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Register for the Next PE Huddle
Changing the Narrative in Secondary PE
About the Free Webinar:
Speakers: Dr. Aaron Beighle, Lisa Smith, and
Sarah Gietschier-Hartman
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm / 4:00 pm CDT – New Time!
Webinar Description:
Lisa Smith and Sarah Gietschier-Hartman join Dr. Aaron Beighle for an energizing episode of the PE Huddle focused on the evolving landscape of secondary physical education. Drawing on their experiences in health, PE, adapted PE, and unified PE, Lisa and Sarah explore how the field is shifting from traditional, sport-dominated models toward more student-centered, meaningful, and inclusive experiences. Their conversation highlights the importance of changing the narrative around PE, creating spaces where students feel safe and supported, and designing programs that engage all learners, especially those who may not have seen themselves reflected in traditional physical education settings.
Throughout the episode, the conversation digs into practical ways teachers can move secondary PE forward, including giving students more voice, choice, and ownership, using the Meaningful PE framework to guide instruction and assessment, and rethinking outdated practices that no longer serve today’s learners. Lisa and Sarah also share honest reflections on disruption, innovation, inclusion, and professional growth, offering encouragement for educators who want to create joyful, relevant, and responsive programs for adolescents. This episode is a thoughtful and inspiring look at what secondary PE can become when teachers are willing to challenge the status quo and center student experience.
Webinar Speakers:
Lisa Smith
Lisa Smith is a Health, Physical Education, and DAPE Teacher and Head Softball Coach at Lakeville South High School in Lakeville, Minnesota. She is the 2025 National High School PE Teacher of the Year. Lisa received her bachelor’s degree from Winona State University and did her Master’s work at the University of Northern Iowa. Lisa’s professional values focus on meaningful and inclusive strategies in HPE and elevating understanding of the needs of all our students. When she isn’t teaching, coaching, or attending/presenting at conferences, her passions include DIY projects, spending quality time with friends and family, and traveling worldwide looking for the best places to put her toes in the sand.
Sarah Gietschier-Hartman
Sarah Gietschier-Hartman is a health and physical education educator in Clayton, Missouri, and serves as Health & Physical Education Department Chair at Clayton High School. She is a two-time SHAPE America Teacher of the Year honoree, having been named the 2018 SHAPE America National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year while at Wydown Middle School, and later earning Central District Health Teacher of the Year honors. Her work focuses on standards-based instruction, formative assessment, health education, and progressive physical education practice.
About Dr. Aaron Beighle:
Dr. Aaron Beighle
Dr. Aaron Beighle (beat-lee) is an internationally recognized expert on physical education and school-based physical activity promotion at the University of Kentucky. With extensive global experience, Aaron regularly collaborates with schools seeking to elevate their P-12 physical education and physical activity promotion efforts. He has written more than 100 research-based and practical articles as well as six books, most notably Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children, now in its 20th edition. He also contributes extensively to Dynamic PE ASAP (dynamicpeasap.com), a leading resource for evidence-based physical education and activity promotion.
Register for the PE Huddle
All registered users will receive a free recording of the webinar. All who watch the webinar will receive one hour of CEUs/CECs.
