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:

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:

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: [email protected]

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:

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] 

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.

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:

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.

Distinguished PE is excited to announce the launch self-paced graduate courses! See below for more information on how to sign up.

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 

Distinguished PE has officially launched new self-paced courses! You can take them for graduate credits, for hours toward renewing your teaching license, or simply for your own professional growth and reflection.

Each course aligns with a chapter from the book Distinguished Physical Education 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 [email protected] or head over to www.distinguishedpe.com and click on Virtual Courses.

Looking for more? Visit the DPE Linktree to:

Podcast and Distinguished Physical Education Logos created by Alex Stone. 

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.