Distinguished Physical Education Podcast Episodes

#12 - Assessment in Physical Education with Jen Smith and Jesse Weber

If you enjoy this episode and are interested in learning more about how the PE teachers in your district can get involved in a facilitated book study based on the text Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please email gary@distinguishedpe.com.
 
Today I’m speaking with Jen Smith and Jesse Weber. 
 
In this episode, we discuss all things assessment in physical education, including how our minds have shifted on the topic of assessment over the years, common misconceptions that teachers may have about grading and assessment, outdated grading practices, criteria that teachers should assess students on, what teachers should do with the data from assessments, how to track data efficiently, and common challenges and potential solutions to standards based grading. 
 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 
 
Resources:
Data Tracker and Rubric

#11 - Accountable Talk in Physical Education with Mark Lombardi

Click here to join the Health and Physical Education Collective and get started on Session One of the Distinguished Physical Education course!
 
If you enjoy this episode and are interested in learning more about how the PE teachers in your district can get involved in a facilitated book study based on the text Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please email gary@distinguishedpe.com.
 
Today I’m speaking with Mark Lombardi. Mark received his bachelor in Kinesiology with an emphasis in K-12 education at University of Northern Colorado. He also has a Masters in curriculum and instruction. Mark has been teaching at Godsman Elementary in Denver Public Schools for 23 years. To be at the same school for over two decades feels like a rarity these days and Mark often expresses how fortunate he is that he has had the opportunity to work and grow with the same community for his entire teaching career. 
 
Mark and I discussed accountable talk structures in Physical Education, how our views on student talk in PE have shifted over the years, some common misconceptions that PE teachers have surrounding student talk in PE, the impact that accountable talk structures has on student learning, which talk structures lend themselves well to physical education class, common challenges to implementing accountable talk structures, and other topics.
 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 

#10 - Peer-to-Peer Feedback in Physical Education with Peter Rossi

If you enjoy this episode and are interested in learning more about how the PE teachers in your district can get involved in a book study based on the text Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please email gary@distinguishedpe.com.
 
My guest today is Peter Rossi. Pete is the physical education teacher at Stedman Elementary school in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Northern Colorado and worked as a reporter for Law Week Colorado before deciding on a career change. Peter went back to the University of Northern Colorado and earned a master’s degree in physical education. 
Now in his 10th year as a physical education teacher, Coach Rossi has also served as a regional team specialist, responsible for planning and facilitating professional development sessions for other PE teachers in the district. 
When he’s not teaching Pete enjoys playing golf, working out, traveling and spending time with his wife and three young children.
In this episode, we discuss the benefits of regularly incorporating opportunities for students to provided academically-focused, detailed feedback to their peers, accountable structures for doing so, when during a unit teachers should prioritize peer-to-peer feedback, and other topics. 
 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 

#9 - Chapter Two: High Expectations for Student Behavior

Gary Zaharatos reads Chapter Two (High Expectations for Student Behavior) of his book Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher. 
 
If you enjoy this episode and are interested in learning more about how the PE teachers in your school, district, or University can get involved in a book study based on the text Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please email gary@distinguishedpe.com.
 
Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher is available on Amazon. 
 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 
 

#8 - Standards-Based Content and Language Objectives in PE with Jen Smith

My guest today is Jen Smith. Jen is the physical education instructional curriculum specialist at Denver public schools. She received a bachelor of science in exercise science and aquatics at ball, state university, and her teaching credential in PE at Metro state university in Denver, along with a masters in health and wellness.  She taught for 12 years before moving into the specialist role where she supports PE teachers throughout the city.
 
In this episode, Jen Smith and I discuss what PE lessons look like when they aren't aligned to a standard. We detail how to create standards based content and language objectives, along with various ways to communicate them in student friendly language. We create a CLO based on a social skills standard so that listeners can experience what that process sounds like. We also provide rationale for why teachers should consistently incorporate standards-based content and language objectives describing the impact they have on the reputation of a PE program. And on student learning Along with strategies for how to begin implementing them if this is something new for you.
 
Language Function and Form Resource
 
If you enjoy this episode and are interested in learning more about how the PE teachers in your district can get involved in a book study based on the text Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please email gary@distinguishedpe.com.
 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 
 

#7 - Chapter One: Promoting Inclusivity and Engagement

Gary Zaharatos reads Chapter One (Promoting Inclusivity and Engagement) of his book Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher. 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 
This podcast is being released along with my new book, Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, which is available on Amazon. 

#6 - Creating Equitable PE Experiences For All Students with Brian Hull

Gary Zaharatos speaks with Brian Hull about the difference between equality and equity, inclusive practices, and how to differentiate for the needs of all students. 
 
Brian Hull taught secondary physical education in Title 1 schools for 10 years for Denver Public School before becoming a full-time member of the SPARK and Gopher Sport team. Brian currently works as an instructional coach at Quist Middle School in Adams County, Colorado. In 2018, Brian received the SHAPE Colorado High School Teacher of the Year award. Additionally, in 2020, Brian was named the SHAPE America National High School Teacher of the Year. 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 
This podcast is being released along with my new book, Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, which is available on both Amazon and my website, www.distinguishedpe.com.

#5 - Best Practice in Pre-K Physical Education with Sara Whatmore

My new book, Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, is available on Amazon.
 
My guest today is Sarah Whatmore. Sarah earned a BA in child development from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She taught kindergarten and first grade for 11 years, two of those in Charlotte, North Carolina, and nine in Aurora, Colorado. 
Sarah then transitioned out of the classroom and into the gym, while earning a master's in physical education from the University of Northern Colorado. She currently teaches P. E. at Stephen Knight Center for Early Education in Denver Public Schools, which allows her to combine her experience of working with children ages 3 to 6 and physical education.
Sarah is also a physical education regional team specialist, which allows her to create and facilitate professional development around PE and primary grades for other teachers in Denver.  I have attended several of Sarah's PD sessions and always walk away having learned something new about teaching physical education to our youngest students.
 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 

#4 - Back to School Strategies for Elementary PE Teachers with Tyler Quinn and Jessica Templeton

My new book, Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, is available on Amazon.
 
My guests today are Tyler Quinn and Jessica Templeton. 
 
Tyler received a bachelor of science in Kinesiology with a physical education emphasis at Shenandoah University in Virginia. He has been teaching elementary physical education for 7 years, the first 3 in Arlington Public schools before moving to Colorado in 2020 where he taught in Jefferson County for 3 years. Tyler currently teaches pre-K through 5th grade PE at Columbine Elementary in Denver Public Schools. 
 
Jessica has taught for 24 years in Denver Public Schools. She started her career as a third grade teacher and was in the classroom for 16 years before pivoting to teaching Pre-k through 5th grade physical education at Gust Elementary School. She has mentored numerous teachers over the years and currently serves as a Regional Team Specialist, planning and delivering professional development for PE teachers across the district.
 
In this episode we discuss topics such as creating a safe and welcoming learning environment, strategies for setting up the gym to support high expectations for student behavior, class rules, activities for the first week of school, gym entry and exit procedures, planning for the first day of school, advice for new teachers … and other topics.
 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 

#3 - Back to School Strategies for Secondary PE Teachers with Brian Crane

My guest today is Brian Crane. Brian received a bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at San Diego State University and his teaching credential in PE at Arizona State University. He has been teaching for 20 years, including a couple of years with me as his teaching partner, for better or worse :) In the Kyrene School District in Tempe, Arizona, Brian taught ECE through 5th grade for five years before moving on to teach middle school at Kyrene Middle School for four years. Since 2014, he has been teaching high school PE in the Mesa School District at East Valley Academy.
 
I learned a lot from Brian over the years that we worked together and it’s a pleasure to be able to speak with him. We cover topics such as communicating clear expectations for student behavior, class rules, the importance of developing mutually respectful relationships with students, reducing students anxiety in physical education, preparing for the first week of school, cell phones, the benefits of small-sided modified activities, motivating students to participate, end of class routines, and other topics. 
If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group where we have assembled quite the group of experts, always willing to share their insights and help out colleagues with their problems of practice. Simply search for Distinguished Physical Education. 
My new book, Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, is available on Amazon.