Our Story
As a group of young educators in the pursuit of best practice, most of the members of the 5STARPE team first met in rural Iowa in 2009. As graduate students at the University of Northern Iowa studying the effective utilization of technology in physical education, a passion for high quality physical education was fostered between us all. Over the years, our love for physical education and desire to connect to others who felt the same way has allowed us to build relationships with other leaders in our field. In doing so, we have been able to expand our team and bring on new members who share the same beliefs. The passion our team exudes has led us to uniting as one organization to help blend theory with practical application as we each work towards utilizing best practice within physical education.
Since our inception, our mission, to have a health enhancing impact across the country on future generations, has been quickly gaining momentum in our respective communities. Our post graduate endeavors have spread us around the country and represent the entirety of the American education system. Collectively, with over 65 years of teaching experience across all school levels (elementary school, middle school, high school and college), the 5STARPE team has a skill set unlike any other physical education organization. Our expertise in technology implementation, curriculum writing/alignment and effective standards-based professional development can help move your physical education program forward to the benefit of its students and teachers.
Since our inception, our mission, to have a health enhancing impact across the country on future generations, has been quickly gaining momentum in our respective communities. Our post graduate endeavors have spread us around the country and represent the entirety of the American education system. Collectively, with over 65 years of teaching experience across all school levels (elementary school, middle school, high school and college), the 5STARPE team has a skill set unlike any other physical education organization. Our expertise in technology implementation, curriculum writing/alignment and effective standards-based professional development can help move your physical education program forward to the benefit of its students and teachers.
MEET THE TEAM!
CHRIS MEKELBURG, ED.D
DR.MEK@5STARPE.COM (@5STARPHYSED) MEMBER Chris Mekelburg has been teaching elementary physical education at Covert Elementary School in Rockville Centre, NY for the past 9 years. He successfully wrote and won a $1.4M Federal Carol M. White PEP Grant that has helped to transform the state of physical education in the Rockville Centre schools.
With a focus on technology, objective data collection and student learning objectives (SLOs) are within PE teachers reach. Chris has presented at every level of SHAPE America in seven states. His expertise is in elementary curriculum development and instruction as well as researched designed lessons focusing on the production of student data. B.S. SUNY Cortland - Physical Education M.A. University of Northern Iowa - Physical Education Technology Ed. D. Concordia University Chicago - Educational Leadership Curriculum & Instruction |
TONY LOOMIS
2014 SHAPE AMERICA NATIONAL H.S. TEACHER OF THE YEAR TLOOMIS@5STARPE.COM (@TLOOM) MEMBER Tony Loomis is currently the Health and Wellness Administrator for Wallingford Public Schools in Wallingford, CT. Prior to being in his current position, Tony taught high school physical education, at Naugatuck High School for 12 years. In 2014, Tony was recognized by SHAPE America to be the National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Tony has presented for SHAPE America over 50 times, at every level and has the opportunity to act as the Keynote speaker on numerous occasions. His impact on the physical education landscape is unmatched.
B.A. Springfield College - Physical Education M.A. University of Northern Iowa - Physical Education Technology Post-Graduate Administrative Leadership Studies |
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ROSS CHAKRIAN
MR.C@5STARPE.COM (@MR_C_PE) MEMBER |
DOUG HALLBERG
2017 SHAPE AMERICA NATIONAL M.S. TEACHER OF THE YEAR DJHBERG@5STARPE.COM (@djhberg) MEMBER |
DAN GAWRISCH
DGAWRISCH@5STARPE.COM (@COACHDPG) MEMBER |
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Ross Chakrian has been teaching elementary physical education in Ellicott City, MD for the past 9 years. Ross helped transform the state of the physical education at Waverly Elementary School by successfully winning various local and national grants to bring a variety of technology into the program. He also successfully advocated on behalf of his students to get a new gymnasium built to address the increasing enrollment numbers his school is experiencing. Ross is also very active on Twitter (@Mr_C_PE) as he works to spread the love for quality physical education and was recently asked to join the prestigious #ESPEchat Team (http://espechat.weebly.com/).
B.A. Salisbury University - Physical Education M.A. University of Northern Iowa - Physical Education Technology |
Doug Hallberg is in his 27th year teaching Physical Education, and has spent the last 22 years in the Mohonasen Central School District in the Albany, NY area. Doug has presented numerous times at the local, state, regional and national levels. Doug was the 2015 N.Y.S. AHPERD Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, the 2017 Eastern District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year and the 2017 SHAPE America National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. His favorite title however, is "dad," as Doug and his wife have 3 children together.
B.A. SUNY Cortland - Physical Education M.A. SUNY Cortland - Physical Education |
Dan Gawrisch is currently a professor of physical education at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. As a graduate of MLC himself, Dan has been happy to be back teaching where his physical education journey began. Dan is currently involved in teaching courses related to physical education curriculum and instruction and physical education technology to undergraduate students. He also is the head coach of the Martin Luther College women's basketball team.
B.A. Martin Luther College - Physical Education M.A. University of Northern Iowa - Physical Education Technology |