Episode 148: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Intro

Sean is joined by our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Podcast group to introduce the upcoming podcast and hear about their whys. Meet the team:

Kennedra Tucker is a K-12 Health & Physical Education specialist. A 14-year Maryland educator, Kennedra has been recognized as a 2017 Nationally Board Certified Teacher, the 2018 SHAPE Maryland Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year (TOY), and a SHAPE Maryland Past President. She is currently a member of the SHAPE EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Committee and is presently pursuing an EdD from the University of Maryland, College Park in School System Leadership. 

Dr. Patricia Morgan is an innovative and passionate educator and leader with a heart for equity, access, inclusion, and social justice. She is an experienced coordinator of Science, Health, and Physical Education programs. In addition to her work in the K-12 sector, she works in higher education as an adjunct professor. In her spare time, she studies and presents on Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and STEM at local, national, and international conferences. 

Dr. Cara Grant is a supervisor for PreK-12 health and physical education supervisor in the 14th largest school district in the United States. She also supports the University of Maryland College Park Masters Degree with a teaching certificate in Physical Education. Her work infuses and prioritizes equity, diversity, and inclusion so all students are included and welcomed in curriculum, instruction, and teaching practices.

Dr. Mara Simon is an assistant professor in the department of physical education and health education at Springfield College. Her research interests include culturally relevant pedagogy in PE and addressing racial inequity and whiteness in PE teacher education.

John Strong is an Associate Professor within the HPE Department at Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, NY.  He is also the Chief Diversity and Equity Officer at NCCC, and enjoys using his capacity as CDEO to inform his interactions within SHAPE America’s EDI Committee.

Sue Scheppele is a Doctoral Physical Education Fellow at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts.  She taught PreK - 8th Grade Physical Education for seven years and was a lead PE teacher in the Houston Independent School District.  In addition, she was a high school Health and Physical Education teacher for three years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Sue is a certified DEI trainer for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and received the Walter Kase Award for teacher excellence in 2017.

Sean Nevills is a lifetime member of SHAPE America and current host for the podcast. As a former project director for SHAPE, Sean led the CDC funded COVID-19 initiatives for the 2020-21 school year. Prior to SHAPE, Sean served as Director of Health and Physical Education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. He is a licensed K-12 physical educator having taught adapted PE, high school PE, and virtual classes throughout his teaching career. Sean’s work in education includes curriculum development, employee and community wellness, and educational equity. Sean has nearly 15 years of football coaching experience from the youth level through college and several years coaching track and field. He is an active member of Missouri SHAPE and serves as chair of MOSHAPE’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee.