience. She is the past president for the SHAPE America Western District and one of the national trainers for the SHAPE America PE Standards and APE. She has taught in numerous... Read More →
Using Netball America's in-class tools and techniques to suit all class sizes and ability levels, grades K-12 PE teachers can introduce the international sport of Netball as a safe, coed, inclusive and no-contact transition to basketball, ultimate frisbee or other invasion games. Players are restricted to zones on the court, no dribbling and no contact, therefore Netball teaches spatial awareness, off ball movement, timing, body control and hand-eye coordination. Teachers will get hands on experience learning the skills, and how they can adapt the game with the equipment and space sizing they have.
Join Austin Olson (Pacific Trails Middle School, San Dieguito Union High School District) was recognized by the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America as the 2024 SHAPE America Western District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Previously honored as the 2023 California Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by CAHPERD, he was a finalist for 2024 SHAPE America National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
In this session: What if your students did most of the thinking, leading, and learning? In this session, you’ll discover how to transform your middle school classroom into a student-led environment where engagement and ownership thrive. Through purposeful, interactive strategies, you’ll learn how to shift from being the center of instruction to a facilitator of meaningful learning experiences. Walk away with practical tools to empower students to think critically, collaborate effectively, take on leadership roles, and reflect on both their own growth and the work of their peers. When students take the lead, the energy, creativity, and accountability in your classroom will rise.
Austin Olson (Pacific Trails Middle School, San Dieguito Union High School District) was recognized by the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America as the 2024 SHAPE America Western District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Previously honored as the 2023... Read More →
You don’t have to be a dancer to rock dance in PE—just bring energy and a willingness to try! In this session, a PE teacher with limited dance skills shares simple, confidence-building strategies for introducing dance through accessible movement and creative exploration. See how student voice and choice come to life through group choreography and explore practical examples of using AI to support lesson planning, creativity, and engagement.
Before accepting his role as Professional Development Director 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... Read More →
Part 2 focuses on practical strategies for implementation within PE and youth sport settings. Participants will examine how to individualize programming, manage diverse ability levels, and integrate S&C into a physical literacy pathway and developmental framework that supports competence, motivation, and lifelong physical activity. The session will highlight how poorly structured or age-inappropriate training contributes to injury and student disengagement—and how intentional organization and inclusive practices can counter these risks. Time will be dedicated to self-program evaluation, allowing participants to reflect on their current practices, identify strengths and gaps, and develop actionable next steps to improve instruction, safety, and meaningful participation for all students.
Physical education teachers play an important role in supporting student health and wellness beyond physical activity. This interactive session will demonstrate how Aurora Public Schools has incorporated vaping prevention education into physical education classes through rotating learning stations. Participants will explore practical strategies that PE teachers can use to address vaping, nicotine addiction, and healthy decision-making while keeping students active and engaged.
Presenters will share how prevention stations were implemented during PE classes, how students interacted with the activities, and how this approach supports broader school wellness initiatives. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use station ideas, discussion prompts, and practical tools that can easily be adapted in their own PE classes to promote student awareness and healthy choices.
I work with Aurora Public Schools supporting student wellness and substance prevention initiatives across multiple schools. Together with my colleague, Haley Foster, I help implement programs and activities that promote healthy decision-making and increase student awareness around... Read More →
Talentlockr helps coaches easily measure and track and develop student athlete performance through accessible powered AI technology. Our real time dashboard gives coaches an easy way to monitor performance data and pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in core fitness fundamentals.
