Prioritizing Student Health with a Quality Physical Education Program and How to Evaluate Your Program!

Attendees will learn what a quality physical education program entails focusing on effective instruction, assessment, national standards, and components. They will also know what elements to look for when evaluating teachers and programs.

Participants will:

• Understand the importance of a quality physical education program as a vital part of the school curriculum
• Understand the essential components of physical education
• Learn the appropriate practices involved in the implementation of developmentally appropriate instruction in physical education
• Understand and be able to utilize the Administrator's Observation Checklist for Physical Education Instruction

Presenter: Maria Melchionda, MA Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

PD Hours: 3 in Content Area Safe and Supportive Learning Environments

Fees: Member $150 / Non-Member $205

MSAA Contact: Ethel Kawesa, ekawesa@msaa.net

About the Presenter

Maria Melchionda | Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

Maria Melchionda has been in education for 40 years. She has a Master’s in educational leadership (K-6) and a Bachelor of Science, licensed in K-9 physical education, both degrees from Bridgewater State College. Her experiences include teaching in the public schools as an elementary and adapted physical educator for 20 years; Past President of the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; member of the AAHPERD National Association for Sport & Physical Education Public Relations Committee and Past Chair of the AAHPERD Public and Legislative Affairs Committee. Maria has served as SAM (Society of Association Management-all state ED’s) Chair of the Eastern District Association and SAM Chair of SHAPE America.

Maria has made numerous presentations in various arenas on the national, regional, and state levels pertaining to quality health and physical education for all students. Maria received the 2004 MAHPERD Elementary Teacher of the Year; recipient of the 1997 MAHPERD Honor Award and 2011 Presidential Citation; recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Professional in Physical Education Award from SHAPE America Eastern District and the 2017 Tilia J. Fantasia Service Award from SHAPE America Eastern District.

Presently, Maria is an Adjunct Professor at Bridgewater State University; the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) and the CEO of the National Academy for Health and Physical Literacy (NAHPL). She is a proud alum of BSC (BSU) and serves on the Bridgewater State Physical Education Alumni Council.