Fit Connection Mon, 22 Jun 2026 03:00:02 -0400 https://fitconnection.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Fit Connection yes 1298b66d-d16b-5bb7-8a0d-07580c2a71a4 Stevie Ray Gray episodic false Fit Connection is a podcast and video series that aims to build community among Health and PE educators by highlighting amazing teachers and administrators and sharing opportunities for growth and professional development. The show is hosted by Stevie Ray Gray, who teaches at Short Pump Elementary School in Henrico County, and whose infectious curiosity puts his guests at ease. The podcast is produced by Blue Ridge PBS in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Stevie Ray Gray https://storage.buzzsprout.com/4f0awu0p9m2th86juvtatz1ltg1g?.jpg Fit Connection Episode 110: Surf's Up! Creating Fitness Opportunities for Your Students - Fit Connection Podcast Episode 110: Surf's Up! Creating Fitness Opportunities for Your Students - Fit Connection Podcast Rich Ingram teaches at Cox High School in Virginia Beach, and one day while surfing he looked over to see one of his students in the "line up" waiting for a wave. That chance meeting resulted in a school sponsored surf club that's expanding to other schools in the region. 

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/C7iIa2a_YIc

]]> Rich Ingram teaches at Cox High School in Virginia Beach, and one day while surfing he looked over to see one of his students in the "line up" waiting for a wave. That chance meeting resulted in a school sponsored surf club that's expanding to other schools in the region. 

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/C7iIa2a_YIc

]]> Stevie Ray Gray Buzzsprout-19349635 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1619 full false Episode 109: App-y Hour in the Gym Episode 109: App-y Hour in the Gym Like all academic subjects, Health and PE teachers increasingly rely on technology in the classroom. Former teacher and current administrator Jason Runk joins Stevie Ray Gray to share his favorite applications and tech for staying organized and managing the classroom in this wide-ranging conversation.

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/OUg4N25SX_E

]]> Like all academic subjects, Health and PE teachers increasingly rely on technology in the classroom. Former teacher and current administrator Jason Runk joins Stevie Ray Gray to share his favorite applications and tech for staying organized and managing the classroom in this wide-ranging conversation.

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/OUg4N25SX_E

]]> Stevie Ray Gray Buzzsprout-19349603 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 1614 full false Episode 108: Inside HPAI: The Health and Physical Activity Institute Episode 108: Inside HPAI: The Health and Physical Activity Institute The Health and Physical Activity Institute is an amazing opportunity for teachers, administrators, teachers aides and paraprofessionals to gain valuable tips and training on best practices in Health and Physical Education. Learn more about this annual summer workshop held at James Madison University by listening to this conversation between host Stevie Ray Gray and Dani Almarode, HPE Specialist with the VDOE.

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/BY4I4QdeH80

]]> The Health and Physical Activity Institute is an amazing opportunity for teachers, administrators, teachers aides and paraprofessionals to gain valuable tips and training on best practices in Health and Physical Education. Learn more about this annual summer workshop held at James Madison University by listening to this conversation between host Stevie Ray Gray and Dani Almarode, HPE Specialist with the VDOE.

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/BY4I4QdeH80

]]> Stevie Ray Gray Buzzsprout-19282222 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1495 full false Episode 107: From the Principal's Chair - Why Health and PE Fuel Learning Episode 107: From the Principal's Chair - Why Health and PE Fuel Learning Guest Robbie Bolden shares how scheduling, staffing, and culture moves protect HPE time.


Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/o9ZDNTS1n0c



]]> Guest Robbie Bolden shares how scheduling, staffing, and culture moves protect HPE time.


Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/o9ZDNTS1n0c



]]> Stevie Ray Gray Buzzsprout-19242682 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1908 full false Episode 106: Getting the most from APHERD and Professional Development Opportunities Episode 106: Getting the most from APHERD and Professional Development Opportunities Fit Connection host Stevie Ray Gray sat down with Jessica Bayliss, the current president of the Virginia chapter of the Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. This lively chat focuses on how HPE teachers can get the most from the association and best practices in professional development in a subject area that sometimes feels neglected. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8hPJ0AXcmEQ 

]]> Fit Connection host Stevie Ray Gray sat down with Jessica Bayliss, the current president of the Virginia chapter of the Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. This lively chat focuses on how HPE teachers can get the most from the association and best practices in professional development in a subject area that sometimes feels neglected. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8hPJ0AXcmEQ 

]]> Stevie Ray Gray Buzzsprout-18970921 Mon, 25 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1346 1 6 full false Episode 105: New Ideas for Creating Community in Health Classes Episode 105: New Ideas for Creating Community in Health Classes Michelle Shoffstall shares her experiences in making her Health classroom a place of vibrant discussion at Princess Anne Middle School In Virginia Beach with host Stevie Ray Gray. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hfCl5xWG2EU 

]]> Michelle Shoffstall shares her experiences in making her Health classroom a place of vibrant discussion at Princess Anne Middle School In Virginia Beach with host Stevie Ray Gray. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hfCl5xWG2EU 

]]> Tom Landon Buzzsprout-18970889 Mon, 18 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1562 full false Episode 104: Let’s Go to the Park! Episode 104: Let’s Go to the Park! Join Fit Connection Host Stevie Ray Gray as he talks to two teachers from Virginia Beach whose students benefit from a unique partnership with their local Parks and Recreation facilities. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZAAEPNfLcAs 

]]> Join Fit Connection Host Stevie Ray Gray as he talks to two teachers from Virginia Beach whose students benefit from a unique partnership with their local Parks and Recreation facilities. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZAAEPNfLcAs 

]]> Buzzsprout-18970878 Mon, 11 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1593 full false Episode 103: Meet the Finalists for Virginia’s Health and PE Teachers of the Year Episode 103: Meet the Finalists for Virginia’s Health and PE Teachers of the Year Stevie Ray Gray sits down with Virginia's Health and PE Educators of the year. This year's finalists are: Phil Isberner,an itinerant PE teacher for Fairfax County; Kelly Sutphin, an Elementary PE teacher in Montgomery County; Kat Foster, High School Health Teacher in Virginia Beach, and Danielle Matheny, HIgh School PE teacher in Rockingham County. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EhcLU2bfl_A 

]]> Stevie Ray Gray sits down with Virginia's Health and PE Educators of the year. This year's finalists are: Phil Isberner,an itinerant PE teacher for Fairfax County; Kelly Sutphin, an Elementary PE teacher in Montgomery County; Kat Foster, High School Health Teacher in Virginia Beach, and Danielle Matheny, HIgh School PE teacher in Rockingham County. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EhcLU2bfl_A 

]]> Tom Landon Buzzsprout-18970743 Mon, 04 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1494 full false Episode 102: Adaptive PE: Why it Matters! Episode 102: Adaptive PE: Why it Matters! Do you struggle with creating meaningful lessons that allow ALL of your students to participate? In this episode of Fit Connection Stevie Ray Gray sits down with Tom Moran and Adam Forbes, two professors and practitioners who focus on bringing Adaptive PE principles to the classroom. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sM9Ql2QAEYc 

]]> Do you struggle with creating meaningful lessons that allow ALL of your students to participate? In this episode of Fit Connection Stevie Ray Gray sits down with Tom Moran and Adam Forbes, two professors and practitioners who focus on bringing Adaptive PE principles to the classroom. 


Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sM9Ql2QAEYc 

]]> Tom Landon Buzzsprout-18970724 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1772 full false Episode 101: What do PE Administrators Do? Episode 101: What do PE Administrators Do? PE Teachers may sometimes wonder what goes on at the administrative level in their school division. Host Stevie Ray Gray sat down with Lei Dunn of Virginia Beach Schools and Mark Branbenberger of Henrico County Public Schools to learn exactly what they do to promote Health, PE and Driver Education in their divisions. 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UTcH27n5ftI 

]]> PE Teachers may sometimes wonder what goes on at the administrative level in their school division. Host Stevie Ray Gray sat down with Lei Dunn of Virginia Beach Schools and Mark Branbenberger of Henrico County Public Schools to learn exactly what they do to promote Health, PE and Driver Education in their divisions. 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UTcH27n5ftI 

]]> Buzzsprout-18970596 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 2254 1 1 full false