New Ideas in November

I started off November by attending the Michigan Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Convention, otherwise known as MAHPERD. It was encouraging to meet with many other physical educators throughout the state of Michigan to share ideas and stories. This year the conference was in Dearborn, Michigan and I was able to attend with one of my greatest colleagues (and friend :), Rachel Moberg, who currently teaches K-8 P.E. at South Arbor Charter Academy in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I attended workshops on Service Learning, New Circle Games, Health/P.E. incorporation, personal/social behaviors in P.E., Zumba Fitness, and The Groove Method. I was also able to attend the Fuel Up to Play 60 Workshop, and even got a signed football autograph from Detroit Lion, Herman Moore. (The football will be a prize for a CCA student at some point during this year).

This year's conference theme was Quality (Re)Considered. As a physical educator, I have to reconsider my teaching priorities and analyze whether my students can relate to the same priorities. Physical Education is moving away from the "Old" P.E. of teaching sports to the "New" P.E. of teaching health and wellness. Sports can definitely be a part of this, as many students develop a love and gain hold of a certain sport for a lifetime, but overall, physical education needs to reach all students, and teach them how to be HEALTHY and WELL for a lifetime.