Our Story
As a group of young educators in the pursuit of best practice, 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 PE was fostered between us all. This passion 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 that time in 2009, 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 across the country and represent the entirety of the American education system. Collectively, with 60 years of educational experience between its 5 members, the 5STARPE team has a skill set unlike any other physical education organization. Our expertise in technology implementation, curriculum writing/alignment and effective professional development can help shift your physical education program from the stone age into the data-driven education age.
Since that time in 2009, 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 across the country and represent the entirety of the American education system. Collectively, with 60 years of educational experience between its 5 members, the 5STARPE team has a skill set unlike any other physical education organization. Our expertise in technology implementation, curriculum writing/alignment and effective professional development can help shift your physical education program from the stone age into the data-driven education age.
MEET THE TEAM!
CHRIS MEKELBURG, ED.D
DR.MEK@5STARPE.COM (@MRM3KPE) MEMBER Chris Mekelburg has been teaching elementary physical education at Covert Elementary School in Rockville Centre, NY for the past 7 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 |
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 7 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 |
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.
Heart rate technology is an integral part of our PETE program and our students have access to and experiences with heart rate monitors throughout their time on our campus. Our undergraduate students utilize heart rate monitors to develop and monitor their own workout programs aligned with SPORT FITT guidelines in a Fitness for Life course. Select activity courses incorporate heart rate monitors to maximize students’ MVPA in class and accurately assess effort, while providing detailed reports to the students and instructors about what is accomplished in class. Select coaches and student-athletes make use of heart rate monitoring in their respective NCAA DIII sports to provide accuracy and feedback during and after practices and workout sessions. Students are taught the value of heart rate monitoring in theory and pedagogy courses and are able to implement heart rate during their practice teaching experiences; providing them with unequivocal and immediate feedback on their teaching practices and allowing them to reflect and grow from each teaching experience along their journey to become a PE professional. B.A. Martin Luther College - Physical Education M.A. University of Northern Iowa - Physical Education Technology |
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