Jeffrey S. Gehris, PhD

JEFFREY S. GEHRIS, PhD

Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
Temple University
Department of Kinesiology
144A Pearson Hall (048-00)
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Phone:   215-204-1954
Fax:      215-204-4414
E-mail:   jgehris@temple.edu

Biography

EDUCATION

1989-1993 BS, Accounting, Villanova University, Villanova, PA

1993-1998 MEd, Physical Education (Curriculum & Instruction concentration), Temple University,
Philadelphia, PA

2002-2007 PhD, Kinesiology (Curriculum & Instruction concentration), Temple University,
Philadelphia, PA

POSITIONS

1997-2000 Health and Physical Education Teacher, Old Greenwich School, Greenwich, CT

2000-2002 Health and Physical Education Teacher, Western Middle School, Greenwich, CT

2002-2003 Teaching Assistant in Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

2003- Assistant Professor of Kinesiology (Teacher Education), Temple University,
Philadelphia, PA

HONORS

1996 Robert Pate Scholarship, Eastern District-AAHPERD

1997 Outstanding Student Major Award, PSAHPERD

2005 Outstanding Professional Award, Eastern District-AAHPERD

2006 Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship of the AAHPERD

2009 Outstanding Service Award, Council for Adventure and Outdoor Education/Recreation,

AAPAR/AAHPERD

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

1994-1997 Student section officer, PSAHPERD

2001 Validator, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

2004-2005 Executive Committee Member, Council for Adventure and Outdoor Education/Recreation
of the AAHPERD

2005-2006 Chair-elect, Council for Adventure and Outdoor Education/Recreation of the AAHPERD

2006-2008 Chair, Council for Adventure and Outdoor Education/Recreation of the AAHPERD

2006-2008 Executive Committee Member, American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation

Professional Workshops Developed (National Level):

Teaching Adventure Skills in the Gym: Developed workshop curriculum and train-the-trainer program. Served as head trainer and lead instructor (AAHPERD, 2003-2008)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

Course Involvement

TEACHING

Note: Sole course instructor unless otherwise indicated.

Teacher Preparation Courses:

Fall semester (2003 to date): Teaching Physical and Health Education I

Fall semester (2003 to date): Basic Movement I

Fall semester (2003 to date): Practicum in Physical and Health Education I

Fall semester (2003 to date): Advanced Movement I (Co-instructor)

Fall semester (2003 to date): Seminar in Student Teaching

Fall semester (2009 to date): Parkway High School Practicum

Spring semester (2004 to date): Teaching Physical and Health Education II

Spring semester (2004 to date): Practicum in Physical and Health Education II

Spring semester (2004 to date): Advanced Movement II (Co-instructor)

Spring semester (2004 to date): Seminar in Student Teaching

Select semesters (2004 to date): Student teaching supervision

Spring semester (2009 to date): Parkway High School Practicum

Department-Related Courses:

Select semesters (2003 to 2007): Introduction to Kinesiology (Co-instructor)

Select semesters (2003 to date): Independent Study in Kinesiology (Research Mentor)

Basic Instruction Program Courses:

Select semesters (2002 to 2003): Tennis (Graduate teaching assistant)

Select semesters (2002 to 2003): Weight training (Graduate teaching assistant)

Select semesters (2003 to date): Backpacking and Camping

New Courses Developed:

Adventure Climbing (Kinesiology 1003): Developed course proposal and served as first instructor. (2003 to date, select semesters)

Publications/Presentations

PUBLICATIONS

Dort, A., Evaul, T., & Gehris, J. (2003). Adventure without ropes. Merchantville, NJ: CEC.
Gehris, J. (2005). Taking your adventure lessons to new heights: Using adventure education to address the State and NASPE physical education standards. Pennsylvania Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 75(3), 44-47.
Dort, A., Evaul, T., & Gehris, J. (2006). Basic adventure skills: Knot tying made easy. Reston, VA: American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation.
Gehris, J., Kress, J., & Swalm, R. (2010). Students' views on physical development and physical self-concept in adventure-physical education. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 29(2), 146-166.
Dort, A., Evaul, T., & Gehris, J. (2010). Climbing and challenge courses. In N. Dougherty (Ed.), Principles of safety in physical education and sport (pp. 87-98). Reston, VA: National Association for Sport and Physical Education.
Dort, A., Evaul, T., & Gehris, J. (2010). Climbing and challenge courses. In N. Dougherty (Ed.), Physical activity and sport for the secondary school student (pp. 109-126). Reston, VA: National
Association for Sport and Physical Education.
Gehris, J., Kress, J., & Swalm, R. (2011). Effects of adventure-physical education on high school students’ physical self-concept and physical fitness. Pennsylvania Journal of Health, Physical
Education, Recreation, and Dance, 81(2), 21-23;26-27.
Gehris, J. S., Myers, E. M., & Whitaker, R. C. (2011). Physical Activity Levels During Adventure-Physical Education Lessons. Manuscript submitted for publication.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Gehris, J. (Writer/Director), & Donato, J. (Producer). (2009). SOFIT training video for adventure-physical education [Research training DVD]. Copyright: Jeff Gehris and Temple University.

PRESENTATIONS

National

Get a grip: A physical education and adventure model. Annual Meeting of the Association for Challenge Course Technology, Orlando Fl. (January, 2000).
Teaching and assessing the hard skills of adventure education. Annual Meeting of the Association for Challenge Course Technology, Albuquerque, NM. (January, 2001).
Have a safe adventure. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Cincinnati, OH. (April, 2001).
Starting an adventure program cheap. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Cincinnati, OH. (April, 2001).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Philadelphia, PA. (April, 2003).
Using stations to teach adventure education. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Philadelphia, PA. (April, 2003).
Adventure vendors and clients panel discussion. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Philadelphia, PA. (April, 2003).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, New Orleans, LA. (April, 2004).
Teaching fitness through adventure. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation, and Dance, New Orleans, LA. (April, 2004).
Teaching leadership skills through outdoor adventure. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, New Orleans, LA. (April, 2004).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Chicago, IL. (April, 2005).
Teaching fitness through adventure. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Chicago, IL. (April, 2005).
Maximizing participation in adventure activities. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Chicago, IL. (April, 2005).
Our favorite adventure activities: Activities to develop responsibility and target diverse populations. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Chicago, IL. (April, 2005).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Salt Lake City, UT (April, 2006).
Adventures in fitness. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Salt Lake City, UT (April, 2006).
Academic adventures: Meeting the NASPE standards through adventure education. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Salt Lake City, UT (April, 2006).
Venue design and management: Ask the experts. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Salt Lake City, UT (April, 2006).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Baltimore, MD (March, 2007).
Adventures in physical fitness: Meeting fitness goals through adventure programming. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Baltimore, MD (March, 2007).
Higher education adventure. Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Baltimore, MD (March, 2007).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation’s “Get Out” Adventure and Outdoor Education Conference, Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho (July, 2007).
Invited Presentation: Physical activity and school readiness. Office of Head Start 1st National Birth to Five Leadership Institute, Washington, DC. (October 3, 2011) (with Robert C. Whitaker).

Regional and Local

Invited Presentation. Designing assessments for physical education. Staff development in-service training for Greenwich Public Schools, Greenwich, CT. (October 1998).
Invited Presentation. Clarisworks spreadsheet basics. Staff development in-service training for Greenwich Public Schools, Greenwich, CT. (October 1998).
Invited Presentation. Using the world wide web to enhance instruction. Staff development in-service training for Norwalk Public Schools, Norwalk, CT. (February, 1999).
A&J’s excellent adventure: Practical approaches for teaching adventure. Regional workshop of the Connecticut State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Greenwich, CT. (October, 1999).
Invited Presentation. Adventure course staff training. Camp Timber Tops, Greeley, PA. (June, 2000).
Adventure programs in physical education. Annual Meeting of the Connecticut State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Waterbury, CT. (November, 2000).
Teaching and assessing the hard skills of adventure education. Annual Meeting of the Connecticut State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Waterbury, CT. (November, 2000).
Using the adventure-based curriculum in the physical education setting. Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Lancaster, PA. (December, 2000).
Have a safe adventure. Annual Meeting of the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Newport, RI. (March, 2001).
Starting an adventure program cheap. Annual Meeting of the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Newport, RI. (March, 2001).
Adventure education: Putting it all together. Annual Meeting of the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Newport, RI. (March, 2001).
Fitness adventures: Dynamic adventure activities for developing fitness. Regional workshop of the Connecticut State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Greenwich, CT. (May 2001).
Invited Presentation. Adventure course staff training. Camp Timber Tops, Greeley, PA. (June, 2001).
Teaching and assessing the hard skills of adventure education. Staff development in-service training for Glastonbury Public Schools, Glastonbury, CT. (April, 2002).
Adventures in the gym. Local workshop for the Southeast District of the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA. (May, 2003).
Invited Presentation: Adventure without ropes. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Governor’s Institute for Physical Education, Slippery Rock, PA. (August, 2003).
Invited Presentation: Adventures in fitness. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Governor’s Institute for Physical Education, Slippery Rock, PA. (August, 2003).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the Southwest District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Albuquerque, NM. (February, 2004).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Burlington, VT. (March, 2004).
Invited Presentation: Facilitation skills: Briefing, leading, and debriefing. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Governor’s Institute for Physical Education, Slippery Rock, PA. (August, 2004).
Invited Presentation: Adventure program implementation. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Governor’s Institute for Physical Education, Slippery Rock, PA. (August, 2004).
Invited Presentation: Adventure without ropes. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Governor’s Institute for Physical Education, Slippery Rock, PA. (August, 2004).
Teaching fitness through adventure. Annual Meeting of the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Springfield, MA. (February, 2005).
Invited Presentation: Strategies for non-traditional physical activities. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Governor’s Institute for Physical Education, Slippery Rock, PA. (August, 2005).
Academic adventures: Take your adventure lessons to new heights. Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Lancaster, PA. (November, 2005).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Lancaster, PA. (November, 2005).
Teaching adventure skills in the gym. Annual Meeting of the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Hartford, CT. (March, 2006).
Adventures in physical activity. Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Champion, PA. (November, 2010).

Grants & Contracts

RESEARCH GRANTS

PAST

Title: Physical activity levels in adventure-based physical education
Source: Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education Recreation, and Dance
Role: Principal Investigator
Goal: To determine middle school students’ levels of physical activity, motivation, and enjoyment in adventure-based physical education lessons.
Period of support: 6/1/2008 – 12/31/2009
Total costs: $1,500
Title: The perceptions of Head Start teachers about physical activity in young children
Source: Temple University, College of Health Professions and Social Work
Role: Principal Investigator
Goal: To understand the perceptions of Head Start teachers about the role of physical activity in the overall development of preschool children and in early
childhood education.
Period of support: 6/1/2010 – 5/31/2011
Total costs: $2,850
Title: Head Start teachers’ perceptions about physical activity in preschool programs
Source: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Role: Principal Investigator
Goal: To understand the perceptions of Head Start teachers about the role of
physical activity in the overall development of preschool children and in early
childhood education.
Period of support: 4/1/2010 – 8/31/2011
Total costs: $6,390

Research

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The role of movement experiences in early childhood development and education
The physical and psychosocial effects of adventure-physical education