The Power of Connection: Meet Maria Melchionda, MAHPERDS Executive Director

MAHPERD "Voices From The field"

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In this illuminating conversation with Maria Melchionda, a 40-year veteran educator and executive director of MAHPERD, we explore the difference between qualified instruction and common misconceptions in the field.
Maria shares her journey from student to leader, revealing how a professor's simple invitation to join a professional organization set her on an unexpected path to leadership. With warmth and wisdom, she articulates why face-to-face professional connections remain irreplaceable in our digital era: "You cannot understand another human being without seeing social cues, without sitting down and having that eye contact or a handshake." This philosophy underpins MAHPERDS s approach to professional development and community building.
Throughout our discussion, Maria addresses persistent myths about physical education, offering a compelling analogy that resonates with parents and stakeholders alike: "You don't want a plumber as your child's physician." This straightforward comparison effectively illustrates why specialized training matters in health and physical education. Beyond advocacy, Maria details MAHPERDS extensive partnership network spanning approximately 17 organizations and explains how their regional advocacy structure ensures outreach to all corners of Massachusetts.
For educators at any career stage, Maria's message is clear and encouraging: "Everyone has something to give." She emphasizes that joining professional organizations isn't just about receiving resources—it's about discovering your unique contributions to a community dedicated to improving student health and wellbeing.
This conversation offers insights on professional growth, advocacy, and the enduring importance of human connection. Subscribe to Voices from the Field to hear more perspectives from educators making a difference in health and physical education.

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1. The Power of Connection: Meet Maria Melchionda, MAHPERDS Executive Director (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Maria Melchionda (00:00:29)

3. Maria's Role as Executive Director (00:03:13)

4. Common Misconceptions in Health Education (00:05:58)

5. Teaching at Bridgewater State University (00:12:33)

6. Building Coalition Partnerships (00:15:22)

7. The MAHPERD Advocacy Network (00:20:06)

8. Getting Involved with MAHPERD (00:23:06)

9. Connecting with MAHPERD Resources (00:31:19)