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

Looking for more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:

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: [email protected]

Resources:

Respect in PE Poster

Class Agreements Poster

Respectful Celebrating Poster

Want to learn more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:

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:

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?

We dive into:

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 [email protected] 

For all things Distinguished Physical Education:

https://linktr.ee/distinguishedpe

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:

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.

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 [email protected] for group discounts or any questions. 

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:

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 [email protected] 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.

For all things Distinguished Physical Education:

https://linktr.ee/distinguishedpe

Looking for ways to create a calmer, more connected PE environment?

We explore:

Whether you’re new to yoga or ready to expand your toolkit, Kristen shares practical ideas you can start using right away!

The Yoga Curriculum for Physical Education - https://www.yogainphysed.com - Use the code DPE25 for 25% off!)

Resources

https://www.yogainphysed.com - Use the code DPE25 for 25% off!)

Yoga Curriculum Book (K-5) - Amazon

Yoga Curriculum Book (6-8) - Amazon

Instagram: @yogainphysed

X: @KSantosYoga

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Click here to connect!

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 [email protected] for group discounts or any questions. 

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 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 development work, and national recognition as Missouri’s 2021 SHAPE Elementary PE Teacher of the Year.

In this episode, Drew and I discuss:

Whether you’re a first-time organizer or a field day veteran, this episode is packed with tips and ideas to help make your event a highlight of the school year.

Resources

X: @project_physed 

YouTube: @ProjectPhysEd

Website: projectphysed.weebly.com 

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 [email protected] for group discounts or any questions. 

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 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 national conferences.

In this episode, Victor and I discuss:

If you’ve ever felt hesitant about incorporating dance into your PE program, this episode will give you practical ideas, encouragement, and insight from one of the best in the field.

Follow Victor on YouTube!

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 [email protected] for group discounts or any questions. 

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 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, is the President of the Maryland Adapted PE Consortium, and Co-Chair of the Maryland State Department of Education Standards and Framework Validation Committee. Brad was named the 2023 SHAPE Maryland Adapted PE Teacher of the Year and the 2025 Eastern District Adapted PE Teacher of the Year.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why it’s important for all PE teachers to develop an adapted PE skill set

Strategies for making physical activity accessible for students with diverse abilities

Creative equipment adaptations that support learning and engagement

How PE and APE teachers can build strong, collaborative partnerships

Adapted PE resources every teacher should know about

And more

Brad is a true expert in the field of Adapted PE, and it was a pleasure to learn from him.

Resources and National Convention Sessions

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 [email protected].

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.