The PE Standard

In this episode, host Dexter Pendergraft sits down with Ali Konnerth—former health teacher, PhD candidate, and PE Teacher Education (PETE) instructor at the University of Georgia.

Together, they break down the spectrum of physical education teaching styles and address common misconceptions about what effective PE instruction actually looks like. Ali shares actionable insights on moving away from "roll out the ball" physical activity to intentional, standards-aligned instruction.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Challenging PE Misconceptions: Why keeping students "busy" isn't enough, and how to eliminate elimination-style games.

• Health Integration: Practical strategies for embedding national health education standards into elementary physical education.

• The Spectrum of Teaching Styles: Exploring teacher-directed vs. student-directed instruction, including practice style, reciprocal/peer assessment, and self-check.

• Guided Discovery & Problem-Solving: How to use divergent vs. convergent inquiry to build critical thinking and physical literacy.

• Inclusion as Pedagogy: Utilizing the S.T.E.P. framework (Space, Time, Task, Equipment, People) to modify instruction for all learners.

You see the high-energy dance routines, engaging instant activities, and viral social media clips—but what actually happens behind the scenes in Victor Spadaro’s gym?

In this episode, host Dexter Pendergraft sits down with physical educator, OPEN National Trainer, and Chief Movement Officer Victor Spadaro to pull back the curtain on how he manages, structures, and teaches classes of up to 65 students across Pre-K through 5th grade.

Victor breaks down how he flips traditional lesson planning on its head by leveraging standards-based teaching and backwards design. Instead of asking "What cool game are we playing today?", Victor walks us through how essential standards dictate everything from daily learning targets and micro-assessments to seamless class flow.

In this episode, we unpack:

• A Day in the Life: Victor’s full daily schedule, morning routine, co-teaching dynamics, and managing high-volume classes.

• Flipping the Script on Planning: How to transition from activity-first teaching to intentional, standards-driven unit architecture.

• Logistics on the Gym Floor: Implementing Plickers, exit slips, and quick skill demonstrations with dozens of kids without losing instructional momentum.

• Minimizing Downtime: Structuring 1–2 minute micro-lessons, fitness focuses, and mindful transitions to maximize physical activity.

• Practical Steps for Tomorrow: How to avoid overwhelm by focusing on one essential outcome at a time.

Whether you're looking to streamline your lesson transitions, elevate your assessment game, or build a bulletproof standards-aligned curriculum, this conversation provides the exact blueprint you need.

Connect with Victor Spadaro:

• Facebook: Victor Spadaro

• X / Twitter: @jrv4victory

• Spotify / Apple Music Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31wb6cqhhuzmgrnuj2tu3c5rnf7e?si=6e859acef581490f

  
  

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• The PE Standard: Check out teaching tools, curriculum guides, and resources at thepestandard.com.

In this episode, Dexter sits down with veteran educator and university instructor Cathryn Bass to explore the reality of Adapted Physical Education (APE). With 18 years of elementary teaching experience and a current role preparing future educators at Arkansas Tech University, Cathryn brings a wealth of hands-on insight into building high-expectation, high-support environments for every student.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Defining Adapted PE: Moving past the jargon to understand what adaptation looks like in practice.

• Busting Misconceptions: Why adapting instruction isn't about lowering the bar, but changing the path to reach the same standards.

• Floor Tactics & Routines: Using predictable structures, visual cues, and multi-level progressions to build student confidence and limit overwhelm.

• Navigating IEPs & 504s: Practical ways to turn accommodations into everyday best practices for all students.

• Inclusion Strategies: Real-world advice on supporting self-contained classes and students with complex sensory needs in general education spaces.

Key Takeaway: Every student is capable of learning when we put the child before the need, maintain high expectations, and meet them with the right tools and structure.

The PE Standard

In this episode of The PE Standard, host Dexter Pendergraft sits down with Former Shape America Physical Education Teacher of the Year and content creator Tom Gelardi. Together, they break down the real-world mechanics of student engagement. From planning high-interest entry points ("The Quick Launch") to managing frustrated or unmotivated students on the fly ("Practical Floor Tactics"), Tom shares the exact mindset and routines he uses to ensure every student feels successful in his gym.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Tom structures his day and transitions into high-energy teaching.

• The framework for designing lessons that hook students immediately.

• Practical strategies to de-escalate and support students who shut down or become frustrated.

• How to differentiate instruction so every student experiences a win regardless of skill level.

• Key advice for educators struggling with burnout or low class participation.

Connect & Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Coach Tom Gelardi: Instagram YouTube TikTok

• The PE Standard Podcast: Subscribe, leave a review, and follow for weekly strategies on transforming your gym environment. thepestandard.com

In this episode, host Dexter Pendergraft sits down with Coach Daniel Matos—former personal trainer, NYC PE educator, and current professor and program coordinator at CUNY Brooklyn College.

Assessment is easily one of the most talked-about (and stressful!) topics in PE teacher communities online. How do you assess 500+ students a week when you only see them once or twice for 30 minutes? Does formal assessment mean mountain loads of paperwork? How do you actually turn broad standards into practical, daily learning experiences?

Coach Matos breaks down the essential mindset shifts, backwards planning tactics, and high-volume gym strategies that every physical educator needs to move from overwhelmed to confident.

• The Transition to PE: Coach Matos shares his journey from personal training to leading the PE teacher preparation program at Brooklyn College.

• The Assessment Mindset Shift: Why you don't need to assess every child every single day to measure true proficiency.

• Backwards Planning Demystified: How to unpack broad state and SHAPE America standards into actionable, bite-sized learning rungs.

• Concepts Over Pure Skills: Why focusing on cognitive concepts (like force, speed, and spatial awareness) gives students continuous opportunities to succeed across different units.

• Formative vs. Summative: The vital difference between real-time feedback loops and end-of-unit evaluations.

• Practical Gym Floor Tactics: Managing 500+ kids, organizing groups, utilizing mini-lessons, and using efficient tracking methods (like managing-by-exception).

• 🌐 Official Website: thepestandard.com

• 🤝 Join The PE Collective: Looking to level up your physical education instruction, access proven unit plans, and connect with a thriving community of dedicated PE teachers? Join the Teacher Collective today at thepestandard.com!

What We Cover in This Episode:Resources & Connect

What actually happens when you have two minutes to transition from a room full of Kindergarteners to a class of 6th graders?

In this episode, host Dexter Pendergraft sits down with Coach Stuart Kramer to unpack the daily routines, class structures, and logistics of running a K–6 Physical Education program. Coach Kramer gives a step-by-step breakdown of how he runs his 40- to 48-minute class periods—from entry routines and quick warm-up videos to teaching foundational movement skills over sport-specific games.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Daily Shift: Navigating the physical and mental gear changes between K–2 and 4–6 grade levels.

• Class Period Blueprint: Keeping direct instruction under 5 minutes to maximize student movement time.

• Managing Micro-Transitions: What to do when you only have two minutes between class periods.

• Skills over Sports: How to frame units (like golf and football) to focus on body movement so every student succeeds.

• Honest Assessment: Real talk on the challenges of assessing elementary PE on tight schedules.

• Transition Tactics: Simple routines—like using music cues and clear keywords—to keep class control.

Whether you're a first-year PE teacher trying to build your routines or a veteran looking to streamline your period structure, this episode is packed with practical floor tactics you can use in your gym tomorrow.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The PE Standard!

Physical education is not free play, walking around the track, or "recess with a whistle." It is a vital academic discipline that drives real, standards-based student learning—even with 60 kids in a space and 45 minutes on the clock.

In this episode, host Dexter Pendergraft (K-6 PE teacher, former PreK teacher, private performance coach, and former District PE Coordinator) breaks down the mission of The PE Standard. We are stripping away the old stigmas of physical education and drawing a line in the sand for how we view our subject, our spaces, and our impact.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Origin Story: How lessons from PreK, private athletic performance training, and district administration built a system for physical education excellence.

• Standards Over Stereotypes: Why PE grading must move past simple attendance and compliance to embrace observable, standards-based metrics.

• Changing the Language: Why we need to stop calling our space "the gym" and start treating it like the high-performing classroom it actually is.

• The Roadmap Ahead: What to expect from future episodes as we tackle the daily logistical nightmares of large class sizes, limited time, and practical assessment models.

Whether you are a first-year PE teacher, a seasoned veteran, or a district coordinator, this podcast is built to give you turn-key systems and high-impact strategies to elevate your teaching.

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