Continuous Growth Through Professional Organizations

My Story

As a physical education major at the University of Central Florida in 1980, my professors encouraged us to join FAHPERDD — the Florida Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Driver's Ed. These early state conferences brought together PE majors from universities across Florida for sessions that were as enjoyable as they were enlightening. We connected with peers from FSU, UF, FAU, and many other institutions, and those friendships laid the groundwork for a career-long professional network.

One of my favorite memories from those early years was a road trip to Dallas for a national conference. A group of us piled into a car, drove across the country, and experienced the energy of thousands of physical educators gathered in one place. The inspiration we brought home was immeasurable — and the stories from that trip still make me smile decades later.

Four Decades of Conference Participation

Over the course of forty years in the profession, I have made a personal financial investment in membership dues and conference registration fees — and I have never regretted a single dollar spent. The knowledge, the relationships, and the renewed sense of purpose that come from gathering with fellow educators are worth every cent. At our recent SHAPE Florida state conference, I had the joy of reconnecting with Hollie Newnan, the organization's executive director, and Marilynn Orr, a physical education teacher from Lake County High School. These are the kinds of lifelong professional friendships that sustain a career.

Six Strategies for Continuous Improvement

Whether you are attending your first conference or your fortieth, here are six strategies to help you grow continuously as a physical education professional.

1. Reading and Googling

Stay current by reading peer-reviewed journals and professional publications. The Strategies journal and the Journal of Physical Education Recreation and Dance are two excellent resources that offer practical, research-based content for physical educators. In addition, the web is an enormous and ever-growing library — use it. Search for new activity ideas, lesson plan templates, current research, and trends in health and physical education. The more you read, the more tools you bring to your students every day.

2. Joining a Support Group

You do not have to navigate the profession alone. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), teacher discussion forums, and social networking platforms connect educators who share your challenges and your passion. Whether your support group meets in a school conference room or in an online forum at ten o'clock at night, finding your people makes all the difference. These communities offer a safe space to ask questions, share resources, vent frustrations, and celebrate victories.

3. Engaging in Professional Development

Take advantage of every professional development opportunity available to you — district in-service days, state and national conferences, and online webinars. Each of these experiences offers a different kind of learning. District in-service connects you with colleagues close to home. State and national conferences expose you to a broader community and the latest research. Online webinars provide flexible, on-demand access to expert knowledge. Commit to attending at least one state or national conference each year, and look for webinars that address areas where you want to grow.

4. Sharing Your Expertise

Growth is not just about taking in — it is also about giving back. Share what you know with the broader professional community. Submit lessons and activity ideas to resources like pecentral.org and peuniverse.com. Contribute to the Gopher Contributor Network. Invite a colleague to observe your class, then observe theirs. Present at a local, state, or national conference. Mentor a student teacher or a new educator at your school. When you teach others, you deepen your own understanding and strengthen the entire field.

5. Serving Your Profession

Consider stepping into leadership roles within your district, your state organization, or your school community. Serve on district or state committees that shape physical education policy and practice. Position yourself as the physical activity expert at your school — be the person your principal, counselors, and classroom teachers turn to when they want to understand the connection between movement and learning. Community leadership amplifies your voice and your impact far beyond your own gymnasium.

6. Continuing Your Education

Never stop learning. Pursue graduate school if you have the opportunity — an advanced degree in physical education, exercise science, or educational leadership can open new doors and deepen your expertise. Online education has made advanced degrees more accessible than ever before. If a full degree program is not feasible right now, pursue continuing education units (CEUs) through workshops, certifications, and professional development courses. Every new credential is a new tool in your professional toolkit.

Get Started Today

Start slow, ask questions, and engage with fellow teachers. You will be inspired and renew your energy for the profession. The physical education community is one of the most welcoming, passionate, and generous professional communities I have ever encountered. All you have to do is show up.

To connect with a national professional community, visit Shape America at shapeamerica.org. From there, you can find your state organization and discover upcoming conferences, membership benefits, and leadership opportunities near you. Your next great professional connection is waiting.