The goal of our "Member Spotlight" Feature is to showcase members that are making a difference and to share how they have benefitted by being an ASAHPERD member.
How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?: 18 years
Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?: I wanted the opportunity to attend the conferences and get as much information as I could to help improve my pe classroom.
Who has inspired you in your career?: I get inspired every year when I walk in the door of the school with the kids. They make me want to be better and make me want to have new ideas for them to enjoy.
What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?: It has definitely helped me by providing professional development year in and year out. Personally, the HEAL program which I guess you could say is intertwined with ASAPHERD has taught me numerous health habits and how to better my own life. I enjoy teaching those habits to children.
Why would you recommend membership to others?: It is a networking tool in itself. Besides the professional development you will leave the conferences with countless peers and gain ideas and knowledge from co-workers
August Spotlight
Alphonso Lewis
How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?: 20+
Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?: I joined for the CEUs, but I soon realized the professional development and networking opportunities was a good fit for me. I have been able to network with other physical educators across the state while sharing resources and information I otherwise may not have received if I wasn't a member.
Who has inspired you in your career?: The person who has inspired me to become more proficient in my career would be my colleague Coach Sharon Smith. Her dedication to the Physical Education Program at Glen Iris has inspired me and my love for what we do. She inspired me to see physical education differently and embrace the journey I were heading on. She has been the inspiration I needed to continue growing in this profession.
What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?: Personally I have made great connections and lifelong friendships with with professionals in my field. Creating these friendships has also grown my professional knowledge. I have had the chance to experience and learn things from these individuals that I can take back to my own school and make physical education more fun and effective.
Why would you recommend membership to others?: I would recommend a membership to ASAHPERD, because it a great opportunity to connect with like minded educators in the state and continuously grow and improve the physical education practices.
July Spotlight
Brianna Rudolph
How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?: I have been a member for over six years, two as a future professional and four years as a physical education teacher.
Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?: I was introduced to ASAHPERD as an undergraduate. I saw it as an opportunity to learn from experts in the physical education field and grow as a teacher.
Who has inspired you in your career?: Dr. Sandra Sims has been a tremendous inspiration since I attended UAB. Her passion for physical education continues to motivate me. I often think of her throughout the school year when I write lessons and try new strategies. My former superintendent, Dr. Daniel Shakespeare, is another inspiration in my career. His enthusiasm for improving students’ quality of education is contagious. His work ethic and dedication inspire me to want to be a better teacher.
What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?: Being a member of ASAHPERD positively challenges me personally and professionally. Attending ASAPHERD conferences compels me to reflect on my “WHY”. Every time I participate, I leave feeling recharged and reminded of my calling.
Why would you recommend membership to others?: I would recommend others to become members for the three main reasons. The first reason is the vast network of exceptional professionals. The second reason is the opportunities to share and gather innovative ideas and lessons. The third reason is the access to resources, grants, companies, and business partnerships to enhance their programs.
June Spotlight
Emily Pharez
How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?: 25 years ( I think)
Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?: I signed up so I could attend the summer workshop in Columbiana and then the Fall Conference in Birmingham. That's when I realized how much I could learn and how much fun I could have at conferences! I met so many fantastic physical educators and made such great friends that I just kept coming back for more!
Who has inspired you in your career?: I am inspired daily by my students and fellow educators. But I will have to say the one teacher that started the flame for me to be a Physical Educator was Ms. JoVeal Turner, my elementary PE Teacher. She was the one I wanted to be like, the teacher I wanted to follow.
What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?: Through ASAHPERD I have formed some of the strongest bonds with my fellow physical educators. Through the network of educators in my own school system and throughout the state I was able to grow as an educator. Because of the knowledge shared I became a better teacher for my students.
Why would you recommend membership to others?: I would recommend membership in ASAHPERD to anyone that is in the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance fields. We are not an island, we all need support and guidance as we navigate our way through our careers. The contacts and friends you make as a member of ASAHPERD will be the fuel that keeps you going when the going gets tough.
May Spotlight
Don Little
How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?: Not sure, but probably 15+ years.
Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?: Originally for the professional development opportunities, which I was unable to get anywhere else. More and more however, it became for the sharing of ideas and how to overcome problems or how better present the content and bring it alive to my students with like minded professionals.
Who has inspired you in your career?: There are many people who have inspired me over my career, but 3 who come to mind immediately are Dr. Mark Kittleson who is currently the chair of Public Health at New York Medical College. Dr. Kittleson's interest in technology and Health Education has been the motivation for me to learn and be involved with online education. Also Ms. Jaci Eckell, my mentor with ACCESS Health Education, who has always been full of innovative ideas and techniques in the classroom. Finally, Dr. William Hey, who has been a colleague since the the late 80's.
What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?: Professionally ASAHPERD has been a driving force in keeping me up to date with the latest trends and issues in Health Education.From a personal standpoint it has allowed me to become associated with a group of individuals who are passionate about our profession and help fuel my passion for the profession
Why would you recommend membership to others?: Yes, without a doubt! What I have gained through ASAPHERD in both knowledge and relationships has been invaluable to me as both a professional and individual.
April Spotlight
Allison Gulock
How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?: About 20 Years!
Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?: I originally joined ASAHPERD as an undergraduate student at UAB almost 20 years ago! When I first joined it was a requirement as an undergraduate student. It was a great networking opportunity to meet teachers in the field. It also gave me an opportunity to attend sessions and learn from some of the best in our field.
Who has inspired you in your career?: I would say I was inspired by all of my professors at UAB who I gained knowledge and experience from throughout my undergraduate and graduate degrees. When starting out as a student teacher I was very fortunate to be able to work with Toni Leo at Oak Mountain High School and Allen McGowan at Oak Mountain Elementary. Both of these individual had established programs and were very well know in the profession. After working with the elementary age students I knew that that was the age that I wanted to teach. I was very blessed out of college to be able to get my first teaching job at Mt Laurel Elementary. I have been here 18 years and I am sure that I will retire from here! I was very fortunate to be able to work with my co teacher, Lisa Bagley for 17 years before she retired last year. She definitely impacted the teacher I am today bringing out my creative side and together we established a reputable PE program for our school. I also have been very fortunate to have many administrators including Dr. Bill Naugher, Angela Walker, Celita Carmichael and Tina Neighbors who throughout my career have always been very supportive of our program. My students also inspire me daily with their excitement for PE pushing me as an educator to find new activities and engaging lessons for them!
What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?: Without ASAHPERD our profession in the state of Alabama would not be what it is today. They are continually providing opportunities for growth in our field. Without ASAHPERD I would not be the teacher I am today. The leaders of this organization go above and beyond to provide resources for growth as a teacher and also communicating the importance and value of our profession to state and national leaders. Attending conferences each year allows me to attend sessions and gain new ideas to come back and present to my students. Personally ASAHPERD allows me to stay connected to professors and colleagues that otherwise I would not be able to see on a yearly basis. It is amazing twenty years later to see Dr. Hester along with others from UAB who had such a profound impact on my life as a college student.
Why would you recommend membership to others?: ASAHPERD is the only organization in our state that is geared towards knowledge and growth for teachers in our field. With membership you will be connected with a group of people in our state who can relate to what you do on a daily basis including class size, curriculum, etc. It is like having a support group! Through membership you will have the ability to attend conferences throughout the year where presenters are brought in from around the country to provide the newest and most innovative teaching ideas. ASAHPERD leaders advocate for our field and provide many resources throughout the school year.
March Spotlight
Rebecca Recke
How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?: 10 plus years
Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?: I had transferred from Mortimer Jordan High School to Bryan Elementary after 11 years of coaching softball and volleyball and teaching health. I felt like a fish out of water when I walked into the elementary gym the first day and for days to follow. I went from teaching 10th graders to kindergarteners...day and night. I needed to learn so many things. The best source was through the ASAHPERD conferences. My colleagues at Bryan Elementary were familiar with these conferences so we decided to attend together as we began to merge our ideas and develop a curriculum. The 3 of us would go to different sessions to gather all we could at conferences. It became a game changer for my confidence as an elementary teacher and as a corner stone for developing a quality program.
Who has inspired you in your career?: My biggest inspiration in my career, especially as an elementary teacher of physical education, has been my own children, Dylan and Orion. Both of my children were in school at Bryan when I became their teacher. We would do a variety of activities in class. As children do, they would ask me why was class so boring. Why can't we do this or that? I realized that if my own children felt this, what were the other children feeling. So, my own children taught me way before National Boards to gather feedback. One of the most impactful events my school does is the Family Fun Run. This will be our 17th year. It grew from 50 people at the first event to over 1200 as of last year. This event was started as my own children said, "Mom why can't we have our own race so our friends can come". My kids are grown now; my inspiration is my current "school" children.
What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?: ASAHPERD membership has increased my self confidence personally and professionally. I really cannot separate the two. My professional self is intertwined with my personal self. They are one in the same. I have had the pleasure and absolute delight in getting to present at conferences throughout the years. I felt vulnerable presenting something from my program; however, my colleagues were very receptive. In every session I presented, there was always a time to interact and receive compliments and questions and ways to learn from others who had done similar activities. Professionally, it gave me confidence that I was perhaps a quality teacher...that perhaps I was making a difference...perhaps I had initiated and developed a program that would be worthy of being imitated...perhaps I was on my way to leaving a "legacy".
Why would you recommend membership to others?: I would most certainly recommend membership to others. When I was in college at Troy State University, we were told to join our professional organization. I really didn't understand the importance except to receive PD hours. When I became a teacher with my own students and program, I found that I needed to learn from other teachers in my field. I needed to hear from teachers who had experience. I needed to become aware that there are multiple ways to teach the state curriculum. I needed to realize that I was not the only teacher that had obstacles in organization of 120 students in 40 minutes. Membership in this organization provides knowledge way beyond what can be received from a textbook or a website. Attending the conferences are a no brainer. There is an exchange of ideas and modifications so that everyone takes away valuable information. To have a quality program...to take pride in what we do in the gym...we have to be continuous learners...adapting to our own environment on a daily basis.
