SHAPE MT 2026: Full Schedule

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8:00am MDT

Holiday in Motion: PE Fun For Every Season

Monday August 3, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am MDT

This activity-based session will explore active and inclusive activities for PE that can be used to celebrate holidays! Discover fun ways to promote movement, cultural appreciation, and community spirit in your gym or classroom through joyful, seasonal play! Learn to incorporate holidays into PE supporting physical development while fostering a welcoming environment for all students.

Speakers

Brian Devore

Professional Development Director, OPEN

Monday August 3, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am MDT
Big Gym

about <br>

9:00am MDT

Behind Every Great Teacher Is A Great Mentor

Monday August 3, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am MDT

Classroom 1

Physical education and health teachers play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of educators. This session highlights the unique impact of mentoring and hosting student teachers in PE and health settings. Learn best practices for creating meaningful experiences, fostering professional growth, and navigating the responsibilities of being a cooperating teacher. Whether you're a veteran mentor or considering taking on a student teacher for the first time, this session will provide practical strategies, shared stories, and inspiration to support future professionals in our field. Come learn and share ideas on ways to mentor Preservice Teachers!

Speakers

Meaghan Schrader

Meaghan Schrader just finished her 20th year as a physical education teacher in Missoula, Montana. She received her bachelor degree from the University of Montana and later, she earned her Master of Education at Montana State University Billings. Over the course of her career she... Read More →

Erin Evans

Hi my name is Erin Evans. I have been teaching Elementary Health and PE for 11 years in Billings Montana. I an honored to have received the Teacher of the Year from SHAPE Montana in 2024 and was awarded SHAPE America Western District Teacher of the year in 2025. I have 6 kids and... Read More →

Karie Orendorff

Karie is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Physical Education & Health program at Montana State University. Karie has been involved in teaching for 31 years, 18 years was at the K-12 level, and 13 years in higher education. She earned her PhD at the University of South... Read More →

Julie Smith

K-5 HE, Hawthorne Elementary Bozeman

Julie Smith grew up near Park City, Utah. Her dad was a state park ranger at Rockport State Park. Her family spent many happy years swimming, hiking, water skiing and fishing right out their back door. Growing up in an active family gave her a deep seeded passion for living an active... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am MDT
Classroom 1

9:00am MDT

Classroom/gym management and variety within a days lesson.

Monday August 3, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am MDT

Small Gym

Come learn a number of ways, with examples, to provide variety within any one days lesson. Teaching a lot of skills for a small amount of time each. As opposed to any one skill for a longer stretch of time

Speakers

Ed Burke

Teacher - Health/PE, Science, Sheridan Public Schools

My name is Ed Burke, I've been teaching 33 years. 25 of those in Sheridan. I've taught primarily Health and Physical Education, but also life science/biology. In my 33 year career I've also served as Athletic Director in Sheridan for over 20 years. I've also coached a bit of... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am MDT
Small Gym

9:00am MDT

High Flying Frisbee Games

Monday August 3, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am MDT

Big Gym

This session uses frisbee progressions to demonstrate classroom management, social skills, physical skill development, and assessment. Participants will also be given the basics on how to backwards design a standards based Flying Disc Unit.

Speakers

Will Potter

William Potter is a San Francisco native and currently teaches physical education at Serendipity School in Belmont, California. William has been teaching Physical Education since 2002 and has been an OPEN National Trainer since 2018. In 2019 William was honored as the CAHPERD... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am MDT
Big Gym

10:00am MDT

Create Body Confidence in the Health Education Classroom

Monday August 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am MDT

Classroom 1

We live in a world obsessed with appearance. With the advent of social media we are seeing children at younger and younger ages impacted by the false idea of ideal body size. Kids as young as three show preference for thin bodies over larger bodies. Weight is the number one reason for bullying in schools, and more adolescents and young adults report body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behavior than ever before. BeReal is a non-profit dedicated to spreading body confidence around the world. They are developing resources to support communities tin changing the culture around food and bodies. In this session, you will be provided with evidence-based tools and strategies to change body culture in your school. You will leave with practical tools and strategies to address body and food concerns in the classroom and provided with additional resources to support you in creating a body inclusive culture within your school system.

Speakers

Jessi Peterson

Jessi Peterson is a registered dietitian nutritionist currently working toward a PhD in Adult and Higher Education. She received her undergraduate degree from Montana State University in Food and Nutrition Science and went on to complete her dietetic internship and master’s degree... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am MDT
Classroom 1

10:00am MDT

Creating Your Fit: A Student-Centered Approach to Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Development in PE & Weight Training

Monday August 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am MDT

Small Gym

This session introduces a comprehensive, student-centered approach to physical education and weight training through the “Creating Your Fit” framework. Grounded in the 2024 SHAPE America High School Standards and aligned with the NHSSCA (National High School Strength Coaches Association) curriculum, this presentation redefines fitness as a multidimensional concept that includes physical performance, emotional readiness, and cognitive understanding.
Participants will explore how the Movement Menu (Mild–Medium–Spicy) model empowers students to self-select appropriate intensity levels based on their individual needs, goals, and daily readiness. This approach is paired with a Daily Tracker and Reflection Table, allowing students to monitor progress, build self-awareness, and make informed decisions about their fitness journey.
Through real-world classroom examples, educators will see how this framework increases engagement, promotes inclusivity, and supports differentiated instruction without sacrificing rigor. The session highlights how integrating strength and conditioning principles with standards-based physical education creates meaningful, transferable learning experiences that prepare students for lifelong health and fitness.
Attendees will leave with practical tools, implementation strategies, and assessment ideas that can be immediately applied in both PE and weight training environments.

Speakers

Derek Thomas

Monday August 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am MDT
Small Gym

10:00am MDT

Omnikin: Have a BALL with Action-Packed Fun for All!

Monday August 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am MDT

Big Gym

Whether you are looking for a new or modified team sport, cooperative and community-building activities, or fun with fitness and skill development, Omnikin has you covered! This exhilarating and dynamic session will feature highlights of our famous lightweight, non-threatening 14”-48” balls that will generate excitement in your classroom like never seen before! Both your students and you will surely have a BALL!

Speakers

Meaghan Schrader

Monday August 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am MDT
Big Gym

11:00am MDT

Move It To Learn It: Health Content in Action

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am MDT

Small Gym

Looking for ways to make health content stick without sacrificing movement time? This session brings health concepts to life through active PE games that reinforce nutrition, wellness, body awareness, and healthy decision-making. Designed for elementary learners, these activities help students review key concepts while naturally building understanding through movement, teamwork, and fun. Expect practical ideas, active participation, and games you can immediately bring back to your gym.

Speakers

Erin Evans

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am MDT
Small Gym

11:00am MDT

One Net, Three Games

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am MDT

Big Gym

Make the most of your volleyball nets with this dynamic, hands-on session! You’ll learn how to introduce and play volleyball, NitroBall, and Eclipse Ball, integrating them seamlessly into your curriculum. Through engaging skills, drills, and gameplay, you'll experience each sport firsthand while discovering practical ways to bring them into your school. Plus, explore sample unit plans to help you implement these games with ease. Get ready to move, have fun, and transform the way you use your volleyball nets!

Speakers

Sawyer Koplien

Middle School Physical Education, Health Education, and Adapted Physical Education Teacher, Unified School District of Antigo

2024 SHAPE America Major of the Year

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am MDT
Big Gym

11:00am MDT

Training the Teen Female Athlete

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am MDT

Classroom 1

Teen female athletes are not just “smaller versions” of adult athletes—they are navigating rapid physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that directly impact how they move, train, and perform. During puberty, girls experience shifts in strength, coordination, body composition, and the introduction of the menstrual cycle, all of which can influence energy levels, recovery, and injury risk.

This presentation explores why training female athletes requires a more intentional and informed approach during these critical years. We’ll break down how puberty affects movement patterns, why injury risk (especially knee injuries like ACL tears) increases, and how coaches can better support their athletes through these changes.

More importantly, we’ll focus on solutions. Attendees will learn practical strategies to:

Build strength, stability, and proper movement mechanics
Support athletes through their menstrual cycle with awareness and flexibility
Create a training environment that fosters confidence, body awareness, and long-term athletic development

By shifting the focus from performance alone to education, empowerment, and sustainability, we can help female athletes not only perform better—but feel stronger, more confident, and more in control of their bodies.

Speakers

Kenzie Scofield

I am a certified personal trainer, health coach, and flexibility coach, as well as a former collegiate athlete. I currently teach ELP–2nd grade physical education in Livingston while also running my own personal training business.

My goal for both my students and clients is to h... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am MDT
Classroom 1

12:00pm MDT

LUNCH!!!

Monday August 3, 2026 12:00pm - 12:55pm MDT

LUNCH AREA

Monday August 3, 2026 12:00pm - 12:55pm MDT
LUNCH AREA

1:00pm MDT

From Zero to Dance Hero

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm MDT

Small Gym

You don’t have to be a dancer to rock dance in PE—just bring energy and a willingness to try! In this session, a PE teacher with limited dance skills shares simple, confidence-building strategies for introducing dance through accessible movement and creative exploration. See how student voice and choice come to life through group choreography and explore practical examples of using AI to support lesson planning, creativity, and engagement.

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm MDT
Small Gym

about <br>

1:00pm MDT

How To Host A Bike Rodeo

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm MDT

Outside

We will talk about bike safety, how I get kids riding in 3rd-5th grade and how to put on a bike rodeo at your school. Benefits of biking, safety - helmet, road safety...

Speakers

Susan Atkinson

Morning Star Elementary

I am a K–5 Health Enhancement teacher at Morning Star Elementary School in Bozeman with 32 years of teaching experience and 30 years of coaching. Throughout my career, I have taught students from kindergarten through 12th grade and even taught a college course. I am passionate about... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm MDT
Outside

1:00pm MDT

YOGA in Secondary Phys Ed

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm MDT

Big Gym

"YogaInPhysEd" for secondary PE: See how yoga aligns with SHAPE America Standards. Participants will gain the knowledge and confidence to teach yoga in a physical education setting to middle and high school students. Assessment ideas will be shared as well as beneficial classroom management strategies. No yoga experience is required.

Speakers

Kristen Santos

PE Teacher: Massachusetts TOY '24

I have been teaching physical education in Massachusetts since 1998. I am also an E-200 RYT. Recently, I have united my two professional worlds by presenting around the country on how to implement yoga into the PE Curriculum. You don't need to be an expert to teach yoga in the... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm MDT
Big Gym

1:00pm MDT

National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Certification

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Off Site

Get NASP certified. Please sign up using this link: https://naspbai.org/ClassSearch.aspx?country=US&state=MT

Speakers

Ryan Schmaltz

Montana NASP Coordinator, MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Off Site

2:00pm MDT

Building the Athlete From the Inside Out

Monday August 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm MDT

Small Gym

For coaches, PE teachers, and youth leaders committed to developing the whole athlete -not just performance, but resilience, focus, recovery, and leadership. Learn how brain function, nervous system regulation, breath, and movement directly impact response time, decision-making, choice, emotional balance, confidence, and athletic performance. Explore the science behind brain chemistry and peak performance, including dopamine for motivation and drive, serotonin for well-being and composure, adrenaline for quick response under pressure, and acetylcholine for learning, coordination, and muscle memory. Equip your athletes with tools that strengthen the brain–body connection to support success in sports, school, and life.

Speakers

Stacy Hemingway

Founder and curriculum creator of Conscious Classroom. Our unique approach leverages the power of the mind-body connection through a curriculum designed to empower educators and students. We teach the art and science of self-regulation. I am a trainer offering Yoga Teacher Trainings... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm MDT
Small Gym

2:00pm MDT

From Chaos to Calm: Turning Conflict into Your Greatest Teaching Tool to Build Self-Regulation

Monday August 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm MDT

Big Gym

Teaching is harder than ever, and educator burnout is on the rise. At the same time, many students lack essential soft skills—communication, resilience, empathy, and problem-solving—needed for success in school and life. Increased trauma, challenging behaviors, and a culture shaped by screen time and isolation are intensifying demands on teachers, often without adequate support.
But what if we shifted our thinking? What if we could reconnect with our purpose, rediscover our spark, and strengthen our classroom culture?
This session explores how to intentionally build strong classroom communities by embedding social-emotional skill development into daily practice—starting at the elementary level. Educators will learn to lean into conflict and student dysregulation as powerful teaching opportunities. Practical frameworks such as Zones of Regulation and Kelso’s Choices, along with reflective questioning strategies, will support self-awareness, regulation, and problem-solving.
Participants will leave with ready-to-use strategies to support students while reducing burnout.

Speakers

Meaghan Schrader

Monday August 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm MDT
Big Gym

about <br>

2:00pm MDT

Let’s Talk About It: Teaching Sex Ed with Confidence and Care

Monday August 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm MDT

Classroom 1

Educators play a critical role in shaping how young people understand their bodies, relationships, and health.

This session provides a practical, foundational guide to teaching sex education for middle and high school students. Participants will learn how to approach reproductive health education through a medically accurate, trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, values-neutral, and evidence-based lens.

We’ll cover key content areas including anatomy, puberty, reproduction, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and birth control, along with strategies for creating a safe and respectful classroom environment. Special emphasis will be placed on one of the most challenging aspects of sex ed: responding to student questions with confidence, clarity, and professionalism.

Participants will leave with concrete tools, language strategies, and increased confidence to deliver sex education that is informative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of today’s youth.

Speakers

McKeely Shannon

McKeely is a dedicated and experienced health educator with a strong background in evidence-based sexual and reproductive health programming, youth leadership development, and community engagement. Currently serving as Lead Education Specialist at Bridgercare, with expertise in curriculum... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm MDT
Classroom 1

4:00pm MDT

TRY RUGBY

Monday August 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:55pm MDT

Big Gym

Coming

Speakers

Montana Institute of Sport

Monday August 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:55pm MDT
Big Gym

5:30pm MDT

Members Celebration Dinner - Keynote Will Potter

Monday August 3, 2026 5:30pm - 7:30pm MDT

Double Tree Hotel in Billings

Doors will open at 5:15pm
Cash Bar
Dinner will be served between 5:30pm and 5:45pm

Awards at 6:15pm

Key Note Address starts at 6:30pm
Phys-Ed Film School - Join National Elementary Teacher of the Year William Potter as he shares his wisdom and passion for teaching and movies.

Description Coming

Speakers

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5:30pm MDT

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