June 27, 2019
Dr. Megan Chilson, a professor in the Health & Human Performance Department at UMW, was recently selected as the SHAPE America Western District Director.
SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) America is the national organization that serves as the voice for over 200,000 health and physical education professionals. Founded in 1885, the goal was to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance and sport.
Megan Chilson joined SHAPE America in 1994 as a graduate student and has remained actively involved throughout her professional career. She has served on state boards in Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado and Montana representing a variety of positions, including student representative to state president, and recently served two terms as the Northwest District President.
The organization has defined excellence in physical education, as National Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country by providing programs, resources and advocacy that supports a healthier school culture at every level, including preschool to university graduate programs.
As a professor, Chilson works with K-12 schools in developing weeklong field experiences for her PETE (Physical Education Teacher Education) and HETE (Health Education Teacher Education) students during their methods courses in addition to supervising student teaching.
At Montana Western, students take a single course at a time, three hours each day for 18 days before moving on to the next course. This unique approach to class scheduling, known as Experience One, allows for a more immersive education.
“Megan is a passionate supporter of SHAPE America’s mission and has long served as an ambassador of SHAPE initiatives in continually bringing current information back to her institution and developing ways for her own students to become involved,” said Stephanie Morris, Chief Executive Officer of SHAPE America.
Chilson will begin her new position in August 2019.
To learn more about SHAPE America, please visit https://bit.ly/2J3hxny. To learn more about Montana Western, please visit the Experience One webpage.
