Distinguished Physical Education Podcast Episodes

#15 - Encouraging Learning and Growth in Physical Education Through Self-Reflection with Erin Evans

My guest today is Erin Evans. Erin is a passionate physical education teacher originally from Australia. Erin’s journey brought her to Montana, where she played soccer at Rocky Mountain College and earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Enhancement K-12. Since starting her teaching career in 2014, Erin has been dedicated to promoting health and wellness not only in her physical education classes but also throughout her community.
Erin has made a lasting impact in her community by serving on the PTA board, organizing annual fun runs, raising funds for a new playground, and running a thriving after-school program called PEAK—Providing Enhanced Activities for Kids—that engages students across 18 elementary schools in her district. Her commitment to excellence was recognized when she was named SHAPE Montana Teacher of the Year in 2024 and Western District Teacher of the Year in 2025. 
 
We discussed the varying expectations for what a high quality physical education program looks like in different districts and states, curriculum, heart rate monitors, the benefits and challenges of providing students with opportunities to self-assess their progress toward goals, various ways to reflect on your own practice, the role that being a reflective teacher with a growth mindset plays in avoiding teacher burnout, and other topics.
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!
 
If you enjoy this podcast and are interested in learning more about how you or the PE teachers in your district can earn licensure renewal credits through a facilitated book study based on the book Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please fill out this form or 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.
 
Resources
Montana OPI Content Standards
Denver Public Schools LEAP Framework
Denver Public Schools Consent Decree

#14 - Legitimizing Physical Education Through Meaningful Assessment with Adam Mullis

Today I’m speaking with Dr. Adam Mullis, who is currently in his 10th year of teaching physical education and health at the middle school level. He is a lifetime learner, having completed his Master’s in Curricula, Assessment, and Instruction and his Ph.D. at Walden University, with his dissertation focused on policy and sex education. He has served as president of the South Carolina Association for Physical Education and Sport and vice president for the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, along with various other state and national committees. In addition, he has facilitated dozens of sessions at local, regional, and national conferences and is also proud to have written over $60,000 worth of grants for health and wellness. Adam specializes in shifting school culture towards health and wellness for all students, leading his schools to three national awards for the "Healthiest Schools in America." Adam is a true advocate for Health, Physical Education, and Sport and it was a pleasure being able to talk PE with him. 
In this episode, we discuss how influential PE conferences can be, how assessment legitimizes a PE program, the difference between effort and learning, breaking down daily objectives for students, using assessment data to differentiate activities, the value of student self assessment, why a strong learning is fundamental to all of this, and other topics. 
 
X: @pe_mullis
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!
 
If you enjoy this podcast and are interested in learning more about how you or the PE teachers in your district can earn licensure renewal credits through a facilitated book study based on the book Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please fill out this form or 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.

#13 - Establishing a Culture of Excellence in PE with Sam Horton

Today I’m speaking with Sam Horton. Sam has spent seven years in education focusing on Physical Education and he is the primary PE and swimming lead at his school. Sam was recently recognized for bringing the Swim England National School Swimming Award to his school.  
Sam oversees both swimming and physical education and constantly strives to implement best practice so that students have the best opportunity to succeed and develop a love and passion for physical activity. He is also a big advocate of children building their social and emotional skills through sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork and has created the entire curriculum for both of the subjects he teaches. 
 
In this episode, we discuss the importance of having high expectations for student behavior and strategies to achieve a strong learning environment, we talk about various ways to enhance student engagement and motivation, how to differentiate for students needs using the STEP approach, the "I, We, You" instructional method, how to plan lessons and units, and other topics. 
 
Sam can be found on Instagram @primary_pe_lead
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!
 
If you enjoy this podcast and are interested in learning more about how you or the PE teachers in your district can earn licensure renewal credits through a facilitated book study based on the book Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please fill out this form or 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.
 

#12 - Making Assessment Meaningful in PE with Jen Smith and Jesse Weber

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. 
 
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. 
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!
 
If you enjoy this podcast and are interested in learning more about how you or the PE teachers in your district can earn licensure renewal credits through a facilitated book study based on the book Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please fill out this form or 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. 
 
Resources:
Data Tracker and Rubric

#11 - Incorporating Meaningful Conversations in PE through Accountable Student Talk with Mark Lombardi

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.
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!
 
If you enjoy this podcast and are interested in learning more about how you or the PE teachers in your district can earn licensure renewal credits through a facilitated book study based on the book Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please fill out this form or 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. 

#10 - Teaching Students How to Give Meaningful Peer Feedback in PE with Peter Rossi

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. 
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!
 
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. 

#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. 
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
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.
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!
 
If you enjoy this podcast and are interested in learning more about how you or the PE teachers in your district can earn licensure renewal credits through a facilitated book study based on the book Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher, please fill out this form or 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. 
 
Resources
Language Function and Form Resource
 

#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. 
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 

#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. 
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
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.