If behaviours are so important in PE, why is their role so unclear? Hi Reader, With many of you preparing to return to school, this felt like a good moment to reconnect. I have been quieter since November. During that time, and through the winter break, I intentionally stepped back to reflect on the projects I was involved in and the professional learning spaces I have been building for PE teachers. That pause helped me recalibrate and become clearer on where my energy and focus are best...
21 days ago • 4 min read
Why Subjectivity in PE Assessment Is Actually a Good Thing Hi Reader, What if I told you that being “subjective” in PE assessment isn’t a problem—but actually part of what makes it effective? Many PE teachers worry that assessment and grading are perceived as too subjective. They feel pressure to make decisions that appear objective, even though teaching rarely works that way. This concern is understandable—it reflects a desire for fairness and credibility. Subjectivity is not the problem,...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Want Assessment to Fuel Motivation? Do This Hi Reader, It is common in PE to see motivation and assessment as separate parts of class, but what if they actually fuel each other? What if the hopes we have for students, to participate, have fun, grow, and build confidence, are more connected than we think? But first.... Ever wonder why games like Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, or Angry Birds are so addictive? It’s not the graphics, characters, or storylines. These games are often simple, yet they...
4 months ago • 2 min read
3 Ways Assessment Can Fuel Motivation in PE Hi Reader, Many think of assessment and motivation in PE as loosely connected or not connected at all. One feels like grading, the other feels like getting kids moving. In reality, assessment plays a central role in motivating students, shaping how they see themselves as movers and learners. Assessment in PE is more than recording scores or assigning grades. And motivation is more than getting kids to engage. It is about creating the conditions...
4 months ago • 2 min read
When I Stopped Doing This, Student Motivation Skyrocketed in My PE Classes Hi Reader, I hope your school year has begun smoothly. As the new school year begins, student motivation is on every PE teacher’s mind. Helping students engage meaningfully can make all the difference. Here is a lesson I learned about student motivation that has transformed how I teach, how students engage, and their motivation in PE. For years, I thought motivating students in PE was simple. Set clear expectations,...
5 months ago • 3 min read
From Testing to Meaning: Rethinking How Fitness Is Assessed As fitness testing makes a comeback, it’s time to move beyond scores and norms and focus on growth, personal bests, and student-centered assessment. Hi Reader, As you might be aware, on July 31, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools across the United States. The announcement has stirred strong reactions from politicians, celebrities, academics, teachers, and...
5 months ago • 4 min read
"I didn't know another way, until now." "I used to stand by my approaches, but deep down, they did not really make sense to me." This reflection came from a PE teacher in a recent graduate course I taught on quality assessment in PE. It captures a feeling many teachers quietly wrestle with, wondering if there might be a better way to assess and support student learning. As a new school year approaches, you might find yourself quietly wondering: “What do I want to do differently this year?”...
6 months ago • 3 min read