Learn how two schools incorporated coaching and officiating courses into their high school curriculums. Students from both high schools received PIAA Certification FREE of charge while also completing PIAA and NFHS coaching requirements.
Creating a culture of wellness in a school goes far beyond what happens in a single classroom. This session will explore how to intentionally build and sustain a school-wide culture of wellness that supports students, staff, and families.
Attendees will learn practical strategies for establishing a strong foundation from the start of the school year, including building relationships, creating a sense of safety and belonging, and clearly defining what “wellness” means within a school community. The session will also highlight ways to increase staff buy-in by prioritizing connection, listening to staff needs, and empowering key stakeholders to lead alongside you.
Participants will be introduced to the 10–80–10 framework to help focus energy where it has the greatest impact, along with simple, effective ways to create momentum without overwhelming staff.
Finally, attendees will walk away with actionable ideas for fostering collaboration across staff, engaging families, and elevating their role as a leader in shaping a culture of lifelong wellness within their school.
This dynamic cross-curricular session is designed for elementary PE educators seeking practical strategies and ready-to-use activities that integrate movement with academic learning. The focus is on illustrating how meaningful connections can be strategically woven into daily instruction, bridging core subjects like ELA, Math, and Science within physical education to increase topic exposure. Participants will explore a variety of methods and tools that actively engage students’ minds and bodies at the same time.
Angela Snyder holds an Associates Degree in the Arts, a Bachelor of Science, and an M.ed in Kinesiology. She taught physical education in Texas public schools for 33 years before joining the Quaver team as a Health·PE Content Specialist.
Thursday November 12, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am EST Studio 13
Field Day Shorts began as a practical solution to a series of real-world problems. Construction, weather, and scheduling challenges made my traditional field day impossible to run in its previous, familiar form. Instead of one large event in June, the experience was deconstructed and spread across six themed “shorts” held throughout the school year. Each installment features four primary and four for intermediate activities running concurrently, with students rotating every ten minutes during a 45-minute block. This session shares the planning process, structure, and helpful tips that turned a beloved tradition into an improved series of manageable celebrations from September through June.
Engagement is essential in effective health education, yet many classrooms still rely on passive instruction that limits student connection and retention. This session explores how to design and organize interactive health lesson plans that actively involve students through strategies such as simulations, movement-based learning, collaborative challenges, and real-world problem solving. Participants will learn a practical planning framework that aligns objectives, standards, and assessments with engaging instruction, while also addressing scaffolding, time management, and classroom structure. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use ideas, templates, and strategies to increase student engagement while maintaining purposeful, standards-based instruction across a variety of health topics.
Are you looking for fresh, engaging ways to tackle some of the most important — and often most avoided — topics in health education? This interactive session will explore innovative, evidence-informed teaching strategies designed to help educators confidently facilitate conversations around family life education, healthy relationships, and consent. Participants will experience hands-on activities, discussion frameworks, and classroom-ready tools that break down barriers, reduce stigma, and create safe learning environments where students feel empowered to ask questions and engage authentically. Whether you're a seasoned health educator or just beginning to navigate these topics, you'll leave with practical techniques and renewed confidence to bring meaningful, age-appropriate instruction back to your students.
The session will provide insight on how you can incorporate mindfulness, as a class or set of tools for classes, into your secondary physical education program. Information will be provided on how to implement mindfulness, the skills and concepts, along with an example curriculum and practice using mindfulness tools. The presenter will supply examples from his program and share resources for developing mindfulness lessons.
NEW this year-Grab a Cup. Pull Up a Chair. Share Your Pulse.
The idea: Coffee Talks are relaxed, conversation-driven gatherings where educators connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas.
How it works: Choose a topic, grab a coffee or tea, and join the table. A facilitator gets the conversation flowing—no traditional presentation, just meaningful dialogue.
Bring your pulse: Share experiences, challenges, resources, strategies, and solutions. Listen, learn, and leave with fresh ideas from fellow educators.
Sip. Share. Connect. Learn.
Every voice adds to the conversation—and every pulse matters.
Take advantage of our dedicated exhibit hall hours to connect with exhibitors and partners who help make our conference possible. This is your chance to explore innovative products, services, and resources that support health and physical education. Be sure to stop by, ask questions, and thank our partners for their continued support of SHAPE PA!
Thursday November 12, 2026 8:55am - 9:40am EST Olympic Hall
University Chopped Challenge: Get Your Heart Pumping, Future Professionals The challenge: Future physical educators team up for a fast-paced competition that puts creativity, collaboration, and professional knowledge into action. How it works: Teams tackle challenges inspired by the SHAPE America Standards at the elementary and secondary levels. Each round brings a mystery box of equipment, instructional requirements, and teaching considerations. The goal: Create a developmentally appropriate, inclusive, engaging, and standards-based PE experience that impresses the judges and keeps your team advancing. Be Competitive: Judges will be assigned. A winner will be determined. Think fast. Work together. Find your rhythm. Show us why future professionals are the next heartbeat of physical education!
Thursday November 12, 2026 8:55am - 9:40am EST Victory Hall
This will be an open forum discussion guided by several experienced coaches that is good for new and veterans coaches alike. We will hit relevate topics to recreational, school and elite level sports programs.
Network and join other HPE professionals of all grade levels for an informal, interactive conversation focused on sharing practical ideas, tackling common challenges and celebrate what's working well in Health & PE! Bring your experiences, leave with fresh strategies, new connections and plenty of new ideas you can use right away (attendees encouraged to bring 1 lesson to share)
This topic will take an open-mind approach to why it is so important for the next generation to FIND the wellness they like, FUEL that wellness with the right nutrition, and then learn how to LIVE out the wellness they enjoy for the rest of their lives. Discussion and networking on this topic is strongly encouraged.
Legacies are carried in stories: the ones you tell and the ones told about you. Perhaps you will want to tell a Legacy in Leadership story and this is one way to explore how.
Let's discuss how we can better prepare future educators for success from their first day in the classroom/gymnasium. Through guided conversation and shared experiences, participants will exchange practical strategies for strengthening clinical experiences, professional readiness, and partnerships between universities and schools.
Participants will be given the opportunity to make suggestions for issues or topics SHAPE PA should be advocating for in the health and physical education field.
PE may be the only place where every student participates, every grade level connects, and movement can become a shared language across the school. This interactive conversation will explore practical ways PE teachers can strengthen belonging among students, staff, families, and the wider community while elevating the visibility and perceived value of their programs.
Collaborate with current and future HPE teachers and coaches from the perspective of a former HPE teacher and current kinesiology professor/strength coach/personal trainer.
This session explores the honest realities of shifting from traditional PE models to Meaningful Physical Education (MPE). Participants will share real-world success stories alongside common implementation hurdles.
We spend countless hours planning lessons, units, and assessments, but what do students actually remember years later? Join a conversation about designing experiences that students value, remember, and use beyond our classrooms.
Come one, come all! Add your heartbeat to an energizing, interactive Opening Ceremony that will get our conference pumping! The rhythm: Move. Participate. Connect. Have fun. Get key conference updates while adding your energy to SHAPE PA’s cardiac output. Every person brings a unique pulse. Together, we create a powerful collective heartbeat that strengthens our profession. Feel the pulse. Find the rhythm. Be part of the energy. We Are the Heartbeat of Education!
Thursday November 12, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am EST Olympic Hall
Small-sided activities are a key component to successful manipulative activities. This session will equip the attendees with a variety of high energy and challenging activities that can be used in a K-12 setting.
TechNO Dance is an innovative, low-pressure workshop designed for educators who want to bring movement into the classroom without the "stage fright" of traditional dance instruction. The session focuses on breaking down the barrier between creative expression and technical mastery, proving that you don’t need to be a choreographer—or a tech wizard—to get students moving.
Big impact can come from small gestures. Learn how a plastic duck inspired a collaborative text thread, with educators across the globe contributing and creating numerous “duck activities” together, demonstrating how simple concepts can lead to powerful innovation and shared learning.
Discover how this simple “toy” can foster a sense of community through teamwork, communication, collaboration, and being kind to one another. Experience how a duck can spark movement, laughter, and connection while bringing joy and aligning with meaningful learning objectives.
Best of all, these ideas are flexible and adaptable for any setting, whether in the classroom or the gym, and can be used across all grade levels from K 12.
What is it really like to be a health and physical education teacher? Come feel the pulse of the profession during an engaging, roundtable-style conversation designed specifically for undergraduate students. Current and former HPE teachers will share real-world experiences and practical advice about: classroom management, beginning-teacher success, the interview process, advocacy, and making the transition from college to the profession. Bring your questions, exchange ideas, and connect with educators who have been in your shoes. Discover your rhythm, strengthen your confidence, and prepare to add your heartbeat to the future of health and physical education!
Thursday November 12, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EST Inspire
Thursday Lunch | Soup & Salad Take a midday break to refuel, reconnect, and recharge with a comforting soup and salad lunch, followed by an assortment of desserts. Refresh your energy and keep your conference pulse going!
Bring the energy of the world’s game into your PE program with Soccer for Success in School—a standards-aligned curriculum designed to help teachers deliver high-quality, engaging soccer experiences for all students. This training provides ready-to-use lessons, skill progressions, and classroom management strategies that build confidence, teamwork, and fundamental movement skills across grade levels. Walk away with practical tools, adaptable activities, and a clear pathway to confidently teach soccer while creating inviting, high engagement experiences your students will love.
Come explore how using everyday objects in unexpected ways can spark creativity, playfulness, and meaningful movement. By reimagining what “counts” as equipment, participants will experience how props can shift the focus from individual performance to shared exploration, connection, and engagement. This session is intentionally designed to include something for all grades! Grounded in the Meaningful Physical Education (MPE) framework, this session explores how reimagining the purpose of materials can help us design environments where students feel more comfortable, more creative, and more willing to engage in movement in their own ways.
This session is designed for beginning teachers and undergraduate students looking for practical ways to integrate fitness into elementary physical education. Attendees will learn how to make fitness fun and engaging while focusing on fundamental movement skills, instant activities, and minimal equipment. Participants will explore easy-to-implement activities that develop upper and lower body strength and aerobic conditioning, all while keeping students motivated and active. The session will highlight “instant activities” that maximize movement time and require little setup, along with strategies for seamlessly embedding fitness into skill-based lessons. Emphasis will be placed on developmentally appropriate, inclusive practices that ensure all students can succeed and enjoy movement. Attendees will leave with a variety of adaptable games, station ideas, and teaching strategies they can immediately apply in their classes to create positive, high-energy fitness experiences.
Join Mary McCarley, SHAPE America’s 2016 Southern District Health Teacher of the Year and Health Education Content Specialist with Goodheart-Willcox, as she shares instructional strategies to engage students in practicing health skills. From warm up activities to in-class assessments and exit tickets, participants will leave with instructional best practices and health assessments for their teacher toolbox as well as complimentary access to Goodheart-Willcox’s updated skills-based middle and high school health program.
Energy brings Energy! This session explores how health and physical education programs can become powerful platforms for student voice, leadership, and advocacy. Participants will examine practical strategies to empower students to take ownership of their learning, lead initiatives, and drive meaningful change within their schools and communities. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, attendees will learn how to intentionally build opportunities for student agency into curriculum and programming. The session will leave participants with actionable tools to foster leadership, amplify student voices, and cultivate a culture of growth in action.
Think line dancing is only for “dance people”? Think again.
This high-energy, beginner-friendly session is designed specifically for physical educators who want simple, engaging, school-appropriate dances that instantly boost participation, confidence, community, and FUN across K–12 settings. No dance background required!
Participants will learn easy-to-teach line dances, breakdown strategies, classroom management tips, music suggestions, and confidence-building cues that help even reluctant movers experience success. Experience practical ways to teach dance without intimidation while creating an environment where students feel safe, energized, and connected!
As an added bonus, many of the dances taught during this session will appear later that evening at the SHAPE PA All-Conference Social — giving attendees a fun head start before hitting the dance floor together that night!
Come ready to move, laugh, sweat a little, and leave with activities you can use immediately in your PE program!
Join WCU HPE faculty member, Dr. Dlugolecki, and a panel of WCU students for an engaging and informative presentation on aligning secondary physical education (PE) activities and assessments with the 2024 SHAPE America National Standards.
This session will explore effective strategies for integrating the standards into secondary PE curricula. You’ll learn how to design meaningful and engaging PE activities (fitness, adventure, games, etc.) that align with the content outlined in the SHAPE National standards, and gain practical tools for developing assessments that accurately measure student progress and achievement.
Whether you’re an experienced PE teacher or just entering the profession, this presentation will offer valuable insights and resources to elevate your PE program and support student success.
Ready to cook up something different in your classroom? Step into a session where health education meets creativity, movement, and choice. In this interactive experience, you will explore how to design lessons that spark curiosity, get students moving, and inspire meaningful conversations that go beyond the classroom.
Using a “chef’s menu” approach, students become the creators of their own learning through engaging projects like appetizers, entrees, and desserts, each designed to build essential health skills in fun and purposeful ways. From quick warm ups to full lesson experiences, you will walk away with ready to use strategies that promote collaboration, critical thinking, and real world connection.
Come hungry for ideas and leave with a full plate of inspiration!
Health education often starts with the familiar Physical - Social - Emotional health triangle, but educators frequently struggle to convert this foundational visual into actions that resonate with students.
This session introduces CORE Health, a framework focused on building four competencies: Care for My Body, Own My Feelings, Respect Others, and Engage in Healthy Choices. Through interactive activities and classroom examples, see how CORE Health transforms lessons into hands-on, skill-based learning with communication, cooperation, and decision-making.
Designed for elementary students but easily adapted for older grades, CORE Health supports a skills-based health curriculum for all levels.
All shared strategies are low-prep and immediately usable, making them practical tools for educators.
Participants will leave with classroom-ready activities, implementation strategies, and a fresh perspective for designing health instruction that empowers students to apply skills in real life.
Take the next step - bring CORE Health to your classroom to drive transformative student engagement and lifelong wellness.
Program will focus on student-centered activities and interventions for managing anxiety, promoting emotional well-being, and building emotional resistance in school-aged learners. The focus will be on skills-based actionable strategies that participants can instantly implement
Are you looking for dynamic and useful activities that will instantly energize your program? Then this sessions is for you. This session will feature highly engaging activities that you will want to use next week, and your students will be asking for on a regular basis. In this session, you will learn instant activities, main skill focused activities, as well as fun and novel assessment pieces. This is designed for a K-12 audience.
Bring the energy of the world’s game into your PE program with Soccer for Success in School—a standards-aligned curriculum designed to help teachers deliver high-quality, engaging soccer experiences for all students. This training provides ready-to-use lessons, skill progressions, and classroom management strategies that build confidence, teamwork, and fundamental movement skills across grade levels. Walk away with practical tools, adaptable activities, and a clear pathway to confidently teach soccer while creating inviting, high engagement experiences your students will love.
PlayLab redefines the entry process into the gym. Based on work inspired by Megaera Regan, Adrienne Ferretti and Joey Feith, this short readiness block invites students to engage in student-directed play using a small assortment of equipment from a designated cart. The structure helps students regulate energy, share space and equipment, and work through small social challenges with peers before the main lesson content is delivered. This session outlines how PlayLab is introduced, organized, and sustained as a consistent start to class.
Students need meaningful connections now more than ever, and physical education is a powerful setting to build them. This interactive session explores practical strategies for fostering a culture of belonging through intentional routines and engaging activities. Discover ways to strengthen relationships, support social and emotional learning, and create an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and excited to participate. Leave with ready-to-use ideas to weave connection into every lesson.
In past conferences, dedicated time for our local associations to connect, exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and share challenges was a valued tradition. As we “Merge the Past with the Present to Influence the Future,” it’s time to bring that tradition back! Come connect and share your pulse! Bring a local association newsletter, a flyer from a successful event, an idea that worked, a challenge you’re facing—or simply yourself and your experiences. Reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, exchange ideas, and help strengthen the collective heartbeat of SHAPE PA’s local associations. Not connected to a local association? Come anyway! All conference attendees are welcome.
Thursday November 12, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EST Atrium Bar
Every Heartbeat Deserves to Be Celebrated! Established in 1993, the PSAHPERD Appreciation Awards created a meaningful way for members to recognize a family member, colleague, student, or friend who made a difference. After more than 500 recognitions, the awards were renamed in 2017 to honor longtime Executive Director Linda Woods Huber and her lasting impact on SHAPE PA. In the spirit of We Are the Heartbeat of Education, the LWH Appreciation Awards celebrate those whose support, encouragement, and presence strengthen our collective heartbeat. 2026 LWH Appreciation Awards Thursday, November 13 | 4:30 PM FREE and OPEN TO ALL Want to recognize someone who has been part of your heartbeat? Visit the Awards link on the SHAPE PA website. Appreciation Awards are $10 and include recognition, a framed certificate, and a token of appreciation. Celebrate the people behind our heartbeat—and simply say, “Thank you for being part of mine.”
Thursday November 12, 2026 4:30pm - 5:00pm EST Olympic Hall
Enjoy dinner with your colleagues, fellow students, family, friends Dinner & Happy Hour 5:15–6:30 PM | Dinner Ticket: $25 Come hungry and connect with your SHAPE PA community! Happy Hour is FREE to attend—a dinner ticket is only needed if you plan to eat. On the Menu: Build-Your-Own Taco Station: Seasoned beef and chicken, corn and flour tortillas, fresh toppings, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and Southwest rice pilaf with grilled vegetables. Build-Your-Own Pasta Station: Penne or cheese tortellini, Alvera’s meatballs, marinara or vodka sauce, toppings, and house-made garlic bread. Small Bites: Antipasto with cured meats, artisan cheeses, marinated vegetables, olives, crackers, accompaniments, and two chef-selected hot appetizers. Build-Your-Own Salad: Mixed greens, seasonal vegetables, cheeses, crunchy toppings, and assorted dressings. Sweet Finish: Miniature cheesecakes and seasonal mousse creations. Good to know: Dietary restrictions? Let us know when purchasing your ticket, and we’ll be happy to accommodate. The Atrium Bar will also be open for beverage purchases, close from 5:30-6:30 during the Awards Celebration and will reopen at 7:30PM. Save Your Seat: Add a dinner ticket when you register for the conference or purchase one through SHAPE PA Events. Eat. Connect. Recharge. Then get ready to keep the conference heartbeat going!
Thursday November 12, 2026 5:15pm - 6:30pm EST Olympic Hall
Celebrate the heart of our profession as we honor the outstanding professionals whose passion, dedication, and leadership keep SHAPE PA’s collective heartbeat strong across Pennsylvania. During this special event, our SHAPE PA Award Winners, Teacher of the Year Honorees, Violet Baumgartner Scholarship Recipient, and Outstanding Future Professionals will be recognized. These are individuals whose commitment creates a powerful pulse of excellence in their schools, communities, and profession. This inspiring celebration is FREE and OPEN TO ALL conference attendees. Come celebrate the people who strengthen our collective heartbeat, inspire others, and remind us of the incredible impact of our profession. Every honoree has a story. Every educator adds a beat. Together, We Are the Heartbeat of Education! Dressy Casual Please Time Schedule: Festivities will begin with …. 4:30–5:00 → Linda Woods Huber Appreciation Awards-All are Welcome! 5:15–6:30 → Dinner with Music Provided by Evan Wolfgang, Ticket Required 6:30–7:30 → Awards Ceremony (Atrium Bar is closed), No Ticket Required, All are Welcome! 7:30-10:00 All Conference Social featuring music by Evan Wolgang and games, activities, dance moves with Scotty Williams. The Atrium Bar will close during the Awards Ceremony from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM and reopen until 10:00 PM.
Thursday November 12, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm EST Olympic Hall
Hit your heart’s target zone with excitement at the All-Conference Social, directly following the Awards Ceremony! High-Energy DJ Evan Wolfgang and high-spirited Featured Presenter Scotty Williams will keep the pulse pumping with music, dancing, games, and plenty of opportunities for audience participation. Want to take it all in from the sidelines? Spectators are welcome, too! The Atrium Bar will be open for beverage purchases, and free light refreshments will be available throughout the evening. Chill out. Dance like no one is watching. Get your heart in the game. Laugh. Connect. Celebrate. Whether you hit the dance floor, jump into a game, or simply enjoy the energy, come create a fun-filled evening with fellow health and physical education enthusiasts. One conference. One community. One unforgettable heartbeat!
Thursday November 12, 2026 7:30pm - 10:00pm EST Olympic Hall
