Executive Bios

Amanda is in her 15th year teaching at Maple Grove Education Centre (Grades 7 & 8) Physical Education & Healthy Living.  During that time she has been a great contributor to the School Community through various roles such as, Grade 7 & 8 Pilot Teacher (Physical & Health Education), Chair of the School Success Plan: Safe Inclusive Learning Environment, MGEC Health Promoting School Co-Chair, Cheerleading Coach, Inter-School Christian Fellowship Staff Advisor, and Track & Field Staff Advisor, and stepping in whenever and wherever needed.  Amanda is happily married to her husband William and mother of twin sons. Amanda is often described as being a person with a big heart and love for others. She is a whirlwind of positivity, inclusiveness and motivation; always allowing and encouraging others to shine. Amanda got involved with TAPHE through volunteering with the 2012 PHE National Conference. She has served as TAPHE Awards Chair and is excited to be working for our Phys. Ed. & Health teachers as the new Vice-President of TAPHE.

Notable Accomplishments:

2019 Anticipated Completion of Certificate in Outdoor Education

2018 TAPHE Regional Health Education Teaching Excellence Award

2014 Education Week Award Recipient (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development)

2012 Masters of Curriculum Studies (Physical Education)

Jen McKenzie is an Elementary Physical Education Specialist and the President of TAPHE (Teachers Association of Physical and Health Educators). She grew up in Truro, Nova Scotia and enjoyed playing sports from a very early age. As the first female to play minor hockey in Nova Scotia, Jen helped set the tone for females to participate in and enjoy a male dominated sport in Nova Scotia.

Basketball became Jen’s calling, and allowed her to attend Acadia University and earn a Bachelor of Physical Education in 1991. During this time, she played varsity basketball, club hockey, volunteered with the Acadia S.M.I.L.E program and was an Academic All Canadian. After University, Jen travelled to Antwerp , Belgium and Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia, teaching and playing professional basketball.

Jen has coached basketball at all levels from Bantam to High School, and helped guide Nova Scotia to its 2nd medal ever at Canada Games in 2006. Through coaching, Jen was introduced to officiating, and with some coaxing from the very same referees who worked her games as a player and coach, she quickly moved through the ranks and is currently in her 12th year of officiating, working u10 games (soooo cute and fun) to CCAA and USport men and women, and is one of 3 women to be hired to officiate in the NBL; the Canadian Pro basketball league.

Jen lives in Dartmouth with Keith and her imaginary dog, Renzie.

Steve Ranni is currently a P-8 physical education and health teacher. He has taught for 20 years including P-12 phys ed, PAL, Fitness Leadership, and assisted with a second-year university physical education class within the past 5 years. He holds two Master’s Degrees from St. F.X. in Education Administration and Curriculum with a physical education focus.

Steve joined the TAPHE Board of Directors in 2006 and has held various positions, including President, Treasurer and Past President. He received TAPHE’s most prestigious honour, the Dorothy G. Walker Award, in 2017. In 2012, Steve Co-Chaired the PHE National Conference in Halifax. He represented Nova Scotia on PHE Canada’s CoPT for four years and is currently on PHE Canada’s At My Best Advisory Committee.

At age 18, Steve decided to start giving back to his community through coaching and teaching. He has coached over 60 school/community teams from elementary to high school in a variety of sports and activities.

Ollie Jupp has been teaching since 2005.  He started teaching internationally in England and Hong Kong before moving back to his hometown of Halifax.  He has taught Physical Education for grades primary through eight and has a Masters in Education from St. Francis Xavier University.  Ollie joined the TAPHE executive as treasurer in 2022 and looks forward to promoting physical and health education within Nova Scotian schools.  Ollie enjoys spending time outdoors with his friends and family camping, canoeing, climbing and geocaching.

Tracy is in her 18th year of teaching with the Chignecto Centre Regional Centre for Education. She has taught Physical Education for grades primary through nine and several grades in a general classroom. Tracy has completed a Masters in Education at St. Francis Xavier University as well as the Certificate in Outdoor Education program.   Tracy is currently teaching elementary Physical Education outside Truro, NS with a focus on integrating outdoor education into her program.  Tracy has coached a number of school and community based teams across a variety of sports. 

Susan is in her 24th year of teaching with the HRCE. Susan has taught both in the elementary physical education and generalist classrooms. She is in her 7th year as a TAPHE executive and has served as secretary, newsletter editor and awards committee chair. Susan has 3 Masters degrees and is always learning. She is very involved with the United DFC Soccer Club. Susan has been awarded the TAPHE Regional PE award, TAPHE Provincial PE Excellence Award, the PHE Canada National PE Excellence Award and the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Susan credits TAPHE for giving her many opportunities for growth and appreciates all of the contacts she has made and inspiring experiences she has enjoyed through TAPHE.

Kathy Marshall Cormier is in her 23rd year of  teaching with the HRCE. She has taught elementary PE in communities around Dartmouth. Kathy is in her 7th year as an executive member of TAPHE and has served TAPHE on the awards committee and as treasurer. Her current role is the Hall of Honour committee chair. Kathy has 2 masters as well as her Outdoor Education certificate. Kathy coaches soccer and hockey and remains active playing both soccer and hockey. Kathy is a great role model and TAPHE has benefited from her connections across the PE world and beyond. Kathy is an excellent teacher and committed executive member.

Kaelin Tingley is in her 14th year of teaching with the CCRCE. She has focused most of her career teaching middle school physical education and health. Kaelin was previously the Nova Scotia Board of Directors representative with PHE Canada. Kaelin has been involved with the TAPHE Executive since the inception of her career, and she is keen to continue promoting health and physical education in our province. Kaelin was the recipient of the TAPHE PETE regional award in 2012, as well as the recipient of the NSSAF Coaching Award. Kaelin enjoys attending provincial and national physical and health education conferences, and participating in leadership development opportunities.  

Laura is in her 16th year of teaching,  the last six years of which have been with the South Shore Regional Centre for Education.  Laura graduated from St Francis Xavier University with a BSc Honours Major Kinesiology, Minor Health Sciences, and was a student representative at CAHPERD Leadership Camp while completing her Bachelor of Education. Laura was on the curriculum and textbook writing team for the Phys Ed 10 launch in 2007. Recently, she completed her Certificate in Outdoor Education.  Throughout her career Laura's focus has been middle school physical education with professional targets of outdoor education, assessment practices, and technology in physical education. Laura coaches several sports at her school, and she is also a double specialist, running her school's band program.  

David MacNutt has been teaching for 11 years in the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education at the Elementary, Junior and High School level­.. David is currently teaching 7-12 Physical Education at Digby Regional High School and acts as the Athletic Director. 

David completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Degree from Dalhousie University, after which attended Acadia University to receive a Bachelor of Education Degree, and most recently completed a Masters in Leadership in Physical Education and Health from Saint Francis Xavier University. Along with teaching, David enjoys playing and coaching sports, specifically Baseball, Softball, Wrestling and Hockey. During his teaching and coaching career David has received several awards including multiple NSSAF Outstanding Service Awards, Digby Community Volunteer Award, and the 2019 TAPHE Regional Physical Education Teaching Excellence Award. 

Vikki MacLaughlin has been a teacher with the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education for 13 years primarily teaching physical education and music and is now in administration. Vikki received her Human Kinetics degree in 2008, her B.Ed. degree in 2010 and her Masters of Education in Leadership and Administration in 2018 all from St.FX. Vikki is new to the TAPHE executive but is very passionate for the advancement of health and physical education across the province. Most recently, Vikki has presented at the National Physical and Health Education Conference in 2019 in Montreal and has published a second artilce. She looks forward to continuing her work in the physical and health education field in hopes to create a happier and healthier province and beyond!

Daniel B. Robinson, PhD is an Associate Professor and Chair of Teacher Education at St. Francis Xavier University. He teaches undergraduate courses in elementary and secondary physical education curriculum and instruction. He also teaches graduate courses in current research in curriculum and instruction, administration of inclusive schools, curriculum theory, and school and teaching effectiveness. Dr. Robinson’s research focuses on physical literacy, culturally responsive physical education, gender and racialized minorities, service learning, and in-school health promotion programming. 

Dr. Robinson has been a longstanding executive member with TAPHE and also with PHE Canada (Board of Directors, Research Council Executive).

Bill Walters, Ph.D. is currently instructing in the St.FX Bachelor of Education and Master of Education programs. He came to StFX following a 33-year career teaching in Ontario public schools. Bill has also had extensive experience in teacher education with both York and Queen's University. His interests are focused on teacher education, physical education, and physical literacy. Dr. Walters has also studied pre-service teacher practicums and the role of mentorship with most recently presenting at the 2017 National Physical and Health Education conference in St.John's, Newfoundland.