Northern Illinois University
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education
College of Education

Zachary Wahl-Alexander, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Physical Education Teacher Education

Department

Kinesiology and Physical Education

Research Interests

• Examining the extent to which pedagogical changes can inform and impact teaching practices within the context of physical education and physical activity.
• Investigating the sport education pedagogical model, negotiated curriculum and building community-based partnerships (i.e., summer camps, juvenile detention centers) focused on providing youth opportunities to be physically active.

Education

• Ph.D. University of Alabama, Human Performance
• M.S. University of Alabama, Sport Pedagogy
• B.S. University of Georgia, Health and Physical Education

Recent Publications

• Wahl-Alexander, Z., Brusseau, T., and Burns, R. (2020). Changes in daily step counts and health-related fitness after a sports-based residential summer camp in boys. A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 1-10.
• Wahl-Alexander, Z., and Morehead, C. (2020). An observational assessment of physical activity levels and social behavior during residential summer camp unstructured time. American Journal of Health Promotion, 34(4), 387-292.
• Smart, S., and Wahl-Alexander, Z. (2020). Optimizing physical activity during non-fitness-based sport education seasons. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 91(4), 22-29.
• Wahl-Alexander, Z., and Curtner-Smith, M. (2019). Influence of negotiations on preservice teachers’ instruction within a skill themes unit. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 39(4), 500-507.

Funded Projects

• A Comprehensive Sport Leadership and College Readiness Program for Incarcerated Youth. (2020). Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
• Developing Conflict Resolution Uplifting Youth through Sport. (2020). NIU Great Journeys Assistantship Program

Courses Taught

• KNPE 335: Developmental Skill-Based Approach to Teaching
• KNPE 343: Elementary Physical Education
• KNPE 368: Sport Education
• KNPE 421: Curriculum and Instructional Design
• KNPE 467/468: Field Experience in the Middle and High School