American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Keynote Speakers and Presenters

We have a great programs set up for you this year. Set Sail for Boston and learn from these amazing speakers and presenters.

Kenneth Cooper

Founder and Chairman of Cooper Aerobics Center

R. Tait McKenzie Memorial Lecture: The Texas Youth Evaluation Project  see details 

Founder and Chairman of Cooper Aerobics Center, Dr. Cooper published his first bestseller, Aerobics, in 1968, introducing a new word and a new concept—launching a worldwide fitness revolution. Celebrating Cooper Aerobics Center's 40th anniversary in 2010, Dr. Cooper is recognized as the leader of the international physical fitness movement and credited with motivating more people to exercise in pursuit of good health than any other person.

Mark Fenton

National Public Health, Planning, and Transportation Consultant

AAPAR Keynote: Lessons Recalled on a Very Long Walk  see details

A national public health, planning, and transportation consultant; member of the U.S. national racewalking team; former host of the "America's Walking" series on PBS; and an adjunct associate professor at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. He's author of several books and published widely in exercise science, physical activity promotion, and community health interventions.

Jim Loehr

Psychologist and Co-Founder of the Human Performance Institute

AAHPERD Opening General Session: Using Movement to Build Multi-Dimensional Strength  see details

A world-renowned performance psychologist, Co-Founder of the Human Performance Institute, and author of 15 books including his most recent, The Power of Story. Dr. Loehr's ground-breaking, science-based energy management training system has achieved world-wide recognition and has been chronicled in leading national publications including the Harvard Business Review, Business Week, Fortune, and Newsweek. He has appeared on NBC's Today Show, ABC's Nightline with Ted Koppel, The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather and the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Teena Murray

Director of Sports Performance, University of Louisville

NAGWS Honorary Speaker, Guiding Woman in Sport Luncheon  see details

NAGWS is pleased to announce the 2012 recipient of the Guiding Woman in Sport Award, Teena Murray. Murray is the Director of Sports Performance at the University of Louisville and also serves as a trainer for the Women's U.S. Ice Hockey Team. The Guiding Woman in Sport Award was established in 1987 and is given in recognition of extraordinary service and leadership in female sports. The mark of this award is the lifetime contribution made by the individual. This award is presented in recognition of a pioneering spirit and commitment to improve sport for girls and women. The Guiding Woman in Sport Award is presented annually at the NAGWS Guiding Woman in Sport Luncheon held at the AAHPERD national convention. The award recipient is also the honorary speaker at the luncheon.

Shellie Pfohl

Executive Director, President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN)

NASPE General Session Keynote: PCFSN's New Media Campaign on Physical Education  see details

Shellie Pfohl was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the Executive Director of the President's Council; an advisory committee of appointed volunteers whose focus is to educate, engage, and empower Americans to live a more active, healthy lifestyle. Pfohl is responsible for working with members to develop the vision, strategy, and goals of the Council and directing the organization's daily operations. In addition, Ms. Pfohl leads the Council's efforts to support First Lady Michelle Obama's national Let's Move! initiative.

Dianne Walker

Tap Dance Choreographer, Performer, Teacher, Director and Mentor

NDA Heritage Banquet and Master Tap Class with Dianne Walker - Lady Di  Heritage Banquet, master tap class

The 2012 Heritage Award Honoree is Tap Dance Icon, Dianne Walker. Ms. Walker has been praised as the "Ella Fitzgerald of Tap Dance" in a 30-year career of lighting up Broadway, television, the movies, and the international stage. Ms. Walker's talents are exemplary as a choreographer, performer, teacher, director and mentor. She has earned numerous awards and was a leader in the Dance USA Task Force on Dance Education.  More about Dianne Walker >>

Mary Verdi-Fletcher

Dancing Wheels Company

Dancing Wheels Master Class: New Approaches to Physically-Integrated Dance Training  see details

Dancing Wheels Company artist Mary Verdi-Fletcher, joined by Mark T. Tomasic, will teach "New Approaches to Physically-Integrated Dance Training." Mary Verdi-Fletcher, the first professional wheelchair dancer in the U.S., founded the Dancing Wheels Company in Cleveland in 1980. Born with spina bifida, Mary wanted to offer others with disabilities full and equal access into the world of dance. Mark Tomasic, is a former Dancing Wheels Company member and now contributing artistic consultant.  More about Mary Verdi-Fletcher and Mark Tomasic >>