Faculty Spotlight: A Look at Baldwin’s Physical Education Faculty

At Baldwin, athletics and physical education are far more than just extracurricular activities — they are a vital part of our students’ education and growth. Whether scoring a winning goal or mastering a new skill, Baldwin students are encouraged to build grit, stamina, perseverance and sportsmanship. With 16 competitive sports programs, state-of-the-art facilities including a collegiate-level swimming pool and membership in the Inter-Academic Athletic League and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association, Baldwin offers student-athletes endless opportunities to grow, compete and lead. Athletics are integrated into the broader curriculum to help students discover their strengths both on and off the field.

 

Our Athletics and Physical Education program emphasizes holistic development, balancing physical skill-building with mental well-being. Physical education begins at Baldwin with our youngest Bears and our Learn to Swim Program, where the students participate in weekly lessons during the school year and periodic exhibitions where they display their skills to family and friends. As they grow, students explore the science and art behind athletic performance while learning life-long lessons in leadership, teamwork and resilience. Through a wide variety of activities, including personal fitness and yoga, our PE curriculum supports cardiovascular health, strength training and mindfulness. Health and Wellness courses further deepen students’ understanding of topics like nutrition, body image, sleep, mental health and healthy relationships, preparing them for lifelong wellness. At Baldwin, we believe that sports and movement are essential to nurturing confident, well-rounded individuals, and we are proud to spotlight the educators who lead this transformative work.

 

Meg Glascott-Birch, Director of Athletics

Eastern University - MEd
The Ohio State University - BS

 

Meg Glascott-Birch, Director of Athletics at Baldwin, finds deep fulfillment in witnessing the growth and transformation of students through sports. “The confidence, strength and camaraderie they develop genuinely inspire,” she shared. For her, one of the most powerful aspects of leading athletics in an all-girls environment is seeing students discover their voices and push past perceived limitations. Whether it's a young child learning the basics of movement or a senior leading her team, Meg sees joy in every stage of development. “The joy comes from seeing our students support each other, grow together and take pride in their individual and collective accomplishments,” she said.

 

Her leadership emphasizes grit, leadership and mental resilience across all grade levels. “We actively teach life skills through sport,” she explained, highlighting how students are encouraged to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks and take ownership of their growth. Leadership is fostered at every level — through team roles, decision-making and advocacy. She described Baldwin’s athletics program as developmentally responsive, meeting students where they are while progressively increasing expectations as they advance. “We provide the right mix of challenge and support,” she said, noting the importance of both physical and mental growth. “Our ultimate goal is to empower every Baldwin student to feel strong in their body, confident in their abilities and ready to lead.”

 

 

Physical Education Department Chair, Physical Education Teacher

St Joseph’s University - MS

Willam Woods University – BA

 

As the Physical Education Department Chair at Baldwin, Elizabeth (Betsy) Cast brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role, teaching Lower School PE and Swim as well as Upper School Health and Wellness. What brings her the most joy is the strong sense of community that surrounds her every day. “Students feel safe and heard here,” she said, “and I think that helps them to open up to teachers more and show more sides of themselves.” For Cast, watching students grow into their authentic selves and witnessing their development through shared experiences is especially rewarding.

 

Cast believes that physical education and sports provide a unique platform for building essential life skills like grit, perseverance and leadership. “You face adversity, competition, discomfort, emotion and so much more,” she explained. By standing beside students through both their struggles and successes, she fosters an environment of growth and resilience. She emphasizes that it's important to allow students to feel discomfort in order to help them grow stronger and more confident. “It’s our duty to learn about and know our students well enough to see where they can be challenged,” she noted. Through inclusive class activities, Cast ensures that each student has the chance to lead, follow and collaborate — developing not just physical skills but also the emotional and mental resilience that will serve them throughout life.

 

 

Assistant Athletics Director

Drury University - MEd

University of Richmond - BA

 

As Assistant Director of Athletics, Head Coach for Varsity Soccer and Middle School Basketball, and Class of 2027 Advisor, Adrian Cox plays a dynamic role in Baldwin’s athletic and school community. “Athletics is a big part of my identity,” Cox shared. “I enjoy sharing my passion for athletics and leadership with the entire school community.” For him, the greatest joy comes from building meaningful relationships across all school divisions and watching student-athletes grow both on and off the field. His involvement allows him to connect deeply with students, faculty, staff and families, creating a unified and spirited environment where student development is always the focus.

 

Adrian is also the founder of the B.L.A.S.T. (Building Leadership And Supporting Teams) Club, a leadership initiative for Middle and Upper School student-athletes. “We have great conversations about topics such as the role of a captain, mental health, goal setting, college recruiting and overcoming adversity,” he said. These weekly meetings help students build resilience and confidence while fostering a sense of community and support. At every level, Adrian ensures that students are appropriately challenged by designing age- and skill-specific practice plans that promote both physical and emotional growth. “We offer multiple teams at the Middle and Upper School level,” he explained, “and our coaches do a great job of placing athletes in the right environment to thrive.” From Lower School clinics to Upper School competition, Adrian is dedicated to nurturing student potential and encouraging lifelong engagement in athletics. He also believes Homecoming Weekend is a great time for our community to come together and show school spirit around athletics. “They love our school cheers and proudly give a "Claws Up!" he said.

 

 

Director of Aquatics

Auburn University - BA

 

David Hart serves as Baldwin’s Director of Aquatics and Head Upper School Swim Coach, as well as an instructor for Lower School swimming. For David, the most fulfilling aspect of his work is witnessing students overcome initial fears and develop independence in the water. “What brings me joy is when the light comes on for a student that had been challenged with swimming ability, then starts to swim independently,” he explained. This transformation is especially meaningful, as swimming is both a life skill and a path to personal growth — something he sees in students of all ages.

 

In his work with the Upper School swim team, Hart emphasizes leadership and perseverance, expecting each athlete to embrace responsibility regardless of grade level. “They are challenged to swim almost every event in a swim meet, including the distance events,” he said. His approach to student growth is rooted in careful evaluation and empathy, ensuring that each swimmer is pushed appropriately. “Before we challenge the students, we carefully evaluate each one and listen to their goals, their concerns and maybe even their fears,” David shared. This thoughtful strategy not only supports physical development but also addresses the mental and emotional aspects of athletic progress, all while prioritizing safety in the water.

 

 

Strength and Conditioning Head Coach

Pennsylvania State University - BS

 

My role as the Baldwin Strength and Conditioning Coach is to teach, motivate and inspire our Middle and Upper School student athletes to test their limits and strive for greater personal and team growth. We work on fitness pillars including speed, strength, flexibility, injury prevention and mental fortitude. I enjoy watching every student find their path through physical fitness. When our student athletes enter our fitness center my goal is to create a positive culture and space where everyone feels they can grow and accomplish new goals. By the utilization of individualized software, standardized testing and personal goal setting every student has the ability to work towards creating progressive outcomes.

 

 

Physical Education Teacher

University of Delaware – BS

 

Patricia Landau-Smith teaches swimming to Baldwin students from Pre-K through Grade 5 and plays a key coaching role on both the Middle and Upper School swim teams. She finds her greatest joy in the collaborative spirit of the Baldwin faculty, especially within the Physical Education Department. “We bring out the strengths in each other, collaborating on projects, adding new creative elements to seasoned lessons,” she said. Patricia is deeply passionate about teaching the life skill of swimming, especially to young students who may initially be nervous. “It brings me great joy when that child jumps into the pool independently swimming to the wall without concern,” she shared, adding that one of the most rewarding moments is preparing students to safely and confidently enjoy swimming during the summer.

 

In her coaching roles, Patricia emphasizes both individual growth and team unity. Whether working with seasoned Middle School swimmers or those new to competition, she ensures that every athlete has an opportunity to contribute and improve. “Swimming is both a team and an individual sport … everyone is important,” she noted. This philosophy carries into the Upper School team, where students with varying goals — from collegiate competition to recreational fitness — support each other with remarkable camaraderie. “No one wants to let down the relay team. Sometimes I am amazed at how deep they dig to swim their best,” she said. Patricia also highlights the value of differentiated training, ensuring swimmers are grouped appropriately while being challenged to build both skill and grit.

 

 

Physical Education Teacher

Moore College of Art and Design - MA

Elizabethtown College - BA

 

Kate Leibrand serves Baldwin as a Physical Education teacher and coach across all divisions, teaching Lower School PE and Swimming, Middle and Upper School PE, as well as Upper School Strength & Conditioning. She also coaches the school’s Cross Country, Indoor Track and Spring Track teams. What brings her the most joy in her role is witnessing students’ “little moments of happiness and success” when they finally master a new technique or skill. “Their happiness is contagious,” Kate shared, highlighting the excitement she feels when students experience personal breakthroughs in their physical education journey.

 

In her teaching and coaching, Kate focuses on using movement as a way to build resilience, problem-solving skills and confidence. “I use physical education as a space to help all students — not just athletes — build grit and perseverance,” she explained. When students face frustration or struggle with learning a skill, she breaks tasks into manageable steps to show that persistence pays off. “Struggling is a necessary part of the process,” she said, “and there are always other options besides giving up.” By building strong relationships and understanding students’ individual needs and interests, Kate ensures each student is both supported and challenged. Her approach fosters a classroom culture where students are encouraged to take risks, stay engaged and grow — physically and mentally.

 

 

Physical Education Teacher

University of Denver - BA

 

Elsie Pitocchelli brings enthusiasm and dedication to her role as a Physical Education teacher at Baldwin, where she teaches students across all three divisions. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she serves as an Upper School advisor and coaches both Middle School Tennis and Squash. What brings her the greatest joy is watching Baldwin students grow from curious, energetic children into confident, accomplished young adults. “I love being able to work with our youngest Bears and then see them grow into amazing young people,” she said. She also treasures her work with the senior class during Commencement, calling it “a special time to celebrate traditions and share meaningful moments before they leave Baldwin.” Elsie credits her students with making her “a better teacher every day.”

 

In both the gym and on the court, Elsie is intentional about helping students build grit, leadership and perseverance. “I like to challenge our students to take risks and overcome their fears of failure,” she explained. Her lessons and drills are designed to support students as they push themselves and experience the satisfaction of achieving their goals — whether that’s mastering a new skill or winning a match against a tough opponent. To keep students physically and mentally engaged, Elsie continually seeks out new activities and ideas, collaborates with her colleagues and tailors lessons to meet each learner’s needs. “We always try to make activities fun and exciting,” she said. “At Baldwin, we have a great opportunity to know our students as individuals and craft activities and games that meet their needs.”

 

 

Assistant Athletic Director for Health & Wellness and Athletic Trainer

Mississippi State University - MS

James Madison University - BS

 

Kerrie Snead serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Health & Wellness and is Baldwin’s certified athletic trainer. She supports the Upper School health and physical education programs and is responsible for developing the health and wellness curriculum for both the Lower and Upper Schools. What brings her the most joy, she explains, “is the relationships I am able to develop with students.” For Kerrie, those connections are at the heart of her work, allowing her to guide students through both their physical and personal growth.

 

In her role, Kerrie emphasizes the importance of physical education and sports as a foundation for building essential life skills like grit, perseverance and leadership. “PE and sports are the ideal place to develop life skills,” she said, noting that she strives to “foster a safe and supportive environment so students feel they can be their authentic self.” She also supports students in learning from adversity, whether it’s coping with injuries, navigating difficult team dynamics or overcoming performance struggles. When it comes to challenges, Kerrie believes Baldwin’s student-centered approach makes all the difference: “We are always student-centered and face each activity or sport with a growth mindset,” ensuring every student has the right opportunities to succeed physically and mentally.

 

 

Physical Education Teacher

Eastern University - MEd

Auburn University - BA

 

Tracy Tooke is a Physical Education teacher and the Varsity Tennis Coach at Baldwin. She finds great joy in working with the diverse personalities of her students, saying, “I love being part of their struggles and successes.” For Tracy, the variety and individuality of each student bring meaning and excitement to her teaching every day.

 

In supporting students’ development of grit, perseverance and leadership, Tracy focuses on creating an environment that “supports risk-taking and challenges, balanced with success and positive reinforcement.” She ensures that every student, from Pre-K through Grade 12, is appropriately challenged by using differentiated instruction and collaborating closely with colleagues. She also incorporates a mix of traditional sports, skills and creative nontraditional games and competitions to provide varied opportunities for physical and mental growth.