#25 - Strategies to Support English Language Learners in Physical Education with Kelly Donnelly

Secure your spot for the 2025-2026 DPE Virtual Book Study, facilitated by Gary Zaharatos and Jen Smith. Buy tickets here! Feel free to email gary@distinguishedpe.com for group discounts or any questions. 

 

My guest today is Kelly Donnelly.

Inspired by the Girls on the Run curriculum, Kelly changed careers and has been teaching physical education in Denver Public Schools for seven years. She is passionate about using movement to teach standards-based social skills to her students. Kelly earned her Master of Science in Kinesiology from Oregon State University, with certifications in Physical Education Teacher Education and Adapted Physical Education. She spent three years teaching middle school before transitioning to Ashley Elementary, where she has taught for the past four years. During the 2023-24 school year, she had the unique opportunity to welcome over 200 migrant students—primarily monolingual, Spanish-speaking learners—doubling the school’s population within two months. This experience brought both challenges and gifts, from rapidly learning Spanish to adapting her approach to teaching PE and finding new ways to build connections through shared learning and understanding.

In this episode, Kelly and I discuss the challenges that come with teaching english language learners, how to overcome being nervous or anxious about teaching students who speak a different language than you, strategies and techniques for teachers in similar situations, strategies for quickly learning key words and phrases in another language, and other topics. 

It’s been a pleasure to support Kelly over the years, though all the credit goes to her for her dedication to learning Spanish and implementing strategies to support her English language learners. Rather than seeing language as a barrier, she embraced it as an opportunity to grow as an educator and strengthen her connections with students. I’ve been fortunate to feature incredible teachers from across the country on this podcast, and it’s always a joy to welcome a Denver teacher back.

 

Second Annual Colorado Health and Physical Education Summit 2025

 

This is a free professional development event. The Summit supported and developed by the Colorado Health and Physical Education Council, the council consists of health and physical education district coordinators and other partners from across the state of Colorado. This summit promises inspiration, networking opportunities, and a shared commitment to fostering healthier futures. 

 

June 4 & 5, 2025 - 8am-4pm

Jefferson High School

2305 Pierce Street

Edgewater, Co., 80214

Register here!

 

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