Digital Resources, Leadership, and Advocacy in PE:

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The power of quality physical education reaches far beyond the gymnasium walls. When students experience meaningful, well-designed PE programs, they become lifelong advocates for the profession as future parents, school board members, and community leaders.

In this enlightening conversation with Mark and Becky Foellmer, we explore how technology and collaboration are transforming physical education. The Foellmer's, retired educators who now dedicate themselves to leadership roles in professional organizations, share their journey from classroom teachers to creators of CBHPE.org—a free resource platform that has helped nearly 900,000 visitors access user friendly teaching materials.

What began as "Chromebooks in Health PE" has evolved into "Collaboration Builds Health PE," reflecting the site's true purpose: creating a space where educators freely share, modify, and implement resources without barriers. Unlike static PDFs, these materials can be tailored to meet diverse student needs, embodying universal design for learning principles.

The conversation delves into practical advocacy approaches that begin with excellent teaching. "Those students are future decision makers," Mark notes, explaining how quality PE programs naturally cultivate advocates who will influence policy. Simple actions like inviting classroom teachers to observe engaging activities can be just as  impactful as "formal" advocacy events.

For new professionals, the Foellmer's offer invaluable advice about leveraging technology to enhance activity time and building professional connections. They share how artificial intelligence can serve as a virtual colleague for PE teachers, helping with everything from crafting concise communications to generating lesson ideas.

Perhaps most inspiring is their commitment to mentoring young professionals. While retired educators have valuable experience to contribute, they recognize that leadership positions need active teachers who understand current classroom realities.

Whether you're a veteran educator or just starting your career, this conversation will leave you with practical strategies for advocacy, technology integration, and professional growth—all aimed at providing every student with quality physical education experiences that last a lifetime.

Resources:

https://www.cbhpe.org/