One of my favorite traditions/rituals, both with students and colleagues, is sharing what I'm currently reading, watching, and listening to. I think there’s significant value in these exchanges — they build connections, spark conversation, and remind us that we’re always growing, always learning (and always looking for a good new show, book, or album). As …
This year I was offered the opportunity to do something I had always wanted to do: teach a PETE class. My first reaction was “Wow! I am so honored and excited to do this!” Fast track to: “There is no way I can do this! I know nothing about teaching college kids! I will fail …
“I’ve been dreaming about this big idea…” Recently the last few big ideas have become realities. I started to wonder about why. Because when they hit just right, the impact is deeper than surface level. I’ve been writing microblogs for the last couple years about a few subjects that have shaped my career, but none …
For years, I carried the weight of a dream that was never fully realized. Not because I lacked talent, drive, or love for the game, but because I let toxic male coaches take it away from me. I let them chip away at my confidence, make me question my worth, and convince me that their …
In this guest blog post, Matt Hagedorn explores how AI is revolutionizing education, particularly for health and PE teachers. Drawing from his own tech-savvy background, he highlights six must-try AI tools that save time, enhance student engagement, and streamline lesson planning. I still remember the first time I held an iPhone. It wasn’t just another …
Continue reading The AI Assist: Powering Purposeful Teaching
With the SHAPE America National Convention almost upon us, I am launching a social media initiative that offers numerous advantages for both convention attendees and those engaging virtually on social platforms. The Inspiration Recently, on Instagram, I saw a series of posts from Adam Walker in which he asked attendees at his Podfest Expo session to record a short …
Continue reading Name It, Frame It, Claim It at #SHAPEBaltimore
Launched in 2020, over 200 educators and authors have joined in with the last five #microblog events here on slowchathealth.com. All five have been a huge success, lasting a whole month and featuring voices from across the globe. Sharing bite-sized blog posts of approximately 500 words, there have been submissions from experienced bloggers, first-time writers, …
World Sleep Day 2026 falls on Friday, March 13, with the theme "Sleep Well, Live Better." Organized by the World Sleep Society, this annual event raises awareness about the vital role sleep plays in our overall health and well-being. The science is clear—quality sleep strengthens both body and mind, while poor sleep takes a toll …
Continue reading Rest, Recharge, Repeat: 31 Daily Actions for Better Sleep
Baltimore, nicknamed 'Charm City' in the 70s, is a city I've visited many times, and even plays a minor role in my relocation to America. So you can guess that I'm obviously thrilled to return in a few weeks for the 2025 SHAPE America National Convention and Expo. Running from April 1st to 5th, it's …
Continue reading Conference Like A Pro: Essential Tips For #SHAPEBaltimore
I'm thrilled to feature Matt Hagedorn's guest blog post, where he shares how embracing AI transformed his teaching and helped him conquer the chaos of organization. His journey is a must-read for anyone looking to streamline their work and focus on what truly matters: his students. Matt was the 2023 Ohio Health Teacher of the …
Continue reading From Chaos to Clarity: How ChatGPT Helped Me Find My Missing Piece
Recently, Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver AJ Brown was caught doing something unexpected during a football game: reading a book on the sidelines. The moment went viral, and so did the book he was reading, Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy. The book, which focuses on clearing your mind to perform under pressure, quickly shot to …
This is the 2025 #OneWord post. Click here for the 2026 version! It’s that time of year again, a time with so much promise as people look forward to a fresh start and new beginnings. The start of a new year is a natural time to reflect on the past and plan for the future, …
Continue reading The Power of One Word: A Simpler Way to Start the Year
Drum roll, please! It’s that time of year again when we reflect on the highlights from the blog. As always, these posts resonated with readers for a variety of reasons—some were the most-read, others sparked thoughtful conversations, and a few are timeless classics that just keep inspiring. Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering them …
Continue reading Top 5 Blog Posts of 2024: A Recap of the Year’s Best Reads
As educators, our journeys are defined by growth, reflection, and transformation, and each stage of our career tells its own story. In my NYSAHPERD keynote speech, I explored six stages of teaching, drawing on my personal experiences and insights from nearly three decades in education. I labeled the first stage, “Aspiration and Entry,” which will …
Continue reading Where It All Began: Navigating the Early Stage of Teaching – A Keynote Excerpt
One constant during my 29 years of teaching is that the break from school at the end of the calendar year – winter for me and summer for my Southern Hemisphere friends – comes at just the right time. Leaving for school in the dark, arriving home in the dark, the end of a long …
Continue reading Looking Back, Moving Forward: Meaningful Year-End Reflections
Happy Friday, teachers! We've made it through another (long) week, and before you rush (or in my case, wearily stroll) into the weekend, let’s take a few minutes to pause, reflect, and recharge. Fridays can be more than just a countdown to the weekend; they’re a chance to reconnect with ourselves and the people who …
Continue reading Reflect & Recharge: A Friday Ritual for Teachers
A positive school culture creates an environment where students feel safe, respected, and encouraged to take risks in their learning. Establishing a shared school mission, values and behaviors focused on academic and social-emotional success for every student. Building and maintaining meaningful relationships among teachers and staff and creating an environment where all members feel safe, …
Have you ever cooked a meal that was fine but lacked that spark? It got the job done but wasn’t exciting or memorable. Teaching can feel the same way. Sure, you can throw together a lesson on the fly, and it might cover the basics. But if you really want to engage your students, you’ve …
Continue reading Spice Up Your Lessons: How Meaningful PE Ingredients Transform Teaching
With World Mental Health Day upon us, it's a good moment to reflect on how our mental well-being is connected to movement. In a world where stress and anxiety levels are rising, we often look for quick fixes, but one of the most powerful tools to support our mental health is something we already know …
Continue reading World Mental Health Day: Moving for a Healthier Mind
What if I told you that I taught an entire PE lesson without telling my students what to do? Inspired by a conference session from Lisa Smith and Sarah Gietschier-Hartman entitled Reinventing HPE Teaching, that asked attendees to 'grow with our students' and DiSrUPt our teaching practices, I was determined to try something new with …
Continue reading Empowering Students: How I Led a PE Class Without Giving Instructions
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