This session highlights how ABLE In School uses Clara, AI‑supported tool, to save educators time while enhancing instructional quality in physical education. Participants will explore how a web‑based platform aligns PE activities to any U.S. state’s adopted standards, ensuring instruction remains compliant, purposeful, and effective.
Attendees will be introduced to Clara, ABLE’s AI‑powered assistant, which allows educators to modify, adapt, or enhance any unit-based lessons in real time to meet diverse student needs, abilities, and learning environments. Through practical examples, the session will demonstrate how AI supports lesson planning, differentiation and modifications, and student engagement—while keeping educators firmly in control of instructional decisions. ABLE is a controlled, education‑aligned AI tool built specifically to support physical educators, empowering them to deliver high‑quality, inclusive instruction with greater efficiency and confidence.
Session outcomes: Understand how AI tools can reduce planning time while maintaining high‑quality, standards‑aligned physical education instruction in real time!
Physical education teachers are uniquely positioned on the front lines of student safety, often serving as the first adults to notice signs of concussion in school settings. This session empowers PE teachers with practical knowledge and actionable strategies to confidently identify, respond to, and support students with concussions. In addition, participants will learn how to proactively protect students from further injury by recognizing when to remove them from activities, implementing safe modifications, and understanding the critical role PE teachers play in preventing secondary impacts that could worsen symptoms or delay recovery.
Kiki Grenning M.S., OTR/L, CPRCS, is a Board-Certified Occupational Therapist and Certified Primitive Reflex Integration Clinical Specialist who currently serves as the Senior Brain Injury Consultant for the Colorado Department of Education. Kiki has over 12 years of experience in... Read More →
Thursday June 4, 2026 8:55am - 10:05am MDT Classroom 2
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: Tired of the same routines? So were we. This session introduces themed WODs (Workouts of the Day)—short, high-energy workouts (8–12 minutes) designed to maximize engagement and effort. The twist? Students help create them. Learn how to implement a system where students track progress, challenge themselves, and stay motivated through variety and purpose. We’ll also showcase our “Fitness Lab,” an engaging, challenge-based environment where students explore movement, build confidence, and celebrate progress. If you’re looking to increase participation, effort, and excitement in your program, this session will give you practical, ready-to-use ideas that students genuinely buy into.
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 →
HYPT (Have You Played This?) brings a hands-on, high-energy session designed to help PE educators discover and implement games that get students moving and engaged. We showcase versatile activities that are easy to learn, inclusive, and adaptable for a wide range of skill levels. Attendees will experience a variety of games in action—including Crossnet (volleyball, soccer, pickleball), Rampshot, Board Ball, Tula Ball, SkyBall, Disc It, PaddleSmash, and QB54—while learning practical ways to incorporate them into their programs. Walk away with fresh ideas, proven strategies, and ready-to-use activities that make physical education more dynamic and fun.
I am the Community Development Manager for PaddleSmash. I live in Wash Park. I have my K-12 teaching credential. I love leading sessions for willing participants!
John Wooden first taught his players how to put on their socks correctly so they would not get blisters that would hinder their progress and success. Wooden's intention was to help his players to achieve success by being proactive rather than reactive. This session is packed with research backed strategies for class management that will increase student engagement as well as facilitate student success. Take away tips and strategies to create a safe and positive learning environment for your students, all grades and all populations.
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 →
Thursday June 4, 2026 10:35am - 11:45am MDT Classroom 2
Move Through Yoga empowers students of all abilities with trauma-conscious, adaptive yoga techniques that enhance self-regulation, inclusion, and engagement. This session will explore how integrating movement, breathwork, and co-regulation into the special education classroom, and unified PE can support learning, reduce anxiety, and foster social connection among neurodiverse and physically diverse students.
Stefanie Gross is the Founder and Executive Director of Move Through Yoga, a Colorado-based nonprofit that brings trauma-conscious, adaptive yoga programming to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. Stefanie teaches adaptive yoga and educator trainings... Read More →
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 →
Thursday June 4, 2026 10:35am - 11:45am MDT Classroom 3
Flag football is growing across the US and OPEN has free resources for elementary and middle school PE programs to help students prepare to pursue their dreams on the gridiron! This activity-based session will take participants through activities in OPEN’s free Flag Football modules for grades 3-5 and 6-8. Teachers will leave with tools to teach their students passing, catching, evading opponents, basic rules, and game play so students have the confidence and competence to participate moving to high school! Join in the action to learn more about this latest trend!
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 →
This session will introduce beginners to modified lessons for teaching field hockey. A curriculum will be provided as well as grant information. Come see how you can safely implement field hockey into your curriculum. I will give modifications for safety as well as ability levels.
HI everyone: My name is Karen Marley, and I just retired in May after being in the field of Health and Physical Education for 49 years. I finished my teaching assignment at CSU Pueblo for the last 16 years teaching PETE students. I love what I do and plan on continuing to be involved in teacher prep... Read More →
Assessment in physical education is complex. Large class sizes, movement-based learning, and limited time often push grading toward “participation points” rather than meaningful evidence of student learning. This interactive, hands-on session is designed specifically for K–12 physical education teachers who want to use artificial intelligence (AI) to make assessment more efficient, more aligned to standards, and more impactful. Participants will learn practical strategies for using AI to generate standards-aligned rubrics, formative assessments, and cognitive and affective learning checks. Through guided demonstrations and structured practice, teachers will apply effective prompting techniques to create tools tailored to their own upcoming units. The session will also demonstrate how AI can assist with analyzing skill progress, identifying trends in student data, and informing instructional decisions. Importantly, this workshop emphasizes ethical, safe, and responsible AI use in schools—protecting student privacy while maintaining teacher judgment and professional expertise. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use prompts, templates, and clear boundaries for implementation, ensuring AI enhances, rather than replaces, high-quality physical education teaching and learning.
Professor of PE & PA Leadership, University of Northern Colorado
Jennifer Krause is a Professor of Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership at the University of Northern Colorado. Teaching and research interests include technology preparation for pre-service teachers and promoting physical activity in K-12 schools.
How do we make every PE class a laboratory for belonging, agency, and prosocial behavior? In this highly interactive session, participants experience and unpack a practical framework that braids Teaching Personal & Social Responsibility (TPSR) levels, and SEL competencies to meet SHAPE America’s personal & social behavior standard—all while keeping kids joyfully active. You’ll analyze common PE tasks for embedded SEL opportunities, rehearse positive teacher language, and layer management structures that turn routines into relationship builders. Walk away with ready to use activities, conflict resolution protocols, and quick check tools students can use to self assess behavior and growth.
Cindy Kuhrasch, Distinguished Teaching Faculty (UW–Madison) — specializes in standards based, skills forward PE with embedded social and emotional learning (SEL); developer of practical teacher tools that merge SEL and SHAPE standards for inclusive, high engagement learning.
The first two weeks of school don’t just start the year—they define it. This session provides educators with a clear, intentional plan to build a strong classroom culture from day one. You’ll experience engaging, student-centered activities that foster belonging, encourage participation, and build meaningful connections early. In addition, you’ll learn simple, effective systems for quickly learning student names—one of the most powerful tools for creating trust and connection. Leave with a practical blueprint to start your year with purpose, build momentum early, and create a classroom environment where students feel seen, valued, and ready to succeed.
This session will review daily routines teachers can implement to support students throughout their elementary school experience. These routines not only strengthen classroom management and student accountability, but also support ongoing assessment and help teachers better understand student learning.
I've been teaching for over 20 years and have experience working with students at every grade level. Fourteen years ago, I discovered my passion for elementary education, where he focuses on creating engaging learning environments that help students grow academically and personally... Read More →
Thursday June 4, 2026 2:25pm - 3:35pm MDT Classroom 3
Using RAMP warm-up principles, we can close the gap between the end of a warm-up and beginning of a performance, as student performances respond better if their systems are appropriately activated. The RAMP warm-up also incorporates fundamental movement skills, foundational skills, and movement competencies as they enhance overall student development.
Chris Hecht, MA, CSCS*D, RSCC*E is a veteran physical educator and strength & conditioning coach with more than 26 years of teaching and coaching experience and 30 years of athletic development expertise. He has coached youth athletes across seven sports supporting students from grades... Read More →
