Let’s be real—we all scroll. It’s baked into our routine. Coffee. Email. Group text. Twitter (not so much anymore). Bluesky (not what we hoped it’d be… still time though!). TikTok. Scroll, scroll, scroll.

So… why not make one of those scrolls meaningful?

That’s what the HPE Collective is. A space where Health and PE teachers can connect, reflect, share, and yes—vent if needed. But more than that, it’s where we grow. It’s where the energy we all feel at our best professional moments can live 365 days a year.

Huge credit goes to Jordan Manley, who poured his heart into making this space happen. The HPE Collective exists because of his vision, his passion, and the blood, sweat, and tears he’s put into building something that truly supports this profession. He’s doing all this because he cares. And it shows.

Because the truth is, HPE is messy and inconsistent. It’s incredible and frustrating all at once. It varies wildly across districts, buildings—even across the hall. Some of us are the only ones who truly “get it” in our schools. We’re building skills-based units, setting up advocacy lessons, and pouring our hearts into this work… while down the hallway, someone’s still rolling out the dodgeballs like it’s 1996.

What Happened to HPE Twitter?

There was a time when HPE Twitter was electric. Educators were sharing best practices daily—posting pictures of lessons, celebrating wins, swapping ideas, offering feedback, and fueling a community that felt both inspiring and alive.

Now? It’s almost gone. A few passionate educators are still posting, but nothing like the constant sharing and collaboration we saw a few years ago. Bluesky hasn’t fully caught on. And Twitter—or …..(I refuse to call it X)—has lost its spark.

That’s why the HPE Collective is so important. It’s where that energy still exists—and it’s where it can grow. It’s where the conversations still happen, and where we can bring that same daily fire back to the profession.

If You’ve Felt That Energy… You Know

If you’ve ever been to a national SHAPE conference, you’ve felt it—that buzz in the hallway, the fire in a breakout session, the impromptu brainstorms between educators who just get it. That energy is real.

But even if you haven’t been to SHAPE, maybe you’ve felt it:

• On Twitter, when the HPE community was thriving
• At a state-level conference where one session blew your mind
• In a conversation with a passionate teacher who reminded you why this work matters

That electricity-the—the passion, the purpose—is still alive.
The challenge is keeping it alive in the day-to-day. The HPE Collective is a space where that vibe doesn’t have to fade when the conference ends or the tweet gets buried.

It’s Bigger Than Just Our Classrooms

The work we do matters. But this work has always been about more than just our individual lessons or classrooms.

It’s about the students. All students. 

It’s about helping them build skills that last long after they leave our class. It’s about making sure every student—regardless of who their teacher is—gets access to health education that’s relevant, respectful, and empowering.

When we share what works, ask honest questions, and learn from each other, we’re not just improving our own practice—we’re making health education better for every student out there.

Show Up to Learn, Not Just Take

Let me be honest—I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook’s Health Teacher Central. Shoutout to Jeff Bartlett, a co-founder of the HPE Collective —I fully borrowed that phrase from him because it nails the vibe.

The group is full of valuable content. Teachers generously share lessons, activities, advice, and support. You’ll find passionate educators who truly care and want to do right by their students. It’s a valuable resource, especially for those developing their practice or needing a quick idea.

Many of us turn to the group seeking resources, and that’s a testament to our commitment.

“What documentary do you use for nutrition?”
“Anyone have a worksheet for this?”
“Anyone have a mental health unit I can use?”

It’s a steady stream of “Can I have…?”

This spirit of collaboration is a strength. We’re a community that isn’t afraid to ask for help, and that’s something to celebrate. The next step in our growth is to build on this foundation of sharing by deepening our professional inquiry, asking:

 “How can I teach this skill in a way that empowers my students?”
“What’s the best practice approach to this topic?”
“How do I move from content dump to student-centered learning?”

Many health teachers haven’t had specific training in skills-based health education. Some were given outdated materials—or no curriculum at all—and had to figure it out on their own. Others were simply assigned to teach health with little to no experience. We recognize the systemic challenges that many teachers face.

This is why communities like The HPE Collective are so important.

This space is about more than sharing resources—it fosters growth and empowers teachers to evolve. It’s a place where educators can:

• Learn how to build skills, not just deliver facts
• Explore modern, relevant approaches to tough topics
• Rethink lessons to reflect real life, not just standards
• Find support that says, “You can do this differently—and better.”

This is an invitation to learn and grow together.

Because when we ask, “How can I learn to do this the right way?” we create transformative change for ourselves and our students. 

If We All Got Together…

If we all committed to checking in—even for five minutes a day—how much stronger could this profession be?

What if we spent a little less time scrolling TikTok… and a little more time scrolling through posts from real HPE Collective educators?

And just to be clear—there’s nothing wrong with a good TikTok scroll or getting caught up in screen time. We all need that escape sometimes. This is just about balance—and making space for a scroll that actually fuels your purpose.

Your Call to Action: Join the Movement

We don’t need to wait for permission to grow, connect, or make this profession stronger.

We just have to show up—for ourselves, for each other, and most importantly, for our students.

Here’s your 3-part challenge:

1. If you’re not signed up for the HPE Collective (<– Click here! ) yet, go do it now.

No excuses. You belong in this space. It’s growing, and it’s made for educators like you.

2. Put it where your scroll lives.

Bookmark the site. Add the Mighty Networks app to your phone. Stick it right next to that other scroll—the one with dog videos, memes, and 3-hour political debates.
This becomes your healthy scroll of the day.

3. Post something. Just one thing.

• Something you’re proud of
• Something you’re struggling with
• Or something you’re just curious about—“How are you teaching ___ these days?”
  

Because when we start showing up consistently—not just to take, but to grow—the whole profession benefits.

And more importantly, so do our students.

This microblog post was a featured post in #slowchathealth’s #microblogmonth event. You can search for all of the featured posts here. Please do follow each of the outstanding contributors on social media (including Matt Hagedorn, the author of this post) and consider writing a microblog post of your own to be shared with the global audience of slowchathealth.com

Pair this post with the following:

Introducing The HPE Collective by Jordan Manley

Bite-Sized PD by Andy Milne

From Back Row to Center Stage by Matt Hagedorn

Find Your Tribe by Cindie Cortinas-Vogt

Have you read the latest Book of the Month recommendation?