TAHPERD’s reMOVEing Layers

Hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Jacob Pacheco, an elite adaptive athlete and keynote speaker at TAHPERD’s 102nd Annual Convention. Born with cerebral palsy, Jacob shares how he turned adversity into purpose through education, athletics, and advocacy. He discusses his belief that effort matters more than results, the role of routine in overcoming fear and self-doubt, and the power of community in personal growt...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, welcome Lauran DeForke and Christina Fuller-Summey, the 2025 TAHPERD Physical Education Teachers of the Year. Christina highlights her innovative use of technology to enhance student learning, while Lauran reflects on a lifelong passion for education and athletics that has shaped generations of students. Together, they share how TAHPERD has supported their professional growth...

Hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Stephen Mackey—player development coach, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and keynote speaker at TAHPERD’s 102nd Annual Convention. Mackey shares his powerful journey of connecting sports to life lessons for students and athletes, along with his work alongside the Texas High School Coaches Association. He discusses the creation of resources like Game Day with Coach Mackey...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, as they sit down with Dr. Sharon Rice, assistant professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, and Tammy Gilstrap, a retired Texas educator with over 40 years of experience, to talk about the exciting relaunch of the Exemplary Schools Award. The conversation explores the importance of post-summer routine, the challenges of creating a more accessible and equitable application process, ...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with longtime TAHPERD members Janice Perez Longino, a PE teacher in Rockwall ISD, and Juliana Williams, a high school dance instructor in Dallas ISD. Together, they explore how integrating dance into physical education not only boosts athletic performance but also builds student confidence and sparks creativity. They share personal stories, practical strategies for m...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, are joined by Pasha Cook—author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker for the upcoming TAHPERD Summer Conference—for an inspiring conversation on resilience, leadership, and personal transformation. Pasha shares her powerful journey from college basketball player to first-generation college graduate and trusted advisor to CEOs. She dives into her Champ U framework, which centers...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Felicia Ceaser-White, Coordinator, K-12 Health and Physical Education Curriculum with Houston ISD, and Amber Macneish, Physical Education, Health Education and Wellness Coordinator with Pasadena ISD, about the vital role health education plays in shaping lifelong wellness. They explore how strong health curricula address students' mental and physical challenges,...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Pete Silvius, Director of Whole Child Initiatives for the Seguin Independent School District, and Dr. Kent Griffin, an associate professor in the Health and Human Performance (HHP) department at Texas State University, to explore the impact of outdoor recreation on student development. They discuss how time in nature builds essential life skills, supports mental...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, talk with Dr. Debbie Rhea, full professor of kinesiology and founding director of the LiiNK Project at Texas Christian University. Dr. Rhea shares how the LiiNK Project is reshaping school curricula by integrating unstructured outdoor play and character development to improve children's health and learning outcomes. Discover how more recess time reduces stress, boosts focus, ...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Amber Sladecek, District Elementary Physical Education Lead Teacher in Georgetown, Texas, and Xavier Sampson, PE teacher at Scott Johnson Middle School in McKinney, Texas. They explore the impact of community outreach and the role of professional associations like TAHPERD in supporting educators. Amber shares her passion for developing meaningful curriculum and ...

In this episode, host Lisa Fall, CMP, takes over the mic to interview her co-host Rachel Naylor, executive director of the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD). Together, they explore the upcoming 41st Annual Leadership Conference, scheduled for January 31–February 2, 2025, at the Lake Granbury Conference Center in Granbury, Texas. Rachel discusses the transition to a virtual format, the...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, sit down with Joel Romo, president of Texana Public Affairs, to explore his extensive experience in Texas legislative affairs. Joel shares valuable lessons on the importance of patience, consistent messaging, and collaboration in successful advocacy efforts. The discussion covers how to balance diverse legislative issues, build strong coalitions, and emphasize the critical ro...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, as they dive into an insightful discussion with Dr. José Santiago, professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University, and Dr. Ben Kern, associate professor at the University of Wyoming, on the critical role of advocacy in physical education. They explore the need for data-driven approaches to improve physical education policies, and discuss the challenges of PE a...

For our season 2 premier, hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, have an engaging conversation with Janet Scott-Carrier, a professional public-school educator and an experienced professional development presenter from Aldine ISD, and Kenneth Hernandez, coordinator of health and PE for Aldine ISD. The conversation highlights their professional journeys and the impact of their conference presentations. They also discuss key challeng...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for a fun conversation with Alyson Van Hooser, leadership expert, author, and keynote speaker at the 101st TAHPERD Annual Convention. Alyson shares her journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a successful leader and mother of four. She discusses the importance of self-care, storytelling, and effective leadership, offering actionable advice on meeting people where they are, advo...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for an engaging conversation with Dr. Sharon Rice, an assistant professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, and Jordan Vardeman, an elementary physical education teacher for Douglass ISD. Together, they explore the benefits of attending conferences for PE educators, sharing techniques for initiating conversations and building connections at these events. They also highlight the impo...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for a fun conversation with Joel Zeff, improvisational humorist, author, and keynote speaker at this year's TAHPERD Summer Conference. Joel shares how he uses improv and humor to enhance teamwork and leadership, offering a sneak peek into his keynote presentation and breakout session. Discover the importance of being present, breaking down communication barriers, and connecting with othe...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for an engaging conversation with H.C. Grimet, physical education, health and outdoor learning center coordinator with Katy ISD, and Rex Peebles, an elementary physical education teacher for Katy ISD. Together, they discuss the importance of being involved in TAHPERD, share their unique career paths, and explore the invaluable benefits of networking in the field.

reMOVEing Layers is pr...

Join hosts Rachel Naylor and Lisa Fall, CMP, for an insightful conversation with Thomasina Gatson, M.Ed., MBA, MA, RAA, head girls basketball coach at Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD and current president-elect of TAHPERD. Explore topics ranging from student engagement in TAHPERD and the significance of physical education and health education to fostering relationships between coaches and students. Gain valuable insights into ...