Ian Lacasse
- Health & Physical Education Teacher
- Madison West High School – WI
- 19 Years of Experience
- PLT4M Certified Educator
About Ian
Ian is a Health and Physical Education teacher at Madison West High School with 19 years of experience. He is actively involved in leadership and collaboration to improve health and physical education, serving as the WHPE Southeast District Coordinator, SHAPE Midwest President-Elect, and Co-Coordinator of the Best Practices in Health & PE Conference.
Ian is committed to implementing Skills-Based Health Education and Meaningful PE to help students build lifelong physical literacy and wellness habits.
Ian’s Approach & Insights
Ian shared his philosophy, approach, and how PLT4M plays a role in his program. Here’s what he had to say:
Goals & Mission
“My goal is to help students become capable, self-directed decision-makers and health advocates who can apply what they learn beyond the classroom.
In health, I use a skills-based approach anchored in the national standards — building real competencies around communication, decision-making, and advocacy rather than just conveying information.
In PE, I’m guided by the Meaningful PE framework and focus on creating experiences where students find personal relevance, social connection, challenge, and joy in movement.”
How I Use PLT4M
“In our 9th grade Foundations course, students get into the weight room at least once every two weeks, where PLT4M instructional videos introduce foundational human movements like the squat, lunge, and hinge.
In Weight Training 1 & 2, students progress from foundational skills and safety all the way to designing and building their own workout plans, with the goal of becoming confident and capable in any gym or fitness center.
In Personal Fitness, PLT4M supports a broader range of fitness options beyond the weight room — yoga, pilates, circuit training, and more — helping mirror the diverse fitness landscape students will encounter outside of school.”
Why I Use PLT4M
“PLT4M helps students find meaning in movement — not just during class, but beyond it.
From instructional videos on foundational movements to workout tracking and eventually student-designed programs, it builds the confidence and independence for students to walk into any gym or fitness center and know what they’re doing.
It spans weightlifting, health resources, games and activities, and that versatility supports a program centered around lifelong physical literacy.”
Impact on My Program
“PLT4M helps us avoid forcing students into one narrow direction for physical activity.
It gives students exposure to a wide range of movement options and helps them connect physical activity to something beyond school.
Students being able to track progress, log workouts, and eventually design their own programs gives them ownership and independence.
Early exposure in 9th grade has also helped make fitness and weightlifting electives more accessible and popular for students.”
Favorite Feature
“My favorite feature in PLT4M is the ability for students to design and log their own workouts.
That’s where everything comes together — students aren’t just following a program anymore, they’re building one. That independence and ownership is exactly what we’re after.”
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