In this episode, we sit down with Shannon, founder and Executive Director of The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation (PLAY)—a passionate advocate, change maker, and trailblazer in the field of health and physical education.
Shannon began her journey as a physical education teacher in Colorado, teaching across diverse communities and school types. Her classroom experiences lit a fire for equity, leadership, and student wellness—ultimately guiding her to statewide and national platforms. In 2017, she made history as the first woman of color to serve as President of SHAPE Colorado and helped spark the early development of Colorado House Bill 19-1161, focused on comprehensive physical education instruction.
From 2018 to 2022, Shannon served as Principal Investigator and Project Manager at the Colorado Department of Education, leading a CDC Healthy Schools grant and convening more than 100 stakeholders through the Colorado Healthy Schools Collaborative. Her work during the COVID-19 pandemic brought together departments, educators, and public health experts to support schools in addressing physical activity, chronic condition management, nutrition, and the social-emotional climate.
Tune in to hear her inspiring story, lessons in daring leadership, and her vision for what education can and should be.
✨ We look forward to seeing all of you at the NAHPL Health and Physical Literacy Summit in sunny Orlando, Florida, March 2–5, 2026!
✔ Find all the details at www.NAHPL.org
