Creating Games with a Purpose: A Framework for Prek-5 Physical Educators (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781718236028)

Jan Galen Bishop, EdD, NASM, is an experienced author, physical educator, and presenter. She is a professor in the department of physical education and human performance at Central Connecticut State University where she specializes in teacher preparation at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has served on the task force of many initiatives through SHAPE America, including Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines, Social Justice in PETE/HETE, and Crosswalk of InTASC and SHAPE America PETE Standards. She also serves as the chair of the Subdiscipline Content for Teacher Preparation task force and the Professional Preparation Council (PPC) for SHAPE America.

A past president of the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CTAHPERD), Bishop has presented at state, district, and national conventions for over 25 years. She was recognized with the Joy of Effort Award by SHAPE America in 2025 and the Professional Honor Award by CTAHPERD in 2024. She is author of multiple books and has been published in Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (JOPERD), Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, and the CTAHPERD Bulletin.

Constance Kapral, MS, has extensive experience as a physical educator in a public school setting. As a teacher leader, her professional development presentations at the local, state, regional, and national levels have been very well received. As a Cooperating Teacher for Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, and Springfield College, she guided many student teachers and conveyed the importance of a student-centered approach to teaching. In making the change to higher education at Central Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University as an adjunct instructor, Kapral applied the knowledge and skills gained over the years to teaching undergraduate student majors in two courses as well as being a university supervisor. She was named Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by CTAHPERD and has served as president of CTAHPERD. Kapral helps teacher candidates develop the competencies they need to be successful, impactful, and caring professionals who deliver the high-quality instruction that children deserve.

Amanda Amtmanis, MA, has more than 20 years of experience teaching K-5 physical education in Middletown, Connecticut. Prior to teaching in the Middletown public schools, she taught high school for one year, taught at a K-8 school for a year, and taught for several years in private residential special education settings. She was named Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by CTAHPERD in 2014. In addition, she has been honored twice by CTAHPERD with the Outstanding Program Award for her take-home fitness kits (designed to creatively facilitate family connections with physical education for young learners) and an inclusive bike-learning program for students with special needs. She has served as president of CTAHPERD in the past.

Amtmanis continually seeks out professional development opportunities, as both an attendee and as a presenter. Some notable experiences that have informed her practice have been attending the RULER Institute at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and attending facilitator training with the Center for Applied Research and Equity. She is a state, regional, and national presenter on a variety of topics, including a particular focus on social and emotional learning. She was asked to be a pilot leader for SHAPE America's Health Moves Minds program and to serve on the National Physical Education Standards revision task force.