The 2016 GAHPERD Convention was held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, One International Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31402-0248
November 6-8, 2016! 

2016 GAHPERD Convention Invited Guest Speakers!

Jessica Shawley - Physical Education
Jessica Shawley is a physical education and health teacher that was the 2012 SHAPE America National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. She comes to us an Educational Consultant sponsored by GopherSport. Jessica is National Board (NBPTS) certified along with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Idaho. She is known for her high-energy workshops that are rich in resources that help support and inspire professionals. Jessica currently serves on the Northwest District SHAPE Leadership Council and served on the SHAPE Idaho board for over 8 years in roles as President, Conference Manager, and District Representative. Her grant writing skills have helped secure over $1 million in funding, including a PEP Grant. Her leadership role in her district includes fostering a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program through initiatives such as Fuel Up to Play 60 and Let’s Move Active Schools. Jessica has also coached high school athletics and was a collegiate athlete.  You can find her on Twitter via @JessicaShawley or at www.PEchamps.com

Paul Moore - Health
Paul is currently a faculty member in the College of Health Sciences Department of Nutrition and Healthcare Management at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.  Prior to this he worked for 14 years in a medical wellness facility as the Assistant Director, but also working as the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for programs and services that included: weight managements, sports nutrition, diabetes, heart disease and oncology.  Paul holds certification as a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration in addition to being certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT).  Paul was honored to be the recipient of the 2015 Excellence in Weight Management Practice award given by the WM DPG. He was also recognized in 2014 by Today’s Dietitian Magazine as one of the Top 10 RDs making a difference in the lives of his clients and community.  The NCDA recognized Paul with the 2011-2012 Outstanding Dietitian of Year award, the highest award given by the organization, and the 2012-2013 Young Dietitian of the Year. 
 

Susan Flynn - General
Susan teaches at the College of Charleston, training students in PreK-5 teacher education. Flynn specializes in the areas of adapted physical education, rhythms and dance in the PE curriculum, and elementary methods. Prior to CofC, she trained future physical education teachers for twelve years at Purdue University, IN.  She also taught in the public schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Toledo, Ohio and Charleston, SC.  In addition, Flynn is the founder and director of FitCatZ Aquatic and Motor Therapy Program for children with disabilities.  Flynn will share her Move2Learn lessons integrating ELA, Math and Movement, Dance for Physical Education and her philosophy of leading by example and do so with enthusiasm, passion, acceptance, and a strong belief in the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. 

Scott Williams - Dance
Scott Williams graduated from Fairmont State University in West Virginia in 2001 with a BA in Physical Education (K-12) and Health Education (5-12).  He received his MS in Athletic Coaching from West Virginia University in 2003.  He has been teaching elementary physical education at Meriwether Lewis School in Charlottesville, VA since 2004 and taught high school physical education in summer school in Albemarle County from 2005-2009. Scott was a winner of the 2011 Golden Apple Award at his school, the 2013 Virginia AHPERD Elementary PE Teacher of the Year, and the 2015-16 Virginia AHPERD and SHAPE Southern District Dance Teacher of the year.  He is also a featured presenter and speaker at physical education conferences across the nation and has presented in twenty states.  Scott is the founder/owner of Camp4Real, a summer camp that focuses on fun physical activity, character building and eating healthy foods free of artificial ingredients. 

John L. Smith - Pre Convention & More!
John is a nationally recognized presenter for physical education and the Educational Consultant for FlagHouse Inc. in New Jersey. John taught 40 years in the public schools of New Jersey (Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus) before retiring to work with FlagHouse as an educational consultant. He has presented workshops and conferences in 35 states and at 10 National Physical Education Conventions for the AAHPERD. John has a M. A. degree in physical education from Montclair State University where he was an All-American soccer player and member of the championship basketball team.
 John was the 1989 NASPE National Physical Education Teacher of the Year, the 2005 National High School Basketball Coach of the Year and the 2012 New Jersey AHPERD Honor Award Recipient.
 

Carly Wright - Senior Manager of Advocacy, SHAPE America
Carly Wright is the Senior Manager of Advocacy for SHAPE America - the Society of Health and Physical Educators. Carly works on federal, state, and local initiatives related to improving, implementing, and assessing school health education and physical education programs and policies in schools. She also represents SHAPE America before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and participates in national coalitions which work to elevate and promote health and physical education policies across the country.  Carly has led a number of webinars, presentations, and trainings across the United States on advocating for health, physical education and the health of our nation’s children. She has been employed by SHAPE America for nine years and has a B.A. in Communications from George Mason University.