RESOURCES
PUBLICATION
Chandler is a published author, co-authoring the article “Silencing the Whisperers: Making PE more than PE,” focusing on cross-circular academic integration methods within an elementary physical education setting.
Abstract: “Many classroom teachers in our schools do not know what physical educators truly do. There is a need for additional strategies for physical education (PE) teachers to be viewed as contributors to not only students’ development as skillful movers, but also to the goals of the entire school. By implementing new cross-curricular best practices, the PE teacher can be viewed positively as an academic contributor. At the University of North Georgia, preservice teachers are successfully implementing two new strategies at the elementary level. The goal is to support the entire school’s curriculum and, as a result, silence the whispers of the “gym coach” stigma. This article provides emerging strategies to new and veteran teachers on how to successfully implement cross-curricular content within their physical education programs without needing to make overly invasive changes.”
PRESENTATION
Chandler has been a proud presenter at the 2024 Share the Wealth PE Conference hosted in Jekyll Island, GA and the 2024 Georgia AHPERD Convention in Athens, GA with his presentation, “Let’s Play: Pickleball & The Entire Kitchen Dink.” Learn more about his presentation:
“Pickleball has taken the United States by storm. More and more cities across the country are building dedicated pickleball courts. As you drive around, pickleball courts have wait times that exceed several hours. However, this growth tends to be seen within the adult population. That said, the trend of the average age of pickleball participants continues to decline. According to USA Pickleball, the largest age group of participants in pickleball is the 18–34-year-old age group. This statistic is promising as the sport continues to trickle down to the younger population.
In order to reach the youngest of populations in pickleball, it requires strategic integration in physical education classes. Thus, an intentional program must be designed to ensure that students receive the proper instruction, which covers cues and skills and how to apply those into gameplay that best fits the appropriate skill level of the student.
As a certified pickleball coach through the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), the preferred teaching certification of USA Pickleball, I provide a guide of what skills need to be taught and how to properly progress said skills that promote adequate skill development. These activities will offer physical education teachers various activities that they can incorporate into their content. This includes paddle skill work, play with and without the net, modified gameplay, and activities dedicated to individual skills to highlight some of the key elements. I am excited to share cues and techniques that can be applied to an elementary, middle school, or high school physical education class setting.”