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 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.