SHAPE America Program Councils

SHAPE America's Program Councils carry out SHAPE America's mission by organizing task forces, carrying out and accomplishing work on behalf of the organization and communicating with the membership at large about the needs of the profession and the resources that SHAPE America should provide.


What do the Program Councils do?

The charge of each of the five programs councils includes the following:

  • Advise and make recommendations to SHAPE America staff and the BOD about appropriate programs, products and services related to the respective focus areas listed below, considering overall impact, member benefit and return on investment.
  • Provide recommendations to SHAPE America staff and the BOD on existing programs, products, services, activities in relation to strategic plan and recommend continuation, revision or elimination. Help guide new initiatives through review process and recommend task forces and ad hoc committees needed for completion.
  • Build communication with related SHAPE America Special Interest Groups.
  • Provide report/update prior to each Board of Directors in-person meeting and/or when requested.

 

What is the term of a council member?

Council members begin their term in the month of the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo and end their term three years later, also in the month of the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo.


How often do the Program Councils meet?

Councils primarily conduct their business throughout regular conference calls and regular email exchange.


What content areas are represented by the council?

  • The School Health Education Council addresses the areas of Health Education Teacher Education (HETE), preK-12 School Health Education, and State/District Health Education Administration.
  • The Physical Education Council addresses the areas of Dance, Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE), preK-12 Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education, State/District Physical Education Administration.
  • The Physical Activity Council addresses the areas of lifespan physical activity, dance, sport, adapted physical activity, and outdoor adventure education.
  • The Research Council addresses the areas of curriculum and instruction, exercise science, motivation and psychology, motor behavior and measurement, physical activity and health, sociocultural and social justice, and sport and coaching. It also selects research lecturers, award winners at convention, Research Fellows, and research grant recipients; plans research portion of the national convention, reviews all abstracts for the research portion of the national convention.
  • The Professional Preparation Council identifies and discusses needs/issues related to professional preparation for HETE and PETE, college and university instructional physical activity programs, academic content knowledge, and strategies for addressing the needs/issues related to those areas.

How can I become a member of a council?

Submission Procedures
1
Review the Program Council information on this webpage.


2
Apply online before November 2. Apply here

Submit your application! Applications are due by November 2 for terms beginning at the next annual SHAPE America National Convention & Expo.


Health Education Council

Holly Alperin (Chair), University of New Hampshire, NH

Mary Connolly, Cambridge College, MA

Charlie Rizzuto, Oyster Bay High School, NY

Chia-Liang (Leo) Dai, University of Nevada - Las Vegas, NV

Stacy Furness, University of Wisconsin River Falls, WI

Rachael Gibson, NYC Department of Education, NY

Kristin McGurl, Chappaqua Public Schools, NY

Christopher Pepper, San Francisco Unified School District, CA

Megan Adkins (BOD Liaison), University of Nebraska at Kearney, NE

Physical Activity Council

Lisa Paulson (Chair), University of Minnesota, MN

Kristian Ellingsen, Columbia Heights Education Campus, Washington, D.C.

Jana Moran, New York City Department of Education, NY

Allison Ross, Arizona State University, AZ

Ann Paulls-Neal, Wherry Elementary School, NM

Kyle Bragg, Anasazi Elementary School, AZ

Rose Haggerty, ED, TAHPERD, TX

Francina Hollingsworth, Albright Middle School, TX

Rick Howard, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, MD

Annie Machamer (Grad Student), West Virginia University

Clayton Ellis (BOD Liaison), Mrachek Middle School, CO

Physical Education Council

Nilo Ramos (Chair), Coastal Carolina University, SC

Nicole Lindgren, University of Central Missouri, MO

Toni Bader, Seattle Public Schools, WA

Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky, Alabama A&M University

Jessica Shawley, Moscow School District, ID

Patty Kestell, Thorson Elementary School, WI

Derek Zachary, Overton County School, TN

Robin Walker-Richardson, Jefferson City Public Schools, KY

Jo Bailey (BOD Liaison), DC Everest Senior High School, WI

Research Council

Paul Rukavina (Chair), Adelphi University, NY

Ali Brian, University of South Carolina, SC

Tim Behrens, Northern Arizona University, AZ

Sue Sutherland, Ohio State University, OH

Tao Zhang, University of North Texas, TX

Kevin Andrew R. Richards, University of Illinois, IL

Caitlin Olive (student), University of New Mexico, NM

Sarah Benes (BOD Liaison), Merrimack College, MA

Professional Preparation Council

Erin Centeio (Chair), University of Hawaii, HI

Teasha Jackson, Minot State University, ND

Elizabeth Sharp, Colorado Mesa University, CO

Benjamin Schwamberger, Minnesota State University, MN

Lindsay Armbruster, Burnt Hills-Balston Lake Central Schools, NY

Jan Bishop, Central Connecticut State University, CT

Leah Ketcheson, Wayne State University, MI

Christopher Kinder (Student Member), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL

Kymm Ballard (BOD Liaison), Campbell University, NC