Fall 2020 marked the beginning of the combined Health and Physical Education Teacher Education (HPE) major at GVSU.  The HPE major is approved by the Michigan Department of Education as well as Grand Valley State University. This program offers students dual certification in PK-12 HPE. This program is based on best practices in the field of HPE and guided by our National Organization- SHAPE America. We follow a standards-based approach that aims to educate the whole child.

If you have questions about the HPE Major please reach out to Dr. Ingrid Johnson.

Elementary Placement: Evergreen Elementary School (Allendale)
Highlight from Elementary Placement: Seeing how excited the students were to come to PE class every morning.

Secondary Placement: City High School (GRPS) & Hesperia High School
Highlight from Secondary Placement: Being able to teach both in-person and online gave me some very valuable teaching experience.

Most Memorable Moment at GVSU: Several PE majors and I pulled an all-nighter at the library to finish our 306 unit plans. It wasn't fun at the time but it's funny to look back on now.

Elementary Placement: Cherry Creek Elementary - Lowell Area Schools
Highlight from Placement: Having kids actually excited to be at school and amped up to play and learn about PE!

Secondary Placement:
Holland High School
Highlight from Placement: Working in a diverse location with people who don’t look like me - I loved hearing about their perspectives on the current climate in the country/world and what they think are best ways to go about improving society and themselves individually!

Most memorable moment from GV: Getting to meet, talk, and become friends with professors/peers who I otherwise probably would have not. You all have had more of an impact on my life than you know! You’re the best!!

Student Honor Award for Shape Michigan- Major of the Year representing Grand Valley State University Dan Pohanka & Rachel Smith

Summer Carls and Mitch Huizen were awarded 2019 GVSU Majors of the Year for SHAPE Michigan

Rachael Chase was awarded the 2018 Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship by SHAPE America. This scholarship is awarded to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are members of SHAPE America.