An 18-year educator, Kennedra Tucker was recognized as the 2018 SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Education) Maryland Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year (TOY). She is a former Nationally Board-Certified Teacher, having certified in

Early/Middle Childhood Physical Education in 2017. In 2010, she was awarded the MAHPERD (Maryland Association of Health & Physical Education, Recreation & Dance) Simon McNeely Award for dedicated service to physical education. Kennedra served as the

President of MAHPERD, now SHAPE MD, from 2017-2018. As President-Elect of MAHPERD, she organized “Spring Fling”, a professional development conference series across college/university campuses for health and physical education majors in Maryland.

She started the SHAPE America EDI Podcast and served as its committee chair from 2020 to 2024. Since 2018, she has contributed to multiple platforms (podcasts, Twitter chats, conferences and webinars) to discuss cultural responsiveness, equity, and social justice in health and physical education. 

In her free time, Kennedra enjoys spending time with family,

studying real estate, and writing for Port of Harlem magazine. She is currently a doctoral candidate, pursuing her EdD in School System Leadership at the University of Maryland, College Park. Additionally, Kennedra is a fitness instructor and enjoys teaching dance

fitness, cardio kickboxing, and Aqua Zumba. She believes that “Physical Education and Health Education gives all students the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to

maintain and enjoy a lifetime of health and wellness.”