Artie Kamiya
Artie Kamiya was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Overweight as an elementary
school child, he was often subjected to many of the negative aspects of traditional physical
education (i.e., being selected last for teams, not doing well in relays, etc.). However, he was
fortunate to have been encouraged through a strong junior high physical education program and
slowly became interested in the sport of gymnastics. He competed in high school, collegiate level
(Los Angeles City College, Cal State LA), and at the 1972 National NCAA Gymnastics
Championships on the rings.
Upon receiving a Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) degree from the University of North
Carolina, he worked as an elementary physical education teacher for Wake County Public
Schools (Raleigh, NC). While in this position, he was able to become involved in curriculum
writing, presenting, and other leadership activities. In 1983, he was hired by the North Carolina
Department of Public Instruction as a Physical Education Consultant. In 1996, he was promoted
to the Section Chief for Arts and Healthful Living. In this position, he directed a cadre of 11
professionals representing the Arts (Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Theatre Arts) and Healthful
Living (Health, Physical Education, Athletics, Driver Education). From 2001-2005, he was the
Senior Administrator for K-12 Healthful Living Education for Wake County Schools. He was
recognized in 2004 as the National Physical Education Administrator of the Year.
Kamiya has been called one of the "nation's leading experts for K-12 health and physical
education." He is the President & Founder of the Great Activities Publishing Company, a
company known for their innovative K-12 PE publications, services, and workshops. His work
has appeared on numerous ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox TV affiliates, as well as on National
Public Radio and in USA Today.
He retired from public service in 2005, but continued to follow his passion as a health and
physical education advocate through his work within the Great Activities Publishing Company.
He was recognized by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education as the 2007
"Joy of Effort" Award winner. He and his family live in Durham, North Carolina.
Society of Health and Physical Educators
Platform Statement - Board of Directors
Artie Kamiya
Great Activities Publishing Company, Inc.
President and Founder
What personal qualities and professional skills would you bring that will serve the mission of SHAPE
America?
The personal qualities and professional skills that I would bring to serve the mission of SHAPE America
include the following:
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Thoughtful Leadership
Mission Focused
Innovation and Service
First and foremost, I view myself as a physical education teacher. While I have had opportunities to
work at a variety of different levels within/without the public school arena, I have never forgotten my
roots. I am continuously asking myself questions such as "How will this benefit children?," or "What are
the implications of this decision on our grassroots health and physical education teachers?"
What leadership skills and other strengths do you have that will enhance your responsibilities as
a director?
Networking Skills: As a former district- and state-level health and physical education administrator, I
have had opportunities to interact with my fellow colleagues across the United States. For example, it is
fairly common to be able to identify numerous folks in H/PE leadership positions when being introduced to
a new client or individual based on past relationships in a specific district or state.
Social Media Expertise: I have a passion and keen interest in technology and innovation. I am currently
active on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedln, Google+, Pinterest, etc. The power of the Internet is and will be
the primary platform for innovation and change. We must continue to offer more for SHAPE America
members and non-members using this technology. For example, I love how Oregon SHAPE and the folks
from PHYSedagogy (http://physedagogy.com) are using social media to connect with teachers. The
#PhysEdSummit is a great professional outreach project that we need to model and encourage.
Grassroots Perspective: As mentioned previously, my perspective is one of an elementary physical
education teacher. This grassroots perspective continues to guide and manage my efforts.
Business Professional: I have been fortunate to be successful in the educational business world. For over
30 years, our company has provided products and services to physical educators across the United States.
These products (i.e., Great Activities Newspaper, Field Day Survival Guide) and services (i.e., State
Standards Workshops, National PE Institute) have allowed me to keep in close contact with PE teachers
and the day-to-day concerns they are facing.
What credentials or expertise do you have as it relates to one or more areas of SHAPE America's
mission? Please include any potential outside financial resources, new ideas or initiatives that you
would suggest as a director.
SHAPE'S mission is "to advance professional practice and promote research
related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance, and sport."
My public school professional experiences directly relate to SHAPE America's overall mission. For
example, I have been responsible for leadership development at the district and state levels related to
professional practice for K-12 health education, physical education, dance education, and sport/athletics.
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At the district level, my responsibilities were focused on curriculum development, professional
development, and policy change for Health and Physical Education.
At the state level, I was the Section Chief working with full-time content area specialists for K-12
Health Education and Safety, PE and Middle School Athletics, Music and Dance Education.
Within the educational business world, we have been successful in providing advancements in
professional practice (i.e., PE State Standards Workshops, Virtual PE Administrator, National PE
Institute, Teaching and Assessing PE Power Standards). Additionally, I have extensive experience
in writing health education materials as well. For example, I was the primary author of Connect
with Kids' K-12 health education online video modules. These documentary-style health education
lessons have been well-received by K-12 health educators across the country.
Increasing Internal Resources: If selected and elected, I would like SHAPE America to focus on
increasing individual State SHAPE membership as a #1 priority. More State SHAPE members will
lead to increased JRFH/HFH revenue, greater affinity for SHAPE America by State SHAPEs, and
increased SHAPE America membership and participation. I have numerous ideas for growing State
SHAPE membership based on our company's successful marketing.
Increasing External Resources: SHAPE America must become a champion of social change and
cause-oriented. I am convinced this is the next step we need to take in order to demonstrate to
external funders (i.e., Robert Wood Johnson, Gates Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation) the many
benefits of physical education as a cause. Please view Dr. Baker Harrell's keynote from the 2014
National PE Institute as time permits. I would also be interested in assisting SHAPE to partner with
targeted State SHAPEs and high-need school districts in future grant opportunities.