Shirley Ann Holt/Hale is an elementary physical education teacher at Linden Elementary School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a position she has held for more than 30 years. She is the immediate past-president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the first elementary physical education teacher ever elected to the highest office of the Alliance. She is a Past-President of NASPE, a member of the NASPE Hall of Fame, and a charter member of the North American Society for Health and Physical Education Professionals. She has previously been recognized as the National Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. She served on the Task Force for the… development of the National Standards for Physical Education (NASPE), and served as chairperson for the development of the National Teaching Standards for Physical Education (NBPTS). Dr. Holt/Hale has authored eight books, has written numerous articles, and has made over 150 invited presentations throughout the U.S. In addition to her daily teaching of elementary physical education, she serves as a consultant in curriculum development, assessment, and teaching by themes. Holt/Hale has an undergraduate degree from Berea College and a Ph.D. from Peabody/Vanderbilt University.
Melissa Parker is a professor in the School of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Northern Colorado. Her areas of interest are elementary physical education and teacher education. Prior to entering higher education, Parker was an elementary physical education teacher in middle school physical education in a special program for underserved youth. Regardless of the level of teaching involved, she has the consistent desire to see students become self-directed, responsible learners. Parker received her PhD and MA from The Ohio State University. Her undergraduate degree was from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, from which she recently received the School of Health and… Human Performance Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Parker has been active in a variety of capacities at the state, regional, and national levels of AAHPERD. She has received Honor Awards at the state and national levels for her service and dedication to students..