Higher Education Professional Preparation Summit

Sessions and Speakers

Check out the session descriptions for the Higher Education Professional Preparation Summit below! You can browse the full list of sessions and speakers for the HEPPS in the program.

Collegial Discussions About Programming and Teaching in HETE/PETE Programs

SHAPE America’s Professional Preparation Council will kick off the Higher Education Professional Preparation Summit (HEPPS) using a roundtable format on topics that are impacting professional preparation programs across the nation and around the world. Discussion topics will include alternative teacher certification, recruitment and retention, research collaborations, appropriate practices documents, building better relationships between PETE and K-12, social justice policies and practices, and more. Join familiar colleagues and meet new ones as we start the convention with this one-day Higher Education Professional Preparation Summit.

Speakers:

• LeAnn E. Olson
• Shannon C. Mulhearn
• Tashanna GIllenwater-Catron
• Tanjian Liang
• Nilo C. Ramos
• Hillary Glencross
• Leanna Lawson
• Emily D. Clapham
• Craig V Nieman
• Samantha Miller

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Models in Professional Preparation

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape of teaching in higher education. AI does not exclude the discipline of kinesiology and its impact on student learning to prepare future teachers. This session will provide attendees with AI applications to enhance assessment, teaching strategies, and achieving competencies for national standards in the classroom. The attendees will engage in interactive role play to apply AI skills for curriculum development.

Speakers:

• Dwan Bridges
• Elizabeth A Bridges
• Xiaofen Deng Hamilton
• Jennifer Kelly

Scaling Up Readiness: A Scaffolded Field Experience Model

Current literature on physical education teacher education (PETE) underscores the value of scaffolded, progressive field experiences in producing effective, confident, and adaptable teachers. Research indicates that early, frequent, and diverse teaching opportunities -- supported by structured mentoring -- enhance readiness, accelerate professional growth, and improve retention in the profession. Key elements include scaffolded skill development, early authentic practice, high-quality mentor feedback, large-class management exposure, reflective practice, and alignment with high-stakes performance assessments such as EdTPA.

Speakers:

• Deborah S Baxter
• Elizabeth A. Woodruff
• Oleg A. Sinelnikov
• James Thompson
• Boone Brown

Connecting School Physical Activity to Community Health Impact

This session offers a high-level exploration of how Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAPs) and Physical Activity Leaders contribute to broader public health goals. Participants will examine national initiatives, cross-sector partnerships and systems-level frameworks that position schools -- and future physical educators -- as essential contributors to community health. The presentation will highlight opportunities for higher education programs to prepare preservice teachers to navigate and influence this expanding public health landscape.

Speakers:

• Lisa M Paulson
• Aubrey Hope Shaw

Increasing Enrollment and Belonging in a PETE Program

Enrollment in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs is declining nationwide, with many institutions scaling back or discontinuing their programs in line with broader trends in teacher preparation. This session aims to equip PETE faculty with practical strategies to counter these trends and strengthen recruitment and retention efforts. Faculty and undergraduate students from Brigham Young University (BYU) will present a case study demonstrating how their PETE program has achieved consistent enrollment growth over the past three years, despite national declines. Presenters will share a multi-faceted, systematic approach to recruitment -- highlighting the unique role of undergraduate student leadership in fostering program visibility, engagement, and a sense of belonging. This session is designed for higher education faculty seeking actionable strategies to attract and retain PETE students. Attendees will leave with adaptable tools and ideas to apply within their institutional context.

Speakers:

• Payton Marshall
• Sophie Draper
• Maci Amussen
• Laurene Powell
• Kamora Shelton
• Kyla Maldanado
• Todd R. Pennington
• David Barney

HETE & PETE Standards: Progress and Feedback

Join members of the Task Forces for an update on the revisions of the Health Education Teacher Education (HETE) Standards and Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Standards. Presenters will outline the revision process, share priorities shaping the work, and highlight updates on the feedback collected from stakeholders to date. This session will provide insight into how the updated standards are being designed to strengthen teacher preparation and reflect current best practices in both health and physical education. Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide additional feedback to inform the next stage of the revision process.

Speakers:

• Michelle Carter
• Audra Walters

Modeling Excellence: Preparing Future Educators Through Skills-Based Health Education

This presentation describes the redesign of two teacher preparation classes into a single course to better integrate functional health information and skills-based health education. The new course, Foundations of Skills-Based Health Education, immerses future HPE teachers in a model school health classroom experience, simulating the structure and content of quality school health curriculum and pedagogy. Aligned with the SHAPE America National Health Education Standards, the redesigned course emphasizes acquisition of health content knowledge and development of essential health skills necessary to design and implement effective skills-based health education instruction. Through active, student-centered learning, teacher candidates gain instructional competence and a deeper understanding of how skills-based health education supports students' health and well-being. This curriculum redesign reflects a commitment to preparing future HPE teachers with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions necessary to deliver equitable, high-quality health education instruction.

Speakers:

• Kandice Porter
• Monica S. Gerda

Rethinking Adapted Pedagogy: Solving the Curricular Disservice to Preservice Teachers

SHAPE America’s guidelines argue for every child to become physically literate, no matter their ability. However, research is clear that seldom does this occur for children with physical disabilities. In many states, pre-service teachers are required to enroll in only one class of adapted physical education. Preservice teachers are then expected to create an environment where students of all abilities should thrive. With only one class, how does the preservice teacher become prepared in assessment, measurement, curriculum, and pedagogy? What if there were a different approach by combining the adapted physical educational material into all preservice classes? The purpose of this presentation is twofold: 1) to discuss the results of a case study where university preservice teachers were immersed in total curriculum building; and 2) to offer a pedagogical framework and solutions for developing a total curriculum where physical disabilities are addressed in every class not just one class.

Speakers:

• Aubrey Shaw
• Sharon Kay Stoll

Rising Tides Lift All Ships: Sharing Recruitment and Retention Solutions

Enrollment challenges may look different across campuses, but every program benefits from fresh energy, creative thinking and shared solutions. Join this collaborative session to explore adaptable recruitment and retention resources, swap strategies that are making a difference, and openly discuss obstacles facing your institution. Come ready to learn from peers, offer insights and collectively build new approaches to strengthen our programs and the students we serve.

Speakers:

• Meghan Dennis
• Shannon C. Mulhearn

Research Roulette: Share, Learn, Discover

Curious about the latest research directions in higher education? This lively session invites participants to share their interests, pose questions and uncover cross-cutting opportunities for collaborative work. Come network, learn and help shape the conversations driving our field forward.

Speakers:

• Heather E. Erwin
• LeAnn E. Olson