MEET THE OPEN STAFF
OPEN runs off the energy and passion of the OPEN National Training Team and over 100,000 OPEN members. These teammates are tasked with harnessing that powerful energy and helping it come alive through outcomes-driven curriculum resources and a calendar full of professional development experiences. With over 100 years of combined experience as members of the physical education community, the team wakes up every day and works hard to elevate the experience for millions of students and thousands of teachers.
Aaron Hart
Aaron is the Executive Director of OPEN and the Vice President of Curriculum and Program Engagement for Varsity Brands. He has authored nationally recognized publications and is the author of the Varsity Brands Believe In You SEL Student Empowerment program. Aaron’s passion for equity of access and community empowerment began over 25 years ago and has continued to guide his professional journey. He began his teaching career as a New York City public school teacher and is currently a part-time faculty member in SUNY Cortland’s Physical Education Department. The vision for OPEN began as a crazy plan created by Aaron and his long-time friend, Nick Kline. BSN SPORTS believed that vision was the right thing to do for teachers and for the kids they serve. Aaron joined the BSN SPORTS family in 2014 and the OPEN movement was born.
Nichole Wilder
Nichole Wilder is an OPEN National Trainer with over 25 years of experience in physical education. She joined the team full-time in 2021 as OPEN’s Curriculum and Content Development Manager. Before beginning her current role with OPEN, Nichole taught elementary physical education in Florida and served as the state-level Physical Education Director at the Florida Department of Education. In 2008-2009, she led a committee of national and state-level experts through a complete revision of Florida’s Physical Education Standards. Nichole has served on the SHAPE Florida Board of Directors for the last 15 years, receiving a Presidential Award in 2012 and the Peter Everett Honor Award in 2013, the organization’s highest honor.
Brian Devore
Before accepting his role as Professional Development Manager for OPEN, Brian Devore had over 25 years of exemplary teaching experience at the middle and elementary levels. Additionally, he supervised online HPE programs for the Cobb County school district and served as Fulton County Schools Health and Physical Education Coordinator. In 2013-14, Brian was named Cobb County’s Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Georgia AHPERD’s Elementary PE TOY, and Southern District SHAPE America Elementary PE TOY. Most recently, he was the recipient of the first OPEN National Trainer Impact Award for his service and dedication to OPEN. In 2005, Devore was named Georgia’s Middle School PE Teacher of the Year. Along with his current position, Brian is a two-time Georgia AHPERD President, Georgia AHPERD’s Social Media Director/Webmaster, OPEN National Trainer, and SHAPE America Southern District Past President.
Kurt Stone
Kurt Stone has been a member of the physical education community for more than 25 years and has managed some of the most impactful teams in the industry. Kurt is currently the Category Director for BSN SPORTS Physical Education, which includes US GAMES and OPEN.
OPEN DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
In 2014, Aaron Hart and Kurt Stone asked 7 incredible educators and administrators to help build the blueprint for what would become the world’s first outcomes-driven, evidence-informed, FREE curriculum project. The mission was simple – equity of access for every school in the world. Each member of this team provided incredible experience, insight and passion as foundational curriculum resources were built and OPEN’s professional development experiences began to take shape.
Nearly a decade later, OPEN’s equity impact has reached over 150,000 educators and 79 million students worldwide. This incredible public service provided by US GAMES and BSN SPORTS has reached a value of more than $90 million over 9 years.
Aaron Hart
Aaron Hart, Executive Director
Artie Kamiya
President, Great Activities & Founder, Co-Chair National PE Institute
Artie is currently the executive director of NC SHAPE. HE was formerly a Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, responsible for directing the state’s K-12 health and physical education programs. He is the author/editor of over 20 different publications, including the Great Activities Newspaper, the Elementary Teachers Handbook of Indoor and Outdoor Games, Academic Activities for Gifted and Motivated Elementary Students, and the Gym Dandies Series. Artie has presented over 200 workshops in 37 different states. He is also the recipient of two Carol M. White PEP Grants ($493,000 in 2003 and $1.3 million in 2004) and was recognized as the 2004 National Physical Education Administrator of the Year. He is also the founder of the National PE Institute.
Learn more about Artie at www.greatactivitiesonline.com.
Helena Baert
Helena Baert, Assistant Professor, SUNY Cortland Physical Education
Dr. Helena Baert is a passionate pedagogy professor within the physical education department at SUNY Cortland. Helena has degrees from Belgium, Canada and the United States with knowledge and experience in physical education, educational technology, health, elementary PE, outdoor education, and recreation. Currently, Helena advocates for quality developmental lessons infused with technology to enhance learning, movement, and effective teaching.
Learn more about Helena at www.itsnotaboutthetool.com.
Jim Deline
Jim DeLine, PE Teacher, Highland Park Elementary
Joey Feith
Joey Feith, Founder, ThePhysicalEducator.com
Joey Feith is the founder of ThePhysicalEducator.com and currently lives in Nova Scotia with his growing family. He was the recipient of Physical and Health Education Canada’s Dr. Andy Anderson Young Professional Award for the province of Quebec and was a finalist in the 6th Annual Shorty Awards for social media. Joey believes every child should have access to a world class physical education experience and has presented his ideas at local, provincial, national and international levels. He has devoted thousands of hours teaching, blogging and developing a site that inspires fellow physical educators.
Learn more about Joey at www.thephysicaleducator.com.
Lori Dunn
Lori Dunn, K-12 Physical Education Program Manager, Seattle Public Schools
Before joining the Seattle Public Schools, Lori taught Physical Education for 23 years. In 2006 she was selected as the NASPE National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Lori is a Past President of Washington and the Northwest District AAHPERD, and has served on many other committees for AAHPERD. Her professional interests are in teaching, curriculum development and advocating for quality programs.
Nick Kline
Nick Kline, Active Schools Manager
Nick Kline embraces the opportunity to be an advocate for physical education. Nick is a National Board Certified teacher and taught physical education for ten years. He continues his role as an educator at SUNY Cortland as a lecturer. He works closely with OPEN as both a National Trainer and member of the Development Council. Most recently Nick became the Active Schools National Manager, where he supports comprehensive physical activity.
Eric Stern
Eric Stern, Physical and Health Education Administrator, Palm Beach County Schools
Eric Stern has been a teacher, adjunct lecturer, Assistant Principal and a Curriculum Administrator for the New York City Public School system and for the School District of Palm Beach County. Since 2007, Eric has energized the teachers and students of the School District of Palm Beach County as the curriculum administrator for physical, health and driver education. Eric served as the president for the Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sports (FAHPERDS) and as the president for the Florida Council of District Administrators (CODA).
In 2009, Eric received the National Action for Healthy Kids, Healthy Heroes award, being recognized by his peers as a leader in supporting health and wellness for children. Over the past six years, he has written and received over ten million dollars in federal and local grants to support physical education, nutrition and health with the primary focus on childhood obesity. Most recently, Eric was selected as one of twelve leading educators by the Center for Disease Controls (CDC) to craft national physical education policy and Eric was also selected as one of ten leading educators by National Action for Healthy Kids as a member of the Urban Wellness Council.