SHAPE Michigan
Newsletter - December 2025
SHAPE MICHIGAN
Email: shapemichigandirector@gmail.com
Website: www.shapemichigan.us
Phone: 269-521-7871
Facebook: facebook.com/SHAPEMICHIGAN
Twitter: @SHAPEMI
SHAPE Michigan Newsletter
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SHAPE MICHIGAN!
Wishing you a wonderful and healthy holiday season from SHAPE Michigan! As this time of year brings moments of celebration, connection, and reflection, we encourage everyone to keep wellness at the heart of the holidays. May you find joy in movement, nourishment in healthy choices, and balance in caring for both body and mind. Here’s to a season filled with gratitude and good health.
Please mark your calendar for our upcoming events including starting the new year with January's Networking Night - Thursday, January 22nd at 7:00. In this newsletter, find out about upcoming events, our featured member and future professional, and other exciting news. Also, don't forget to check out SHAPE Michigan's social media pages. We would also like to welcome our new SHAPE Michigan president, Delia Powell as well as new board members.
If you have items to submit for the monthly newsletter, please let us know. Please send us your suggestions, feedback and and comments.SHAPE Michigan continues to provide programs,
products, and services to all Physical Education and Health professionals throughout the year.
Send emails to shapemichigandirector@gmail.com or call 269.521.7871
Thank you for supporting SHAPE Michigan!
Deb Berkey
Greetings from the Executive Director’s Desk!
What a year! As I reflect on 2025, here are some highlights that come to mind:
(1) Advocacy Day! What a great collaboration among Lansing Public Schools, MISHCA and SHAPE Michigan. There were 300 students and 30 plus professionals from around state demonstrating ways to “Be Smart- Take Care of Your Heart”. The opportunity to raise the visibility of the importance of physical activity as a daily choice to promote healthy, active lifestyles was well received and publicized. Thanks to all who contribute to this project!
(2) Continued renewal and activity in our five regions though the outstanding work of Regional Reps. As we continue our partnership with MISHCA, we are co-hosting more and more local events that allow teachers in each region to network, share and grow professionally. Thanks Regional Reps and MISHCA Coordinators!
(3) Grant support from Vertis (formerly TriFound- thanks Jill and Gary Harris) and the continued impact these awards have on your teachers and students across Michigan. Seven school districts across the state received funding for projects from stand-up paddle boards, blaze pods, nine square, adaptive exercise bikes, yoga mats and tchoukball equipment. Congrats to the grant writers and thanks for your efforts on behalf of your students.
(4) Teacher of the Year Recipients and Award winners. AWESOME leaders and true professionals were selected and honored by SHAPE MICHIGAN and our generous partners US OPEN GAMES and Heart Smart. Several meritorious and honor awards were also presented to the folks who make this organization successful and impact the lives of colleagues, students and community members every day.
(5) Future Professional Awards. Thanks to the caring faculty at Wayne State, Grand Valley , Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Northern Michigan, Saginaw, Adrian, Hope, Olivet and University of Michigan, fifteen outstanding future professionals were identified and recognized for their current activities and future professional potential. I am looking forward to hearing great things about them!!
(6) 525 professionals at the annual convention! What a fantastic turn out!! Great speaker---special shouts out to John Jones and John Kusku… Timely messages and encouragement for all. Grateful to the exhibitors, speakers, attendees and the work crew.
(7) Partnership with the Michigan Moves Coalition. The association with professional organizations across the state supports our mission to provide programs, products and services that facilitate the pursuit of healthy, active lifestyles.
(8) The crew behind the scenes. You know who you are and how important you are to our collective impact. THANKS.
As I look at the year 2026, it dawns on me that I have been in this profession as teacher, administrator, professor, supervisor, mentor and advocate for half a century! Many things have changed over the decades---technology, funding, politics, social media to name a few. But one thing that has NOT changed is the importance of healthy, active lifestyles. I look forward to working with each of you to continue our quest to increase health and physical literacy among the residents (Young and not so young) and to inspire everyone to take responsibility for their physical, mental and emotional health so that, together, we can find ways to live peacefully in our magnificent state. Have a safe and restful holiday season. See you in 2026!
Delia Powell
We welcome SHAPE Michigan's new president - Delia Powell!
Delia Powell is an Adapted Physical Education Specialist with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and the Co-Curricular Director of Athletics & Clubs for Ann Arbor Public Schools. With more than 13 years of experience, she specializes in adapting instruction, transition programming, IDEA compliance, and data-driven progress monitoring for students with disabilities.
As the current President of SHAPE-MI, Delia is honored to help lead a statewide community of educators, advocates, and future professionals into a new year of collaboration and growth. Her leadership centers on strengthening connections between K–12 practitioners, university partners, and emerging professionals; expanding equitable access to high-quality professional development; and advancing the shared mission of promoting health and physical education for all Michigan students. She is committed to elevating the visibility of the profession, pursuing sustainable funding streams, and guiding SHAPE-MI through a strategic vision that supports advocacy, innovation, and long-term organizational growth.
Goals for 2026:
Goal 1 – Membership Growth & Engagement
Increase statewide membership by 20 percent through targeted campaigns, referral incentives, and regional collaboration. Expand Mighty Network participation and engagement among current members.
Goal 2 – Professional Development & Regional Engagement
Provide accessible, high-quality learning opportunities across Michigan through regional workshops, ISD partnerships, and university collaborations. Increase workshop attendance by 20 percent and connect K–12 educators with higher-education programs.
Goal 3 – Partnerships & Higher Education Collaboration
Strengthen connections among universities, APE specialists, and K–12 educators to support teacher preparation and practicum placements.
Goal 4 – Communications & Brand Identity
Redesign the SHAPE-MI website for accessibility and mobile responsiveness. Launch a coordinated digital-newsletter and social-media strategy to unify messaging, highlight members, and increase brand visibility statewide.
Goal 5 – Financial Growth & Sustainability
Diversify revenue through grants, sponsorships, and ISD partnerships. Expand funding sources while ensuring transparent fiscal stewardship to support the mission of quality PE, Health, and APE programs for all.
Join your colleagues for another exciting SHAPE Michigan networking session! Click HERE for the access link or go to shapemichigan.us. Learn about the new Michigan Health Education Standards- presented by Laurie Bechhofer- MDE Consultant. Information about regional conferences will also be provide!
I grew up and graduated from DeWitt High School. I received my Bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and Master's degree from Western Governors University.
Ever since middle school, I knew I always wanted to be in the HPE world. We did a career day where we got to choose a profession and went station to station learning about what you needed to do and how you can make a living with the profession that you chose. I am a massive sports fan and enjoy everything about them. I also, had influential teachers in my life so I chose PE teacher for the career day. That experience jumpstarted my interest into being a teacher. I had an amazing middle school PE teacher (Mr. Elliott) that had a great influence on me and made the PE class so much fun. In high school, I had a great Health teacher (Mr. Phillips) and PE teacher (Mr. Zimmerman). I got the opportunity to shadow Mr. Zimmerman for a semester in high school where I got to work on planning lessons and creating new games for the class. From that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue PE teaching and I owe a lot to him. Finally, Central Michigan University has such a great PE/Health program that has shaped me as well. Fire up Chips!
I enjoy everything to do with sports. In my spare time, I like to golf, exercise, and play pickleball. I am a huge Detroit and MSU sports fan. I collect MSU and Detroit sports memorabilia. I love my family and doing anything with them. I am a girl dad of 3 daughters and 2 (female) beagles. I have coached a lot of different sports, but the most I am passionate about is football. I have coached a total of 15 years with DeWitt and Mt. Pleasant High Schools. Both coaches (Coach McIntyre and Coach Zimmerman) have played such a huge role in my life and I wouldn't be who I am today without them. I am a better teacher, coach, and father because of them.
High School: Saugatuck High School, Saugatuck MI
Why did you choose the Health / Physical Education Profession?
I’ve always been passionate about giving back to the community, mentoring youth, and healthy living. When deciding what I wanted to dedicate my life too, HPE seemed like the obvious choice. I’m able to give back to my community by equipping the next generation to becoming healthy individuals..
Why did you choose Grand Valley State University?
My family has always been important to me. When I began looking at schools, I focused on finding one close to home so I could continue to be involved in my younger siblings’ lives. It was also important for me to attend a well-established university with high academic standards. Lastly, because community matters to me, I wanted a school where professors take the time to know their students individually and foster a strong sense of connection within the program. I’m grateful to have found a university that embodies all of these qualities.
What are your hobbies?
Cooking, working out, exploring new coffee shops with my husband, spending time with the youth at my church, playing any kind of card game.
Favorite Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life
Two interesting facts about you:
I am the oldest of 10 kids and I lived in Kansas City for 16 years (yes, that makes me a chiefs fan).
Ski for Free - 4th and 5th graders
Michigan’s “Cold is Cool” program makes winter adventure more accessible than ever!
Through this special initiative, all 4th and 5th graders ski free at participating ski areas across Michigan. Families simply request the Cold is Cool Passport (small fee), which gives kids access to multiple free lift tickets and exclusive discounts. It’s the perfect way to get children outdoors, active, and excited about winter—whether they’re brand-new to the slopes or already budding ski pros. Grab a passport, bundle up, and discover why Michigan winters are made for fun!
Ashley Ables - SHAPE Michigan Secretary
Ashley Ables, is a K-4 Physical Education teacher at Lawton Elementary School in Lawton. In addition to teaching and being the SHAPE Michigan secretary, I am the assistant softball coach at Kalamazoo College. I look forward to learning, growing, and continuing to do our part in ensuring the health and wellness of our students! Ashley's goal for the upcoming year is to learn more about the workings of SHAPE MI from the executive board perspective.
Johnny Borg - VP Adapted Physical Education
Kristin Olmsted - VP of Physical Education
Jeff Wright - Region 1: Upper Peninsula Representative
Jeff Wright attended the University of Olivet (formally Olivet College) and currently teaches in Escanaba at both the junior high and high school. He is in his 16th year of being an educator and teaches both Physical Education and Strength Training. Jeff has a wife and two kids (12 + 10). Jeff's goal for the upcoming year is to become a better teacher and advocate for PE/Health.
Mark English - Region 2: Northwest Representative
Mark English grew up in the small town of Onekama and attended Western Michigan University. Mark has spent the last eighteen years teaching in Holton and teaches 6-12 Physical Education and coaches football, quiz bowl, and track. Mark lives in the North Muskegon with his wife Suzanne and son Johnathan. His goal for 2026 is to help expand membership or at least the knowledge and opportunity in the Northwest region.
Sydney Moore - Middle School PE Representative
Sydney Moore is a 2008 graduate of Thornapple-Kellogg high school. She attended GVSU for her undergraduate degree (2013) and earned her Masters from Emporia State University (2020). Sydney has spent time teaching Elementary Physical Education but has mostly taught Physical Eduction and Health at the junior high level in Holt. She enjoy teaching her students ways to find joy within movement! Sydney's goal with SHAPE Michigan year is to assist in growth of networking, and create an easier way to connect and share ideas!
