Our Mission The Society of State Leaders utilizes advocacy, partnerships, professional development, and resources to build the capacity of school health leaders to implement effective health education and physical education policies and practices that support success in school, work and life. | The Society of State Leadersof Health and Physical Education
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Join Us for a Historic Celebration The Society of State Leaders is thrilled to be celebrating 100 Years. The registration for the 2026 Society of State Leaders Learning Collaborative and Annual Meeting is open. This year's meeting marks a truly monumental milestone as we partner with ASHA to celebrate their 100th Annual School Health Conference. By aligning our events, attendees will have unprecedented opportunities to network, share insights, and collaborate with health and physical education leaders from across the nation. |
Why Membership in the Society Matters More Than EverFor nearly a century, the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education has been the national home for state‑level leaders committed to advancing health, physical education, and whole‑child wellness. As we celebrate our 100th year, membership has never been more valuable—or more impactful. Membership connects you to a community of professionals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of working at the state level. It’s a place where collaboration thrives, ideas are shared freely, and leaders help each other strengthen programs that reach millions of students nationwide. Members gain access to a powerful network of colleagues across the country who are shaping policy, improving systems, and driving innovation. Whether you’re navigating new legislation, updating standards, or launching statewide initiatives, the Society of State Leaders provides a trusted space to learn from peers and build meaningful partnerships. |
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Upcoming Events
*Events are listed in Eastern Time |
|  Donation GoalGoal: $1,926.00
Collected: $1,500.00
To celebrate the founding of The Society of State Leaders in 1926! Help support our Annual Fall meeting with a charitable gift.
Be a Sponsor for the 100th Year Celebration of the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education 2026 Annual Fall Meeting October 13, 2026 Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport |
We are excited to launch The Society Member Spotlight series! This series will highlight the experience, expertise, and personal stories of our members. The goals are to:
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 Meet Laurie Bechhofer - a member of the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education for nearly 25 years. We asked Laurie: What is one piece of advice you’d give yourself when you first began working in the Health and PE profession?Laurie shared, “If I could give my younger self one piece of advice when starting a new role, it would be this: take time to connect with key partners in your organization, across your state, and nationally. Building trusting relationships is invaluable. There is so much to learn from colleagues who have been doing this work, and those newer to the field bring fresh ideas and energy. Prioritize face‑to‑face conversations - virtual or in person - to strengthen connections, learn from one another, and avoid reinventing the wheel.” To learn more about Laurie and her Member Spotlight survey responses, visit the members‑only section. One of the benefits of joining the Society is getting to know fellow members across the country so you can quickly build your support network. |
The Success Showcase highlights and celebrates the meaningful work happening across states, districts, and partner organizations. This space features examples of innovative programs, effective strategies, and impactful collaborations from state agencies, schools, and vendors. By sharing these stories, the Success Showcase recognizes achievements, promotes best practices, and provides inspiration for others looking to strengthen their own work. It also creates an opportunity to celebrate progress, build community, and demonstrate the positive outcomes being achieved across the field.
 | The 2026 Virginia Health and Physical Activity Institute (HPAI) held July 12–15 at James Madison University's Festival Conference Center in Harrisonburg, brought together health, physical education, driver education, and family life educators from across Virginia for four days of high-quality professional learning and collaboration. Hosted by the Virginia Department of Education in partnership with James Madison University, HPAI remains one of the nation's few statewide institutes that intentionally integrates all four disciplines into one comprehensive learning experience. The institute featured nearly 80 professional learning sessions, including 70 educator-led breakout workshops presented by approximately 60 experts, along with keynote presentations by Doug Halberg and Mark Housel. Participants gained practical, classroom-ready strategies focused on engaging instruction, meaningful assessment, student reflection, and relationship building. Attendees also collaborated through a unique cross-divisional team model that fostered networking, leadership, and the sharing of best practices among educators statewide. |
Beyond professional learning, HPAI served as an important statewide network for educators, reinforcing the VirginiaDepartment of Education's message of supporting students' pathways to postsecondary education, military service, and the workforce through quality health and physical education. The institute concluded with recognition of outstanding educators, scholarship recipients, and Teachers of the Year, celebrating excellence within the profession. Planning is already underway for the 2027 Health and Physical Activity Institute, which will return to James Madison University July 11–14, 2027. Submitted by: Name: Jennifer Vedder, Coordinator for Health, Physical, Family Life and Driver Education at the Virginia Department of Education Role in Society: Professional Member and Co-chair of the Professional Learning Committee |