Category Archives: Teaching

On October 21, 2019, reporter Grace Griffaton and her videographer from WPMT FOX43-TV came to campus to observe and learn what first-year college students think about legalizing adult use marijuana in Pennsylvania.  Below is the transcript from the FOX43-TV news … Continue reading →

Participation at the 2018 graduate commencement  with M.Ed. in Sport Management faculty and grads.

In January 2018 I met with Kylee Lorio, a high school student from Donegal High School.  Kylee was referred to me by two former graduate students of mine: Sara Fraizer and Gretchen Colwell (both of whom are Kylee’s teachers at … Continue reading →

Celebrating Families! is a 16-week evidence-based family education program designed for families in which one or both parents are in early stages of recovery from substance addiction.  This program is used to achieve three primary goals: break the cycle of … Continue reading →

Participating in 2016 graduate commencement  with M.Ed. in Sport Management faculty and grads.

Cost of Freedom Forum is a special lecture series and Veterans’ Day celebration that I conceptualized and have coordinated for the past several years.  The main purpose of the forum is to address important health and wellness topics faced by … Continue reading →

During the spring semester 2015, I was invited to redevelop and teach a special section of my WELL 175 course reserved for Music majors and Music-Business Technology majors.  The primary focus for the redesign was to meet specific needs outlined … Continue reading →

On March 3, 2015 I was invited by the Resident Assistant of Hull Hall (which was formerly located on the south side of the Millersville University campus before being torn down) to discuss the problem of negative body image with … Continue reading →

Active learning is a term used to describe teaching methodologies designed to promote a deeper form of learning than when compared to hearing a lecture. Active learning provides students with an opportunity to develop reflective understanding of course material by … Continue reading →

As part of an important unit on the management and care of the downed-athlete, I arranged for two EMTs from Lancaster Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Association to come to campus so that I could best address several learning objectives with … Continue reading →

As part of my Wellness 175 course, I devote a classroom period to what I call “Theatre Day.”  This learning activity is designed to foster student imagination and creativity through classroom role play.  It is based loosely on the concept … Continue reading →

One of the lessons that I teach for the course titled WELL 175-Wellness: Concepts for Health and Fitness is on the topic of cancer. The lesson is divided over two class periods and involves several active learning strategies.  First, I … Continue reading →

Over  the past several semesters I have been conducting a lesson on introductory yoga practices.  Termed a fitness lab, the lesson was first conceptualized from course evaluation feedback and changing student-needs. The primary purpose of the lesson is to increase … Continue reading →

Several studies suggest that stress reduction techniques such as meditation and guided imagery can improve health and well being.  Unfortunately, many people don’t take the time to decompress or unplug from our increasingly complex and interconnected world, but rather often … Continue reading →

For the past 10 years, I have arranged for the students in my WELL 175-Wellness: Concepts for Health and Fitness course to participate in a walking field trip across campus to meet with the licensed psychologists from the MU Counseling … Continue reading →

Fatal Vision Goggles are prevention tools used to educate students about the consequences of alcohol misuse and abuse.  The goggles use special lens technology that allows the wearer to experience a realistic simulation of impairment. In my WELL 175 courses, … Continue reading →

Instructional scaffolding is an educational philosophy that means building upon prior knowledge.  Just like the foundation of a house, students also need a mastery of core concepts before advancing to more difficult lessons. In a series of lessons I teach, … Continue reading →

On March 27, 2013, the students enrolled in my WSSD 390 course, prepared and presented an educational symposium.  The theme for their event was the prevention and treatment of fitness injuries.  In addition to this content, strategies for the care of … Continue reading →

Implemented Behavioral Change contracts help students set and achieve new goals. The use of contracts is an effective tool that helps create a positive learning experience for students. When individuals commit in writing to something that they hope to accomplish, … Continue reading →

From time to time students will ask the question: Hey professor; Why Wellness?  In other words, they want to know why MU requires a wellness course for first-year students? One of my many replies to this question usually includes: Why … Continue reading →

Anticipatory sets are brief activities at the beginning of a class lesson that effectively engages students’ attention and focuses their thoughts on the learning objectives at hand.  I have found anticipatory sets useful not only in activating background knowledge from … Continue reading →

This role-play demonstration is designed to show students how negative thoughts can become barriers to personal health and well-being.  In this stimulating (but simple) instructional activity students begin to conceptualize what it might mean to carry “baggage” from their past … Continue reading →

Oral discourse can be highly effective for increasing student engagement. By intentionally putting students in dialogue with each other using small learning groups, I have been able to strengthen the classroom community and more freely move about the educational space … Continue reading →

In early January 2013 I had a wonderful opportunity to attend the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers’ Society (PBATS) annual educational symposium titled: Baseball Medicine Conference.  The 2013 meeting was hosted by the Baltimore Orioles athletic trainers and held at Orioles … Continue reading →

One of the assignments I use to gauge student opinions of my teaching in addition to standardized student evaluations is what I call a Critical Reflection Essay. Typically, standardized student evaluations are given out with about 4 weeks remaining in … Continue reading →

I have taught numerous blended and online courses and continue to enjoy this method of teaching — always seeking new and innovative strategies for meeting student needs. During the summer of 2010, I successfully navigated the transition of all of … Continue reading →

In October 2012 I traveled to Kutztown University which is in Berks County, Pennsylvania located about midway between the cities of Reading and Allentown.  Like Millersville, Kutztown University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) … Continue reading →

In addition to my regular teaching load, I teach several online professional-development graduate courses in School Health and Wellness during the calendar year. Each of these continuing education courses are designed to meet the needs of teachers, nurses, counselors and … Continue reading →

Scholars in the Classroom is a program designed to bring outside speakers to campus to meet with students in the classroom.  In Fall 2012, the University Theme Committee awarded me special funding so that I could fully fund Jack McLean’s … Continue reading →

Financial Peace University is a 9-week course that meets once a week for about two hours.  Each week, a different video lesson is taught by Dave Ramsey followed by a small-group discussion that is led by a trained-facilitator and weekly … Continue reading →

One of the ways that I infuse technology into my pedagogy is through a project I developed designed to enhance student engagement called the Digital Intervention Project (DIP).  In brief, the DIP is a student assignment that creates an active learning … Continue reading →

Dr. Robert A. Lombardi is the Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc., (PIAA)—a membership organization consisting of 1,440 schools from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  With more than 350,000 student-athletes who participate in interscholastic athletics, the PIAA … Continue reading →

While traveling overseas in the country of Chile, I had an opportunity to teach a professional development class for teachers at Trinity College located near Rancagua, Chile.   The main topic of my lesson was Disordered Eating Habits in Children.  … Continue reading →

A highlight of my career has been in the opportunities to collaborate with faculty from across different departments. Generally speaking, it is somewhat rare for a non-tenured “junior” faculty member from a different department to be given permission to teach … Continue reading →

I regularly encourage my students to attend public lectures and to submit summary reports for extra credit.  Encouraging students to attend lectures and other public events given by internationally and nationally-known speakers helps to broaden their understanding and contextualize important … Continue reading →

M. Cookie Newsom, Ph.D. is the Director of Diversity Education and Assessment at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.   In September 2008 I arranged to bring Dr. Newsom to campus to share her contributions and expertise with the campus … Continue reading →

Here is a photo of some students from my wellness course at the local grocery store.  In order to learn more about nutrition and healthy eating, I developed an assignment in which students meet at the local supermarket in small … Continue reading →

For my course WSSD 390: Athletic Training Techniques with Surface Anatomy, I designed an optional lab so that students could apply the principles we had been studying in-class using the video gaming system Wii.  Shown below are a few of … Continue reading →

I have been quite fortunate to work with several outstanding athletic training students over my career.  Shown below is a sample of the directed student projects I have advised and co-authored. The studies included here were published in peer-reviewed conference … Continue reading →

In this published interview from Convergence magazine, the publication for students, alumni, faculty, staff and other friends of West Virginia Graduate College (now part of the Marshall University system), I share my insights as a part-time graduate student taking one … Continue reading →

Located in Washington, D.C., Gallaudet University is the world leader in undergraduate and graduate programs for the deaf and hard of hearing students. I was invited to give a keynote presentation to students, faculty, administrators and board of  trustee members … Continue reading →

During the week of August 2-6, 2004, the 1st annual Pennsylvania Wellness Institute was held on the campus of Millersville University and attended by over 45 educators, school nurses, respiratory therapists and certified athletic trainers from across four different counties … Continue reading →

Following the success of the first annual Pennsylvania Wellness Institute, a second Institute was planned and taught the following year at the PASSHE Dixon University Center complex in Harrisburg.  Click to open the full brochure: Second Annual PA Wellness Institute … Continue reading →

These are some of my favorite books: 1.  Passport to the Soul: A Lifelong  Journey by Beth Mende Conny (2001).  This mini book contains several inspirational quotes from various sources. 2.  Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of … Continue reading →