meet the trainers

Dr. Jean Blaydes Moize, founder of Action Based Learning, is an internationally known educational consultant, speaker and author on the subject of how brain research supports the link of movement to enhanced learning. Jean Blaydes Madigan has made hundreds of presentations internationally in 10 foreign countries and nationally in all 50 states. Moize taught for 27 years in the classroom, in Physical Education and as a college professor. Her excellence in teaching is recognized by awards such as Richardson ISD Teacher of the year, Texas AHPERD Teacher of the Year, and one of six National Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year representing 13 states in the Southern District.Jean received the 2005 PE4Life Advocacy award.Her dynamic, interactive presentations will have you on your feet experiencing learning through movement and making valuable applications that enhance cognition to give students an advantage to learn.

Dave is the Coordinator of Health, Physical Education, Athletics, ROTC, and Wellness in the Charleston County School District in South Carolina, is hailed as “one of the titans of physical education in the US,” by Harvard Medical School researcher and author Dr. John Ratey, “he is one of the biggest reformers in this country.” Spurlock, a retired coach and PE teacher, is now an experienced presenter, who is regularly asked to speak at conferences, throughout the country, on how the integration of daily physical activity improves learning and behavior. Spurlock has worked closely with and presented with Jean Blaydes for the past 7 years. His practical application of movement in the classroom is currently a subject of research by The Medical University of South Carolina and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Cindy Hess is a retired physical educator at Highland Elementary School in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Cindy has taught Health and Physical Education K-12 over her 35 year career. Her greatest success stories not only include the Action Based Learning Lab, but implementation of the “New PE” curriculum K-12 at Ephrata, as well as achieving daily physical education for students K-2 grade at Highland Elementary through her innovative curriculum design. Cindy has dedicated her career to improving the health and well being of her students and staff through active healthy lifestyles. Her innovative, creative ideas have revolutionized kindergarten Physical Education nation-wide. Originally called the SMART program Cindy created a program to prepare the early brain for learning by filling in developmental gaps. Cindy developed and organized the SMART program by combining physical education and brain research concepts. The program became the Action Based Learning Lab when Cindy and Jean Blaydes joined forces in 2004. Her expertise in motor development, her knowledge of curriculum and the support she received from her administration added to the success of her excellent physical education program. Cindy’s program is featured on the lab’s DVD as well as ABC’s Good Moring America, “Getting Kids Moving in School.”

Cindy was recognized as a leader in physical education as the 2006 Pennsylvania Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. She has also received the states Professional Honor Award and several local awards from the Lancaster/Lebanon Association. Cindy serves on several state and local committees to advance physical education. She has presented her program nationally at conventions including the Brain Expo in Orlando, National AAHPERD’s, PE4Life, as well as school districts across the nation. Cindy and Jean work closely with Dr. John Ratey author of “SPARK” and their Action Based Learning Lab is in over 2,600 schools across the United States, Switzerland, Australia and Canada. In retirement Cindy has supervised student teachers from West Chester University, continued presenting the Action Based Learning Lab, and remains active in her profession through personal wellness coaching and wellness support for our returning veterans.

Leslie is an experienced presenter on the topics of Physical Education, Brain Breaks, and Movement in the classroom. She uses a creative approach involving audience participation and group dynamics which results in enthusiastic and motivational presentations. While maintaining her high standards, Leslie delivers useful and relevant information in all of her presentations and workshops on topics for teachers of preschool age children through adults and well as pre-service teachers. Presentations, based on the latest brain research, are customized for the audience. They can include: Teaching the Teenage Brain, Teaching the Brain in Poverty, Building Better Brains, Kinesthetic K.I.D.S. plus more. This is all delivered with enthusiasm, passion and humor. The audiences leave her workshops with a shared sense of purpose and with skills ready to put to practice. She is currently a Action Based Learning Interventionist in the Alief ISD in the Houston area as well as an ABL Master Trainer. She has taught elementary and middle school physical education. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Arizona State University, and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Leslie is very knowledgeable with curriculum, management and team building. This knowledge, combined with her excellent interpersonal and communication skills, create energetic, interactive and fun sessions that can be implemented the same day.

Laura is a former middle and HS science teacher, counselor, and Prevention and Safe School Specialist serving Alief ISD in Houston, TX for 30 years. She has a B.S in regular and special education and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. As a teacher and counselor, she worked primarily on alternative campuses. Most of her career as a Prevention Specialist at a district level provided classroom management coaching and support to 10+ campuses, administrators and teachers. She also provided ongoing professional development training to staff, students, and community. She was instrumental in implementing ABL districtwide, Alief ISD currently ranks as one of the largest and most successful Action Based Learning districts in the nation. She has had tremendous training with Eric Jensen and others who specialize in brain science, poverty and the brain and social/emotional learning. As an ABL master trainer since 2013, Klubert is an experienced and polished presenter on topics of classroom management, Action Based Learning, brain based strategies, poverty, team building, high engagement strategies and building meaningful relationships. She has presented staff trainings over the past 17 years at a district, state and national level. Klubert is an active advocate and consultant for Action Based Learning, and Safe and Civil Schools, and continues to train educators nationwide to fulfill her personal mission of impacting the lives of students that need it the most. Her high energy, passion, humor and commitment that “all students can learn” and knowledge in brain science, makes her presentations, A MUST SEE!

John is an area, action based learning and kinesthetic classroom consultant. His credentials include a Masters Degree with concentration in Exercise Physiology, Certified Exercise Specialist, and is fully certified by the American College of Sports Medicine. During his career, he has been a classroom teacher and adjunct professor at Lee College, Adelphi University, Texas Southern University and Queens College. He has owned, operated, and consulted in the area of kinesthetic learning and youth fitness. His passion for children’s wellness and his love for education has lead him to work with teachers and administrators to assist with the development of kinesthetic learning programs. This includes both action based learning labs ,kinesthetic classrooms, and youth fitness areas. He is available to assist with teacher trainings, room design, and equipment selection. His metropolitan NY territory reaches from northern NJ, NYC, southern CT, and Long Island.

Dana currently leads the Action Based Learning sector of Schools for Healthy Lifestyles in Oklahoma and presents at schools all over the nation. Chamber's achievements include receiving the Oklahoma SHAPE Honor Award, Elementary Teacher of the Year, Health Educator of the Year, Newcastle’s Teacher of the Year, PEP Grant Director from 2012-2015, Member of OK Shape America, Consultant for Head Start Body Smart (2009-2012) and VP of PE for Shape America’s Board and Council. She was also honored by the NBA OKC Thunder team as Teacher of the Game! She has served on the board in other capacities including elementary PE chair, Jump Rope for Heart task force chair, and strategic planning committee. She has currently trained over 30+ schools in Oklahoma in the past year and specializes in the topic of Movement and Learning in the Brain and implementation techniques for Action Based Learning.

Traci Lengel is a Health and Physical Education teacher in the Pocono Mountain School District.  With more than 25 years of experience, Traci’s knowledge in movement education, kinesthetic furniture, motor development, lifelong fitness/wellness, health education, curriculum design and educational/content publication has contributed to the success of her insightful programs and consultations.  Additionally, Traci is an adjunct professor at La Salle University in Pennsylvania and The College of New Jersey.  In conjunction with these positions, she is a designer/coauthor of three graduate courses with Mike Kuczala.  These highly esteemed graduate courses, titled Wellness: Creating Health and Balance in the Classroom, The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement and The Kinesthetic Classroom II: Moving Across the Curriculum, have had a profound effect on the personal and professional lives of thousands of educators. Traci is coauthor of the book The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning Through Movement, which was published in 2010 and is widely known as a best-selling educational publication.  Ready, Set, Go: The Kinesthetic Classroom 2.0 was published in 2017, to diver further into the concept that is transforming education across the country.  Due to an overwhelming interest in this topic, Traci will release an upcoming instructional, step by step guide to implementing kinesthetic desks and stations into the classroom. Classrooms on the Move: Using Kinesthetic Furniture to create a New Age of Learning, is expected to release in 2018

Jeanne is a passionate, energetic and experienced Action Based Learning™ master trainer. Her expertise in brain research, integration strategies, physical education and how to blend movement and academics in the classroom. Jeanne believes all children can learn and that movement is essential to learning. Jeanne’s presentations are dynamic, interactive, and practical covering a variety of topic including: how the brain learns, how to prepare the brain for learning, and how to build a better brain through movement. Participants engage in activities empowering educators with integration strategies on how their students improve memory, reinforce academic concepts creating mind-body mapping. With more than 32 years of education experience in North Carolina. With 32 years’ experience in teaching, elementary, middle school, high school and as district Physical Education Specialist. Jeanne holds Masters Degrees in Health, Physical Education, Administration and Curriculum Specialist. A National Board Certified teacher. Jeanne was recognized in her district as a Teacher of the Year and a Professional Development Master Teacher. Session Topics Include:

• Building Better Brains through Movement
• Movement Changes the Brain
• Using Movement in the Classroom and Enhance Learning
• Organizing Physical Education Classes and Programs taking Advantage of Brain Research
• Setting Up and Implementing a Successful ABL Lab

Stacey is an Action Based Learning Certified Trainer and fifth grade math and science teacher. She has created the first kinesthetic classroom in the nation. Her mission is to enhance learning for all students by incorporating movement into today’s classroom environment. Voted Pinckney Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2013 and nominated for the Mark Cobb Award for Change in 2014, Stacey has found her calling and shared her story in her latest book,Teaching Through Movement. She presents at ABL workshops across the united states and specializes in training educators how to incorporate the kinesthetic desks into the existing curriculum, and overall classroom management.

Erin is a physical education and health teacher who most recently was named OAHPERD’s 2015 Health Teacher of the Year for the state of Oklahoma. She was selected as teacher of the year for her school and has received the OKC Heartland Rotary Club Work for Peace award. After spending ten years in the classroom, she moved to the gym seven years ago searching for a way to link academic content to movement. Erin became an Action Based Learning Certified Trainer who has created and currently coordinates two state-of-the-art Kidsfit kinesthetic learning labs in her district. She educates and trains teachers and administrators looking to implement “Brain Gyms” and conducts workshops on classroom management and mentoring. Giving exercise and movement a voice outside of the gym energizes Erin to broaden the impact of her current work with Kidsfit.

Pam is currently the Instructional Specialist for Health and Physical Education with Pasadena ISD in Pasadena, Texas. Pam has 32 years of teaching experience. Her expertise is with physical education, health and coordinated school health for grades K-12. She is well-versed in content area curriculum specifically English and English as a Second Language at the secondary level. Pam is responsible for all workshops, in-services, and teacher training programs for all grade levels. She has been the Co-chair for the district’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) for the past 12 years. Pam has experience presenting to teachers, administrators, and community members at the local and state level. Pam is passionate about providing brain based, brain compatible strategies as intervention for special education and second language learners to help remediate the gaps in their learning. Pam is the 2010 CATCH Champion for the state of Texas, a 2010 PEP Grant recipient, the 2010 Director for the Secondary and Elementary Administrators Conference, and the 2013 Chair-Elect for K-12 Administrators for TAHPERD (Texas AHPERD). She has been nominated for the TAHPERD Administrator of the Year. She is a member of the Houston Area Leadership for Health and PE, the School Health Leadership for Harris County, and Healthy Living Matters which is a Houston/Harris County collaborative to connect policy to prevent childhood obesity. Pam has a BS in Education majoring in English and Athletic Coaching from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Education in English as a Second Language from the University of Houston. She has teaching and coaching experience at both the high school and intermediate levels.

Alise is a fun and energetic presenter that has a passion for kinesthetic learning. She has been a Master Trainer since 2014. In her presentations and trainings, she covers a variety of topics such as: brain based learning, brain research, administration approval, funding, how to build a better brain, and how to make learning fun again. These topics are taught to the audience through active learning and music. No more “sit and get!”. Alise’s expertise is in Early Childhood education. She started the first lab in Pasadena ISD and since then has trained multiple schools in and out of district on how to set up Action Based Learning Labs. She has also held multiple trainings around the state on how to incorporate kinesthetic learning in the classroom. She was the keynote speaker for a Preschool Conference in 2016. Alise has transformed her current school into an entirely kinesthetic program. They have replaced the traditional chairs with balls and/or stools and kinesthetic desks. They have increased the recess time and made sure that it, and physical education, were included every day. Alise is passionate about providing brain based, brain compatible strategies as for learners who have gaps in their learning. By having various types of purposeful movement in and out of the classroom they are closing the gap and creating lifelong learners. Alise has over 17 years of experience in public education. She earned her degree from Stephen F. Austin which started her career in speech therapy. She obtained multiple certifications and has taught special education, ESL, and Pre-K. She is currently the technology teacher and kinesthetic liaison for her campus and district. She also holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Lamar University. She learned early in her career how much movement helped all different types of learners. Her goal is to educate as many educators, administrators, and parents about the benefits of movement and learning in and out of school.

Bobby is the Action Based Learning teacher at Pinckney Elementary School. A former 4th grade teacher, he now teaches 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students as part of the school's special area rotation. The program titled, “Active Brains” consists of multiple active learning stations where students rotate through different stations while working on academic content. He is passionate about incorporating physical activity in every classroom and it is his goal to make the connection between movement and learning for all students. Bobby Specializes in the following areas: -Lab Management -Progressions in the Lab - Incorporating Academic Content into the Lab

Crystal, is a national speaker and ambassador for physical education with an emphasis in programming for students with disabilities, co-author of the Partner PE manual for Region X ESC, and an educator for all students for 16 years. She has presented at countless conferences ranging from outdoor education, state P.E. , to adapted physical education across the USA. Crystal has taught at all student grade levels, including college PE classes. In the past 10 years she has utilized brain research and best practices to navigate the challenging classrooms with students (aged 3-22 years old) with disabilities. The Partner PE programs have included facilitating the general education students to reach new heights of emotional development and social competencies of being a peer to students with disabilities during secondary PE settings. Crystal is currently creating a brain compatible elementary physical education program with brain-based activities interwoven throughout the sport and non-sport themed teaching units. She has taught English and elevated reading achievements in inner-urban high school settings with students from entrenched poverty. The brain from poverty can learn equally as the brain from affluent homes, and once they know the teacher cares then they will care. If you haven’t read Dr. Seuss in P.E. yet, well what are you waiting for? She earned her Bachelors and her Masters of Science in Kinesiology at Texas Woman’s University.

>Ann attained her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of South Dakota, and her M.S in Special Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). She is a Master Trainer with Action Based Learning (ABL) & has had extensive training with Jensen Learning. She has been a special education (SPED) teacher at all grade levels PreK-12, a SPED Assessment Coordinator, an Asst. Professor at MSUM in teacher preparation (K-12 & Special Education), and the Director of Special Education /Director of Student Support Services for KIPP Houston throughout her teaching career.During her doctoral study, she reviewed and implemented research-based strategies measuring the effect of brain principle strategy instruction on academic learning. During her study in the field of SPED, she earned licensure in Emotional/Behavior Disorders (E/ BD), Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), and Physical/Health Disabilities (P/HD).Her experiences encompass over fifteen years of working with a variety of students with exceptionalities and diverse needs in public and charter school settings, communities and at the university level. She has extensive experience in working with teaching behavior, assessment, curriculum & instruction, due process, assistive technology and instructional technology. She is a certified behavior specialist, coach and trainer in Teacher Child Interactive Training (TCIT) and is among a rare few trained on this groundbreaking effective model that comes to us through clinical therapy. She was selected by the state of Minnesota to be a Teacher Mentor in the field of special education. She was the assistant professor and coordinator the special education programs at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) for 7 years, and is in her 8th year as a consultant for implementation of the Response to Intervention model for MN, ND, SD and TX. Drs. Eric Jensen, John Medina, John Ratey and Jean Blaydes have trained her in brain-based and active learning strategies and research, including working with students and families in poverty. Currently Ann consults with schools that are interested in actively working to implement brain principle strategy instruction in their school building. The goal of her consulting is to improve academic achievement and social & emotional development for all children and adults through brain principle strategies.

Natalie is an energetic and passionate presenter of brain research and education.She has presented at local, regional, state, and national levels. Her expertise is in brain research, integration strategies, physical education, health education, and administration buy-in and support. She is driven by the thought that all children can learn and has a “no excuse” policy when it comes to children learning. She believes that movement facilitates learning and that learning can be fun. She models all of her believes in her presentations.Natalie has 10 years of educational experience. She spent the first 8 years as an elementary physical educator where she was a master at integrating core curriculum into movement. She has been invited to do several state and national presentations on integration and fitness. The past two years she has been in administration both as a Physical Education Coordinator and most recently as an Assistant Principal. Her goal is to help all administrators and teachers understand the impact that movement has on the learning process. Natalie has her Bachelors of Science in Physical Education from Western Carolina University, a Masters in Physical Education and a Masters of School Administration also from Western Carolina University and a Doctorate in Education in 2016. She has a National Board Certification in Physical Education, and holds both CrossFit Level I and CrossFit Kids certificates. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner -Webb university. She is so passionate about Action Based Learning that she is focusing her research on brain science and how movement is linked to learning. Natalie is a master trainer of Action Based Learning and is full of energy and passion. She is a dedicated life long learner and longs to share her knowledge with you.

Kelley is currently the Wellness Coordinator for Alief ISD in Houston, TX. She received a master’s degree from Texas A&M University and has taught reading, health, and physical education. Kelley has thirty-two years of teaching and coaching experience with the last twelve as a central office administrator. She has been promoting movement and learning for the last 20 years. During her years of teaching reading to 9th grade students who had not passed the state exam, she witnessed great improvement in student behavior and performance after the school started offering optional morning clubs. The improvement was greatest in those students who chose the morning cardio clubs, and that is where she began studying the concept of movement and learning.

Kelley has been training teachers and administrators in Action Based Learning in her district and around the state. Every teacher new to Alief ISD receives 14 hours of professional development in Action Based Learning concepts and implementation as a required part of their teacher induction program. This structure has led to increased buy in across the district, and more student movement throughout the school day. Part of her training focuses on positive classroom behavior structures that help teachers feel more confident in allowing more movement for students. She also trains principals on why movement is essential for creating the best environment for learning for all students.

Brenda has been a Physical Education teacher for 35 years. She has taught at the elementary, middle, high school, and collegiate level. She also has over 20 years of athletic coaching experience. The last 22 years has been spent with Charlotte- Mecklenburg School System teaching elementary students. She was a District Teacher of the Year while in Charlotte. Brenda’s passion lies in the classroom with students and teachers. She believes healthy students learn better and healthy teachers teach better. She loves sharing fun brain breaks with teachers and how to incorporate movement with all academic areas. With the experience of teaching at all levels, she has a great understanding of the total educational journey. Brenda holds a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Western Carolina University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. While in Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools, her classroom was a learning lab for other teachers within the district. She has assisted in writing curriculum and common core activities. Brenda has experience presenting movement concepts for all grade levels at the district and local levels during professional development trainings and staff meetings.Brenda is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. Additional activities that keep Brenda active including being a First Tee golf volunteer and refereeing high school/middle school volleyball. Brenda loves outdoor activities and traveling.