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.

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...

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 ...

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 Jul...

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 Mi...

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-ag...

For all things Distinguished Physical Education:

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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 momen...

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 stud...

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...

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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...

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Looking for ways to create a calmer, more connected PE environment? In this episode, I talk with Kristen Santos — a certified yoga instructor and Massachusetts Middle School PE Teacher of the Year — about how yoga can help students self-regulate, focus, and feel more included in your program.

We explore:

• The benefits of yoga beyond flexibili...

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My guest today is Drew Burris, an award-winning physical education teacher in Missouri with 14 years of teaching experience and a passion for creating memorable learning experiences for his students. Drew currently teaches PreK–2nd grade at Ridge View Elementary and is well known in the PE community through his online presence, professional develop...

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https://linktr.ee/distinguishedpe

My guest today is Victor Spadaro, a dynamic and passionate physical educator from Arlington, Virginia. Victor teaches PreK–5th grade at Abingdon Elementary and was recently named the 2025 Southern District Elementary PE Teacher of the Year. He’s an OPEN National Trainer, former Dance VP of Virginia AHPERD, and a frequent presenter at state and nati...

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My guest today is Brad Hunter. Brad has been working with students in a physical activity capacity for 19 years—first through a nonprofit that brought meaningful play to schools, then as an elementary PE teacher, and now in his sixth year as an itinerant Adapted PE teacher for Baltimore City Public Schools. He serves on the Board of SHAPE Maryland,...

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My guest today is Patrick Noel. Patrick received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from St. Bonaventure University and a Master of Arts in Kinesiology with a PE emphasis from Fresno Pacific University. He is in his 19th year of teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools—the largest district in Virginia and the 11th largest in the ...

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My guests today are Caitlin Schoville and Austin Olsen, two nationally recognized middle school physical educators.

Caitlin teaches 7th and 8th grade health and PE at Pleasant Valley Junior High in eastern Iowa. She was named SHAPE Iowa’s Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2022 and SHAPE America’s Central District Teacher of the Year in 2024. Aus...

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My guest today is Christina Collins, founder and owner of NeverStopMoving365, an organization focused on expanding access to physical education beyond the school day. Christina holds a Master’s in Sport Science and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, with a research focus on movement joy and physical literacy. She teaches i...

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In this episode, I explore how to prepare for a physical education job interview in a way that highlights your professionalism, instructional skills, and commitment to student growth. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned educator looking for a new opportunity, this episode offers practical strategies for communicating your strengths and exper...

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In this episode, I’m joined by Erin Evans, an award-winning physical education teacher whose passion for teaching and dedication to her community have made a meaningful impact both in and out of the gym. Originally from Australia, Erin now teaches in Montana, where she leads with creativity, reflection, and a commitment to high-quality PE.

We dis...

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Today I’m joined by Dr. Adam Mullis, a passionate educator and advocate for health and physical education. Adam is in his 10th year of teaching middle school PE and health, holds advanced degrees in curriculum, assessment, and instruction, and has served in leadership roles across multiple professional organizations. He’s presented at numerous conf...