06 _Standards-Based Teaching with Victor Spadaro

You see the high-energy dance routines, engaging instant activities, and viral social media clips—but what actually happens behind the scenes in Victor Spadaro’s gym? In this episode, host Dexter Pendergraft sits down with physical educator, OPEN National Trainer, and Chief Movement Officer Victor Spadaro to pull back the curtain on how he manages, structures, and teaches classes of up to 65 students across Pre-K through 5th grade. Victor breaks down how he flips traditional lesson planning on its head by leveraging standards-based teaching and backwards design. Instead of asking "What cool game are we playing today?", Victor walks us through how essential standards dictate everything from daily learning targets and micro-assessments to seamless class flow. In this episode, we unpack: • A Day in the Life: Victor’s full daily schedule, morning routine, co-teaching dynamics, and managing high-volume classes. • Flipping the Script on Planning: How to transition from activity-first teaching to intentional, standards-driven unit architecture. • Logistics on the Gym Floor: Implementing Plickers, exit slips, and quick skill demonstrations with dozens of kids without losing instructional momentum. • Minimizing Downtime: Structuring 1–2 minute micro-lessons, fitness focuses, and mindful transitions to maximize physical activity. • Practical Steps for Tomorrow: How to avoid overwhelm by focusing on one essential outcome at a time. Whether you're looking to streamline your lesson transitions, elevate your assessment game, or build a bulletproof standards-aligned curriculum, this conversation provides the exact blueprint you need. Connect with Victor Spadaro: • Facebook: Victor Spadaro (https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESY...) • X / Twitter: @jrv4victory (https://x.com/JrV4Victory) • Spotify / Apple Music Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31wb6cq... Resources & Links Mentioned: • The PE Standard: Check out teaching tools, curriculum guides, and resources at thepestandard.com (https://thepestandard.com) .