Distinguished Physical Education Podcast Episodes

Distinguished PE is excited to announce the launch of three, self-paced, graduate level courses! See below for more information on how to sign up.
 
Paddy received his bachelors degree in K-12 PE and a Masters in Physical Education Leadership through SUNY Cortland. He has been teaching elementary PE for 10 years, and is entering year 3 at Van Rensselaer Elementary in the Van Rensselaer City School District.
He is currently the secretary for the Capital zone of NYS AHPERD, and has been actively involved with state and local conferences.
In this episode, Paddy shares some of his favorite games and activities, while grounding them in standards-based learning outcomes for his students. He shares what student led instruction looks like in his PE program and the impact that it has on student learning, along with why it’s important to take creative risks and expose students to a variety of different movement experiences. 
 
Follow Paddy on Instagram (thecoachbaileype) and X (@CoachBaileyNHS)
 
Distinguished PE has officially launched new self-paced courses! You can take them for graduate-level credit, for hours toward renewing your teaching license, or simply for your own professional growth and reflection.
Each course aligns with a chapter from Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher and provides opportunities for authentic, job-embedded learning.
 
The following three credit, self-paced courses are now available:
DPE 101: Promoting Inclusivity and Engagement
DPE 102: High Expectations for Student Behavior
DPE 103: Optimizing Use of Space and Resources
DPE 104: Standards-Based Content and Language Objectives
DPE 105: Assessing Students’ Progress and Understanding
 
You can earn three graduate-level credits for each course (15 total if you complete all five) through Colorado State University Pueblo, which can help teachers move over on their pay scale in many districts. These credits can also be used toward a Masters Degree at CSU!
If you’re looking for renewal hours, each one offers up to 100 hours toward your teaching license.
To learn more or get registered, email gary@distinguishedpe.com or head over to www.distinguishedpe.com and click on Virtual Courses.
Click here for the direct link to sign-up: Register Here!
 
Looking for more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:• Buy the book• Sign up for the DPE Virtual Course• Grab DPE merch

Distinguished PE is excited to announce the launch of three, self-paced, graduate level courses! See below for more information on how to sign up.
 
After teaching elementary PE for three years, Jake has been teaching junior high physical education for the past 17 years. first in Montana, and currently at North Junior High in the Boise school district.
Jake has presented at state conferences in Idaho and Montana, along with being a National SHAPE presenter. He has also presented at the Professional Development Schools Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina, along with his colleague from Boise State, Dr. Bell. 
He is a college adjunct professor and works closely with BSU as a mentor to their students and has collaborated with over 20 student teachers throughout his career.
Jake and I talk about why skill development should be the focus of a high quality PE program and what the consequences are if it is not. We talk about how to efficiently assess skill development and how outdated practices like grading on participation and dressing out harm the reputation of our discipline. Jake also makes convincing connections between the strategies that he shares and the impact that they have on student engagement, how students view physical education class, and their behavior, especially in the locker room. 
 
Distinguished PE has officially launched new self-paced courses! You can take them for graduate-level credit, for hours toward renewing your teaching license, or simply for your own professional growth and reflection.
Each course aligns with a chapter from Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher and provides opportunities for authentic, job-embedded learning.
 
The following three credit, self-paced courses are now available:
DPE 101: Promoting Inclusivity and Engagement
DPE 102: High Expectations for Student Behavior
DPE 103: Optimizing Use of Space and Resources
DPE 104: Standards-Based Content and Language Objectives
DPE 105: Assessing Students’ Progress and Understanding
 
You can earn three graduate-level credits for each course (15 total if you complete all five) through Colorado State University Pueblo, which can help teachers move over on their pay scale in many districts. These credits can also be used toward a Masters Degree at CSU!
If you’re looking for renewal hours, each one offers up to 100 hours toward your teaching license.
To learn more or get registered, head over to www.distinguishedpe.com and click on Virtual Courses.
Click here for the direct link to sign-up: Register Here!
 
Looking for more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:• Buy the book• Sign up for the DPE Virtual Course• Grab DPE merch

Distinguished PE is excited to announce the launch of three, self-paced, graduate level courses! See below for more information on how to sign up ... 
 
In this episode, Kathy Harvey, Jamie Sparks and I talk about the return of the Presidential Fitness Test, whether or not it belongs in a high-quality PE program, and the impact it can have on students. Then we zoom out a bit and explore fitness testing more broadly, including what teachers actually do with the data, and what it looks like to meaningfully incorporate fitness testing into a program, if that’s the route you’ve chosen … or had chosen for you.
 
Kathy Harvey taught pre/K- 8th grade physical education for over 30 years in the Bethlehem Township School district located in Asbury, NJ. Thousands of students have gone through her physical education program, completing either the President's Physical Fitness Test or Fitnessgram … or both.
 
Jamie Sparks currently serves as Executive Director of Kentucky SHAPE. He is the former Coordinated School Health Director for the Kentucky Department of Education and a recent Past President of SHAPE America, bringing both state and national leadership experience to his work of championing skills-based health education, quality physical education, and healthier school environments for all students.
 
Resources
The Atlantic: Gym Class is so Bad, Kids Are Skipping School to Avoid It
Presidential Youth Fitness Program
 
Distinguished PE has officially launched new self-paced courses! You can take them for graduate-level credit, for hours toward renewing your teaching license, or simply for your own professional growth and reflection.
Each course aligns with a chapter from Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher and provides opportunities for authentic, job-embedded learning.
 
The following three credit, self-paced courses are now available:
DPE 101: Promoting Inclusivity and Engagement
DPE 102: High Expectations for Student Behavior
DPE 103: Optimizing Use of Space and Resources
DPE 104: Standards-Based Content and Language Objectives
DPE 105: Assessing Students’ Progress and Understanding
 
You can earn three graduate-level credits for each course (15 total if you complete all five) through Colorado State University Pueblo, which can help teachers move over on their pay scale in many districts. These credits can also be used toward a Masters Degree at CSU!
If you’re looking for renewal hours, each one offers up to 100 hours toward your teaching license.
To learn more or get registered, head over to www.distinguishedpe.com and click on Virtual Courses.
Click here for the direct link to sign-up: Register Here!
 
Looking for more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:• Buy the book• Sign up for the DPE Virtual Course• Grab DPE merch

Distinguished PE is excited to announce the launch of three, self-paced, graduate level courses! See below for more information on how to sign up ... 
 
This episode is the final installment of the Back to School 2025 series, which is focused on setting a positive tone for the school year and building an inclusive culture in PE that provides meaningful experiences for all students from day one. 
 
In this episode, I’m joined by Juli Neace, a National Board Certified teacher and SHAPE America Southern District Middle School Teacher of the Year, to talk about what it really takes to create an inclusive and engaging PE culture from day one. Juli shares how she sets the tone at the start of the year, why small-sided games can make a big difference for student success, and the practical strategies she uses to ensure all students feel seen, supported, and safe.
 
Distinguished PE has officially launched new self-paced courses! You can take them for graduate-level credit, for hours toward renewing your teaching license, or simply for your own professional growth and reflection.
Each course aligns with a chapter from Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher and provides opportunities for authentic, job-embedded learning.
 
The following three credit, self-paced courses are now available:
DPE 101: Promoting Inclusivity and Engagement
DPE 102: High Expectations for Student Behavior
DPE 103: Optimizing Use of Space and Resources
DPE 104: Standards-Based Content and Language Objectives
DPE 105: Assessing Students’ Progress and Understanding
 
You can earn three graduate-level credits for each course (15 total if you complete all five) through Colorado State University Pueblo, which can help teachers move over on their pay scale in many districts. These credits can also be used toward a Masters Degree at CSU!
If you’re looking for renewal hours, each one offers up to 100 hours toward your teaching license.
To learn more or get registered, head over to www.distinguishedpe.com and click on Virtual Courses.
Click here for the direct link to sign-up: Register Here!
 
Looking for more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:• Buy the book• Sign up for the DPE Virtual Course• Grab DPE merch

Distinguished PE is excited to announce the launch of three, self-paced, graduate level courses! See below for more information on how to sign up.
 
This episode is part of the Back to School 2025 series, which is focused on setting a positive tone for the school year and building an inclusive culture in PE that provides meaningful experiences for all students from day one. 
 
Courtney Lukasavitz was named the 2025 Shape America Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. She's entering her 17th year of teaching and third year at Indian Community School in Franklin, Wisconsin, where she teaches middle school health and physical education. She graduated from UW Whitewater and is a national board certified teacher. Courtney is passionate about facilitating a standards-based physical education program that shifts the traditional narrative of PE.
 
Resources:
Instagram
X
Reflect and Fix
Volleyball Assessment Rubric
 
Distinguished PE has officially launched new self-paced courses! You can take them for graduate-level credit, for hours toward renewing your teaching license, or simply for your own professional growth and reflection.
Each course aligns with a chapter from Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher and provides opportunities for authentic, job-embedded learning.
 
The following three credit, self-paced courses are now available:
DPE 101: Promoting Inclusivity and Engagement
DPE 102: High Expectations for Student Behavior
DPE 103: Optimizing Use of Space and Resources
DPE 104: Standards-Based Content and Language Objectives
DPE 105: Assessing Students’ Progress and Understanding
 
You can earn three graduate-level credits for each course (15 total if you complete all five) through Colorado State University Pueblo, which can help teachers move over on their pay scale in many districts. These credits can also be used toward a Masters Degree at CSU!
If you’re looking for renewal hours, each one offers up to 100 hours toward your teaching license.
To learn more or get registered, head over to www.distinguishedpe.com and click on Virtual Courses.
Click here for the direct link to sign-up: Register Here!
 
Looking for more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:• Buy the book• Sign up for the DPE Virtual Course• Grab DPE merch

Distinguished PE is excited to announce the launch of three, self-paced, graduate level courses! See below for more information on how to sign up.
 
This episode is part of the Back to School 2025 series, which is focused on setting a positive tone for the school year and building an inclusive culture in PE that provides meaningful experiences for all students from day one. 
 
In this episode, Rhys and I discuss how to create co-agreements with students, examples of what they look like and the impact that they have on student behavior and class culture. We talk about incorporating student voice and the importance of clearly communicating expectations for transitions. We also get to the instructional side of things and discuss standards based content and language objectives and how to communicate them in student friendly language.
 
Connect with Rhys on X: rhysmeredith23 or via email: rmeredith@aisb.hu
 
Resources:
Respect in PE Poster
Class Agreements Poster
Respectful Celebrating Poster
 
Distinguished PE has officially launched new self-paced courses! You can take them for graduate-level credit, for hours toward renewing your teaching license, or simply for your own professional growth and reflection.
Each course aligns with a chapter from Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher and provides opportunities for authentic, job-embedded learning.
 
The following three credit, self-paced courses are now available:
DPE 101: Promoting Inclusivity and Engagement
DPE 102: High Expectations for Student Behavior
DPE 103: Optimizing Use of Space and Resources
DPE 104: Standards-Based Content and Language Objectives
DPE 105: Assessing Students’ Progress and Understanding
 
You can earn three graduate-level credits for each course (15 total if you complete all five) through Colorado State University Pueblo, which can help teachers move over on their pay scale in many districts. These credits can also be used toward a Masters Degree at CSU!
If you’re looking for renewal hours, each one offers up to 100 hours toward your teaching license.
To learn more or get registered, head over to www.distinguishedpe.com and click on Virtual Courses.
Click here for the direct link to sign-up: Register Here!
 
Want to learn more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:• Buy the book• Sign up for the DPE Virtual Course• Grab DPE merch

For all things Distinguished Physical Education:
https://linktr.ee/distinguishedpe
 
It’s the final episode of the first year of the Distinguished PE Podcast — and it’s all about taking time to reflect.
In this episode, I sit down with Adam Mullis to talk about wrapping up the school year with purpose: how to reflect on your teaching, your students’ growth, and the moments that shaped your PE program this year.
We also take a moment to celebrate some big milestones — including the release of Becoming a Distinguished Physical Education Teacher one year ago and passing 10,000 downloads on the podcast!
 
Adam and I discuss:
Questions to guide your end-of-year reflection
How to recognize growth in yourself and your students
What to carry into next year — and what to leave behind
Why slowing down to reflect is part of becoming a distinguished educator
 
Whether you’ve been with the show since episode one or you just joined us, thank you for listening. Wishing you a summer filled with rest, reflection, and a little movement.

For all things Distinguished Physical Education:
https://linktr.ee/distinguishedpe
 
What happens when four PE teachers commit to growing their practice together?In this episode, I sit down with Jessie Erikson, Scott Harris, Byron Robinson, and Jen Smith - all participants in the Distinguished PE Book Study - to talk about how the experience reshaped their teaching.
 
We dive into:
What sparked their interest in the book study
What they changed in their PE programs as a result
How the community of teachers supported their growth
The mindset shifts that had the biggest impact
Real examples of applying best practices in K–12 PE
 
Whether you're considering joining the 2025 Book Study or just looking for fresh ideas to elevate your teaching, this episode is full of practical insight, honesty, and inspiration from real educators doing the work.
 
Click here for more information on the Distinguished Physical Education Book Study including dates, a course description, and how to sign-up. 
 
For group discounts, email gary@distinsuishedpe.com 
 

What would you do if 200 new students walked into your gym — most of them speaking a language you don’t understand?
That’s exactly what happened to Kelly Donnelly, a PE teacher in Denver Public Schools. In this powerful episode, Kelly shares how welcoming a wave of Spanish-speaking migrant students changed her teaching, pushed her outside her comfort zone, and strengthened her belief that movement is a universal language.
 
We talk about:
How to overcome fear and anxiety when teaching ELLs
Ways to build connection through shared experience
Strategies for learning key phrases quickly
Using movement to teach language and social skills
The beauty (and challenge) of teaching beyond words
Whether you’ve worked with multilingual learners for years or you’re about to welcome your first, this episode will leave you inspired — and better prepared.
 
Resources
Partner Acceptance Video
 
For all things Distinguished Physical Education:
https://linktr.ee/distinguishedpe
 
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.

For all things Distinguished Physical Education:
https://linktr.ee/distinguishedpe
 
My guest today is Jen Smith, a passionate PE leader and teacher from Denver, Colorado, who recently returned from the 2025 SHAPE America National Convention in Baltimore. Jen has been teaching for over 20 years and is known for her energy, thoughtful leadership, and commitment to elevating the field of physical education.
 
In this episode, Jen and I discuss:
What made SHAPE Baltimore stand out from past conventions
How professional development helps reignite passion for teaching
Memorable sessions, presenters, and takeaways from the week
How to bring the energy and ideas from the conference back to your own teaching
Why connection and community matter more than ever in our profession
 
If you missed the conference or want to relive the highlights, this recap will give you insight, inspiration, and ideas you can bring into your own practice.
 
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. 
 
Find DPE merch, including t-shirts and hoodies here. 
 
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!
 
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.