SHAPE America’s EDI Podcast will explore a variety of topics relating to equity, diversity, and inclusion in health and physical education. Each episode will feature insightful interviews and discussion with invited guests, podcast host Sean Nevills, and the rest of the EDI Podcast team.
Sean Nevills
Sean Nevills is a lifetime member of SHAPE America and current host for the SHAPE America EDI Podcast. As a
former project director for SHAPE America, Sean led the CDC-funded COVID-19 initiatives for the 2020-21 school
year. Previously, Sean served as director of health and physical education for the Missouri Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education. He is a licensed K-12 physical educator who has taught adapted PE, high
school PE, and virtual classes throughout his teaching career. Sean’s work in education includes curriculum
development, employee and community wellness, and educational equity. Sean has nearly 15 years of football
coaching experience from the youth level through college and several years of experience coaching track and
field. He is an active member of Missouri SHAPE and serves as chair of MOSHAPE’s Equity, Diversity, and
Inclusion Committee.
Cara Grant
Cara Grant, Ed.D., is a supervisor for preK-12 health and physical education in the 14th largest school district
in the United States. She also supports the Physical Education Master’s Certification Program at the University
of Maryland College Park. Her work infuses and prioritizes equity, diversity, and inclusion so all students are
included and welcomed in curriculum, instruction, and teaching practices.
Patricia Morgan
Patricia Morgan, Ph.D., is an innovative and passionate educator and leader with a heart for equity, access,
inclusion, and social justice. She is an experienced coordinator of science, health, and physical education
programs. In addition to her work in the K-12 sector, she works in higher education as an adjunct professor. In
her spare time, she studies and presents on culturally relevant pedagogy, diversity, equity, and inclusion
(DEI), and STEM at local, national, and international conferences.
Sue Scheppele
Sue Scheppele is a doctoral physical education fellow at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. She taught
preK-8 physical education for seven years and was a lead PE teacher in the Houston Independent School District.
In addition, she was a high school health and physical education teacher for three years in Pittsburgh. Sue is a
certified DEI trainer for the Anti-Defamation League and received the Walter Kase Award for teacher excellence
in 2017.
Mara Simon
Mara Simon, Ed.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Education and Health Education at
Springfield College. Her research interests include culturally relevant pedagogy in PE and addressing racial
inequity and whiteness in PE teacher education.
John Strong
John Strong is an associate professor within the HPE Department at Niagara County Community College (NCCC) in
Sanborn, NY. He is also the chief diversity and equity officer (CDEO) at NCCC and enjoys using his capacity as
CDEO to inform his interactions within the SHAPE America EDI Committee.
Kennedra Tucker
Kennedra Tucker is a K-12 health and physical education specialist. A Maryland educator for 14 years, Kennedra
has been recognized as a 2017 National Board Certified Teacher, the 2018 SHAPE Maryland Middle School Physical
Education Teacher of the Year, and a SHAPE Maryland past president. She is currently a member of the SHAPE
America EDI Committee and is presently pursuing an Ed.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park in school
system leadership.