We want to extend a welcome to Dr. Ben Miedema as the new Education Associate for Physical Education and Health at the SC Department of Education. Ben will also serve as non-voting member of the SCAHPERD Board. He is not new to SC as he served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina for the past 3 years. Ben earned his Ph.D. in Kinesiology-PETE from Auburn, MS in Secondary Education from Cal State Fullerton and BS in Kinesiology-Pedagogy Adapted Physical Education (APE) from Cal Poly, Pomona.  He taught APE in Southern California for 8 years, also teaching middle and high school physical education. Ben (and Dr. Sally Taunton Miedema) were instrumental in adding the “Adapted Physical Education Suggestions” in the new South Carolina Physical Education Standard (2021), a great addition to the SC Standards. Ben is married to Sally who teaches at the University of South Carolina as a Clinical Assistant Professor. They have three children, Lucas, Scarlett and Lucy.

Congratulations on your new position Ben, and welcome to the SCAHPERD Board!  We are looking forward to working with you as we seek to provide quality physical education and health programs for all SC students!

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