Speaking Engagements

Is your school or physical education organization in need of some best practices, current research, and inspiration?  Is your youth sport organization interested in highly engaging and informative presentations on coaching and parent education related topics? Are looking for a speaker to address parents who are concerned with their children’s wellness behaviors? Or, maybe you realize that helping your employees live well will serve your company well in both the short and long term.  If you answered yes to any of the above, you’ve come to the right place.
Dr. Amanda Stanec draws upon years of experience in the education, sport, and wellness fields in her talks.  Amanda relates pertinent information in a way that is uplifting and inspirational. Amanda is passionate about supporting all people to live healthier lives and uses her sense of humor and approachable style to interact with the audience. Participants leave Amanda’s speaking engagements with a “plan” and are motivated to see the plan carried through to action.  She is available for half day or multiple day employee, teacher, athlete, and/or coach workshops.  Amanda works with you to plan the optimal experience for all attendees and guarantees to deliver beyond expectation.

~ Upcoming Speaking Engagements ~

• In September (26th-27th), Amanda will present at the Ontario Physical Literacy Summit in Hamilton, Ontario.  Her first session is titled: Nice is Not Enough: How to foster a task-involved motivational climate in order to optimize individuals’ physical literacy development. While at the summit, Amanda will also participate in a discussion panel about mental wellness.  Amanda’s final session is a two-part session for parents, physical educators, and community coaches titled: Age and developmentally appropriate activities to support children’s physical literacy development during the FUNdamentals Stage (ages 6-8/9) of LTAD.
• In October (4th) Amanda is proud to be the Keynote Speaker at the Oregon Shape conference!  Her talk will center around physical literacy and how a quality physical education curriculum, and quality physical education programs, can support individuals’ physical literacy.
• In October (24th), Amanda returns to her native Nova Scotia to present three sessions at the annual Teachers Association for Physical and Health Education Conference.  Session titles will be updated on this site when they are available.  Amanda is excited to hear some great music and reconnect with amazing colleagues while presenting at the TAPHE conference.
• In November (19th) Amanda will once again present as part of the Brown in Balance Speaker Series at Washington University’s George Warren Brown School of Social Work.  Amanda will present on finding joy in physical activity as a way to control and reduce stress.  This session is open to faculty, staff, and students of the Brown School and greater Wash U campus.

Testimonial

“I was thrilled and exhausted at the end of the first Physical Literacy Summit in Hamilton last fall, but decided to squeeze in the last session offered by Amanda Stanec. Wow! I was re-vitalized and re-energized by her incredible passion for Physical Literacy! The session kept us active physically and mentally. Amanda has a gift for making everyone in her sessions feel valued. She challenged us to think about how we teach and how we could give more to our students. She demonstrated how wonderful it feels to be fully engaged in learning. Absolutely Awesome!” 

 Linda Whitmarsh, OCT, Health & Physical Education Department

Sinclair Secondary School, Whitby, Ontario

~ Recent Speaking Engagements ~

• COMPLETED In mid-August (2013), Amanda visits MICDS, a co-educational K-12 independent school in St. Louis.  During this workshop, Amanda will present the Teaching Games for Understanding model to physical educators.  She’s excited to work with the teachers at MICDS, and their amazing PE Chair who is a wonderful role model for all in the profession.
• COMPLETED In mid-August (2013), Amanda travels to Rutgers Preparatory School (New Jersey) to deliver a series of physical education workshops to the entire physical education staff.  Amanda’s excited to work with the dynamic faculty at Rutgers Prep as they examine their current curriculum. Amanda will help faculty determine how to modify curriculum and practice in order to best meet the needs of 21st century learners.
• COMPLETED This September (2013), Amanda is looking forward to presenting at the Kirkwood (MO) Youth Hockey Association’s “Icebreakers Weekend”.  Amanda will speak during several sessions on parenting and sport. Highlighted topics include how to foster a healthy environment away from the rink, as well as effective communication strategies pre and post hockey practices and games.  KYHA has recently been awarded an “American Development Model” association by USA Hockey! Congrats to KYHA on caring so deeply for their athletes and families.
• COMPLETED Physical Literacy is a key component of the new NASPE standards.  This September (2013), Amanda meets with amazing physical education professionals from the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.  Here, she will share pertinent information related to physical literacy, as well as its impact on curriculum development throughout Canada.  Parkway School District is an outstanding one, and Amanda is looking forward to meeting some of its incredible educators as she serves as the external reviewer throughout their physical education evaluation process.
• COMPLETED In September (2013), Amanda travels to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to present at the Physical Literacy Summit being held at the Hamilton Convention Center.  Here, Amanda will present Just Keep Movin’: Maintaining an upbeat and enjoyable environment while fostering physical literacy in physical education and sport. This summit is packed with amazing presentations and would love to have you! Check it out – Physical Literacy Summit.
• COMPLETED In October (2013), Amanda will present at the Canadian University Professors and Researcher (CUPR) forum, at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This presentation is titled: Lessons Learned: A physical education teacher educator revisits P-12 education. She will also co-present with Dr. Amanda Campbell (Bridgewater College, Virginia) as part of the regular schedule at the PHE Canada National Conference  – also in Winnipeg. This presentation is titled: Interdisciplinary education in physical education: So many possibilities!  Amanda’s third presentation will be made with co-presenters Ms. Amber Muir (PHE Canada National Office) and Dr. Jennifer Bhalla (Pacific University, Oregon). This presentation includes the background on a project related to facilitating physical activity among newcomer (immigrant) youth.  Research to practice will be shared on how to provide a culturally responsive setting in physical activity (physical education and sport).  Finally, the outline and specifics of a Facilitator’s Guide as a result of the We Belong! project will be shared.
• COMPLETED In November (2013), Amanda will present to students, faculty and staff in the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University – St. Louis. The topic of her presentation is: Build “Strength” at Home.  The focus of the presentation centers around ways in which to build physical strength away from a gym, and how this empowers us to overcome challenges that life throws our way.  Amanda has really enjoyed meeting the incredible Wellness Coordinator in the Brown School of Social Work, and looks forward to collaborating with her on future projects.
• COMPLETED  Amanda will greet physical educators from the Parkway School District early in the new year (January, 2014).  The topic of Amanda’s presentation is: Teaching Games for Understanding: It’s good pedagogy.
• COMPLETED In March (2014) Amanda will present to several corporate groups from the US Bank Community Development Corporation.  These talks are centered around how to live a health promoting life – at home, at work, and while traveling.
• COMPLETED In March (2014)Amanda will present to students from Washington University about how to have a safe and healthy spring break.  Research on at-risk behaviors and avoiding at-risk behaviors will be presented as well as tips for eating healthy, making healthy choices, and exercising safely while traveling.
• COMPLETED In April (2014), Amanda is thrilled to be accepted to speak at the 2014 AAHPERD Convention – right here, in her new hometown of St. Louis, MO. The 75 minute session is titled: Physical Literacy and Physical Education Curriculum: Programs with Purpose. Amanda is thrilled to share her experiences writing P-12 physical education curriculum with physical literacy as the foundation.
• COMPLETEDIn April (2014), Amanda’s heads to London, Ontario Canada to present at the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition Conference.  Amanda will discuss practical considerations around physical literacy and will host a workshop on physical literacy training to delegates the day following the conference.  The title of her presentation is: Understanding Physical Literacy and Supporting its Development in a Fun and Meaningful Way.
• COMPLETED In April (2014), Amanda will lead a 3-hour workshop on physical literacy to community members from the London, Ontario region including nurses, teachers, and parents.  The aim of this workshop is to help community members who work with / live with you fully understand what physical literacy is, and how it can be developed in youth.  Best practices that aid the development of the whole child will be given and practical resources will be shared.
• COMPLETED In May, Amanda is a guest panelist a the National Wrestling Coaching Association’s Coaching Summit in Edwardsville, IL.  The topic of this session is on Ethics and Sport.  Dr. Dan Gould, renown leader in sport psychology and youth sport, will be facilitating the panel.
• COMPLETED In June, Amanda will lead a series of talks for the US Bank Community Development Corporation.  These talks will be centered around how to plan for health promoting lives.  Detailed information and strategies will be shared around nutrition, physical activity, and healthy travel / vacations.
• COMPLETED In June, Amanda will speak about self-care to the amazing professionals who work at Safe Connections. Safe Connection’s vision is a world free of abuse and rape. Amanda  will speak to these hard-working and dedicated professionals at their annual meetings at the Forest Park Visitor’s Center in St. Louis.
• COMPLETED In August, Amanda travels to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to present at the National Wrestling Coaching Association.  If she doesn’t melt as a result of being in Florida in August, Amanda will co-present with her partner Jim Stanec: Advocating 101: How to communicate wrestling’s importance in the 21st century to school administration and community members.  Amanda will also co-present research findings in a session along with Dr. Jennifer Bhalla titled: Wrestling and Gender: Building a Climate Inclusive to All.  
• COMPLETED Amanda is honored to present at the inaugural NWCA leadership academy for female wrestlers’ coaches at Lock Haven University in PA on August 9th and 10th.  While in PA, Amanda will share key advocacy rationale for why growing female wrestling programs in the NCAA supports efforts to reduce the achievement gap through sport.  Amanda will also present findings from a research study that she conducted with co-researcher Dr. Jen Bhalla (@SportCanadian13) on perceptions of wrestlers (males and females) and coaches around female participation in a predominantly male sport.
• COMPLETED In August, Amanda will present at two workshops for the Parkway School District in St. Louis. One session (August 8th) will be for elementary physical education teachers and the other session (August 11th) will be for middle school physical education teachers.  Amanda is eager work with these competent and enthusiastic professionals as they gear up for the 2014-2015 academic year. Her children will attend schools in the Parkway District which makes these workshops that much more special!

Testimonials

“My staff and I were fortunate enough to be able to have Dr. Amanda Stanec come work with us during our training week as we prepared for a summer filled with fun at Cavalier Day Camp at the University of Virginia. Many of my staff were returning counselors and I was looking for a way to spice up their training, since we had the same guest speakers for a couple of years. Amanda was just the ticket! She worked with me to understand the staff and tailored her presentation to draw them in and keep them engaged, laughing and sharing ideas. The session was everything that I hoped for and more, the staff talked about ideas that Amanda shared for the entire summer, and begged me to bring her back next summer for another training session. Her second session was even better! It wasn’t a repeat of information, it was the latest and greatest ideas and research and she was as dynamic of a speaker as ever. During the course of that summer, we had a camper that my staff was struggling to incorporate into the group. I called Amanda and she talked us through some techniques to reach out to this child, and it worked. The child formed some incredible bonds with the staff and other kids and we were able to make a real impact. Amanda’s training was not only energetic, funny and engaging she was there for follow up help and really cared to help make my staff and the camp fantastic!”

Amanda Crombie
Director, Aquatic and Fitness Center, University of Virginia