Mike Chamberlain

Mike is the Physical Education Teacher at Diamond Path Elementary, in Apple Valley, Minnesota, and was the MNSPAPE Elementary PE Teacher of the Year for 2024. He previously spent 11 years teaching elementary P.E. in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mike graduated from Saint Cloud State University with K-12 P.E., as well as, from the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a Master’s in Educational Leadership. He also holds the role of Elementary P.E. Coordinator for ISD 196 – Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan. Mike and his wife, Erin, have four kids; Linnea (10), Lachlan (8), Thorin (5), and Milo (3). They live in Apple Valley, MN.

Presentation: Strikingly Good Teaching: Our Best Ways to Plan, Adapt, and Assess Elementary Striking Skills and Games with Justin Lund and Mike Chamberlain.

Presentation: Level Up! Using Gamification to Enhance Student Learning, Skill Development and Engagement

Gamification has the potential to transform physical education from task-based participation into a meaningful, motivating learning experience. This session explores how intentional game elements—such as levels, challenges, choice, feedback, and progress tracking—can be embedded into physical education to enhance student learning, skill development, and engagement. Participants will examine practical examples of gamified PE lessons aligned with SHAPE America standards and the Meaningful PE framework, while reflecting on how gamification supports motivation, autonomy, and skill progression without sacrificing instructional rigor. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use strategies and design principles to implement gamification in their own PE programs to create inclusive, engaging, and purposeful learning environments.

Mike Messerole

Michael J. Messerole, Ph.D., is Assistant Director and Professor in the School of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he leads the physical education teacher preparation and activity programs and mentors future physical educators in adapted physical education and inclusive pedagogy. He has taught adapted physical education theory and practice for more than three decades and co-authored the Special Olympics Unified Physical Education Resource, widely used to support inclusive PE programs in schools across the country. His commitment to inclusion extends beyond the classroom through his co-leadership of Camp Abilities Nebraska, Nebraska Teen Recreation for the Blind, the Wragge Adaptive Swim Lesson Program, and his service on the boards of Special Olympics Nebraska, Omaha Paralympic Sports Club and Inclusive Spaces. In addition, he has been a Special Olympics swim coach for 25 years. A frequent presenter at SHAPE America national and regional conferences on unified and adapted physical education, Messerole’s work has been recognized with the UNO Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award and the Dr. Robert Ackerman Professor of Community Engagement Professorship.

Presentation: Structuring Physical Education: Creating an Environment that Gives Neurodivergent Students a Chance to Succeed

Physical education can be one of the toughest, and most misunderstood, spaces for neurodivergent students. Bright lights, loud echoes, constant movement, unexpected touch, shifting rules, and social pressure make it a perfect storm of sensory and emotional overload. In this session, we’ll unpack what’s really happening for these students in PE, challenge a few common assumptions, and explore practical, high-impact strategies that help them feel safe, regulated, and confident. You’ll leave with concrete tools to make PE more accessible, so every student has a real chance to participate, grow, and succeed.

Brock McMullen

I am an associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. I hold doctoral and master’s degrees in Adapted Physical Education and General Physical Education from the University of Utah. I taught for 5 years in general and adapted physical education in Salt Lake City, UT. I currently direct the undergraduate Physical, Adapted, and School Health Education program, the Graduate Adapted Physical Education Program, and Center on Disability Health and Adapted Physical Activity which offers various physical activity opportunities to those with disabilities in the greater La Crosse community.

Presentation: Features of the UW-La Crosse Adapted Physical Education Graduate Program and Preparing Students for the Field of APE

The preparation of PK–12 adapted physical education (APE) teachers and related service professionals remains a national priority as shortages persist across states. In response, scholars and funding agencies have emphasized the need for innovative personnel preparation models that strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and deepen partnerships between university programs and PK–12 schools. At the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (UWL), these priorities are reflected in how we prepare APE professionals. This presentation will highlight key features of the UWL APE graduate program, including the coursework, clinical experiences, collaborative seminars, and the school district–university partnerships that inform program quality.

Presentation: Creating Appropriate Standards-based IEP Goals for Students in Adapted Physical Education

Developing meaningful, standards‑based IEP goals is essential for ensuring that students with disabilities make progress in physical education. This session will guide educators through a process for aligning students’ Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statements with measurable, standards‑based goals. Participants will examine practical examples, learn how to connect state or national PE standards to individualized needs, and explore strategies for writing goals that are observable, attainable, and instructionally relevant.

Vinne Pokornowski

Vinne Pokornowski is an Adapted PE teacher with 17 years of experience supporting students with diverse needs. He currently resides in Minnesota, but has previously worked in Denver, Colorado.

Presentation: Let’s Play APE Feud! – A Game-show Style Session for Adapted PE Teachers

Ready to put your Adapted PE knowledge to the test in a high-energy, interactive session? Join us for “Let’s Play APE Feud!”. This session will challenge your expertise, spark laughter (and questioning), and encourage collaboration as teams compete to answer survey-style questions based on best practice, teaching strategies, IEPs and Evals, behavior management, equipment, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned vet or new to the field, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, renewed energy, and maybe even 100 Grand!

Jeff Mushkin

Jeff Mushkin is the Curriculum and Delivery Lead for SPARK PE, where he leads the creation of innovative, standards-based physical education for physical education and health teachers. With over 25 years of experience in physical education and curriculum development, Jeff brings a passion for helping teachers implement best practices that make PE active, inclusive, and fun. He collaborates with educators nationwide to ensure SPARK programs reflect current research and meet the diverse needs of schools and communities. Jeff has been with SPARK for 20 years and works to support SPARK’s mission to improve the health of children through effective physical education and physical activity programs.

Presentation: Creating an Inclusive Environment in Physical Education
Inclusive physical education ensures that all students—regardless of ability, disability, skill level, gender, culture, or background—have meaningful opportunities to participate, learn, and succeed. The goal of inclusive PE is to intentionally design and deliver instruction that fosters a positive, supportive learning environment where every student feels valued, capable, and included.

In this session, we will explore practical strategies and resources to better understand diverse student needs and abilities. We will discuss how to modify instruction, lessons, and equipment to support individual success while effectively managing classes with a wide range of skill levels. Common challenges associated with inclusive settings will be addressed through real world examples and actionable solutions.

Discover new and creative ideas you can bring back to your program that encourage participation, build confidence, and help all students develop a positive, lifelong relationship with physical activity.

Scott Douglas, Ph.D., CAPE, PLY

Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Scott is a three‑time Paralympian and bronze medalist in wheelchair tennis at the 2000 Sydney Games. A world‑class multi‑sport athlete, he was a four‑time member of the U.S. Men’s World Cup Tennis Team, a two‑time NWBA national basketball champion, and a 2011 Intercollegiate All‑American. His leadership in Paralympic sport led to his appointment as Assistant Chef de Mission for Team USA at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. Dr. Douglas previously served as Director of Athletics at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site in Homewood, Alabama, where he played a key role in developing an internationally recognized adaptive sport program. He is also a certified tennis teaching professional with coaching experience across multiple youth and adult sports.
A Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics at the University of Northern Colorado, he coordinates the university’s undergraduate minor and graduate program in Sport Coaching. His research focuses on coaching expertise, coach development, coach education, and perceptions of disability.
Known to students as “Dr. D,” he remains active as a volunteer tennis coach, outdoor enthusiast, and proud grandfather.