OAHPERD Officer Bios
President-Elect: Dr. Jerel Cowan
Jerel is an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. He received his Ph.D. in July 2009 in Environmental Science from Oklahoma State University, his Master of Science in August 2004 in Leisure Studies from Oklahoma State University, and his Bachelor of Science in May 2000 in Recreation Management from the University of Central Oklahoma. Jerel is a member of AAHPERD, SDAAHPERD, OAHPERD, AAHE, NRPA, and WEA. He has served OAHPERD as Vice President of General (08-09), Vice President of Recreation (06-07/07-08), and was honored in 2005 as OAHPERD Recreational Professional of the year. Jerel has served our Southern District AAHPERD as Outdoor Recreation Council Member at Large (05-06/06-07), Intramural Recreation Sports Council Member at Large (07-08/08-09),and Representative for SDAAHPERD Sport and Leisure Division at General Assembly 2008 and 2009.
Jerel was honored in 2009 with the Excellence in Integrity Award (SAS at UCO), and in 2008-09 as Outstanding Greek Advisor. He also serves our profession as a Leave No Trace State Advocate in Oklahoma, Chair-person for the Oklahoma Trails Advisory Board (07-Present)(OK Department of Tourism), and Edmond Land Conservancy Vice-Chair (07- present). Jerel’s publications include Cowan, J & Gibson, H (2008) Chapter 4: Footwear, Clothing and Gear: The Outdoor Adventures: Hiking and Backpacking; Goldberg, M & Martin, B (Eds). Human Kinetics.
“If elected my vision for OAHPERD will be to develop new partnerships as well as continue current partnerships with organizations that promote increased activity and health in Oklahomans. I look forward to expanding the professional influence of our organization through all the respected branches of the organization. I will also carry forth the vision and tradition that has sustained the organization for so long.”
VP-Elect General: Dr. Robert Christiansen
Robert is an Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University in Health & Human Performance. Prior to coming to OSU, he was the District Director of Physical Education and Athletics at Northport – East Northport School District (1996-2007) in Northport, NY and an adjunct Associate Professor at Adelphi University (1998-2007) in Garden City, NY. He has served our profession both at the High School and University levels.
Robert has won many awards over the years to including Suffolk Zone – Amazing Person Award, Council of Administrators, Zone Honor Award, National Council of School Administrator of Health and Physical Education Channing Mann Award – National Physical Education Director of the Year, the Eastern District Association of AAHPERD – Honor Award, Merit Award, and Presidential Medal. He also was presented the Distinguished Leadership Award from the New Jersey AHPERD. In addition to winning numerous awards, Robert also has served on many local, regional and national boards, including Research chair for OAHPERD; President of New Jersey AHPERD; EDA of AAHPERD, Vice President of Physical Education; New York State AHPERD Zone President; ARAPCS, Chairperson of the Council of City and County Directors; NASPE, Chairperson-elect of the Council of School Administrators of Physical Education; NIAAA, National Chairperson of the Certification Committee (CAA).
VP-Elect Health: Linda Luther
Linda teaches elementary physical education and health at Horace Mann Elem., Oklahoma City Public Schools, and is a Schools for Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator. She received her Bachelors of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation K-12 from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Linda is a long-time member of OAHPERD and has previously served on the board and council as Elementary PE chair. Linda has received numerous honors including the Emma Plunkett Scholarship, Teacher of the Year at Horace Mann Elementary, and Schools for Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator of the Year.
VP-Elect Physical Education: Stephanie Canada
Stephanie is an Instructor of Kinesiology and Education at East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma. In 2008 – 2009 she was a Washington Teaching Ambassador Fellow for the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C. In 2008 she was honored as Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and served as Ambassador to Education. Stephanie was Teacher of the Year for Shawnee Public Schools in 2007, where she taught elementary physical education at Will Rogers Elem. She was inducted into the East Central University Education Hall of Fame in 2008. She is a 2007 National Board Certified Teacher in Physical Education Early and Middle Childhood. Other honors include Will Rogers Elem. Teacher of the Year (2006), and State Department of Education Healthy and Fit Schools, Best Practices Award (2005). While teaching in Shawnee (2003-2008) she was a Schools for Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator, District Teacher Trainer, Cooperating Teacher for student teachers from Oklahoma Baptist University and NSU, and Mentor Teacher. Stephanie has served our profession at the elementary, middle school, high school and university levels.
Stephanie earned her B.S. in Exercise Science in 1995, and her M.Ed. in Secondary Education, Physical Education in 1997, both from East Central University. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in the PhD program at the University of Oklahoma in Instructional Leadership in Academic Curriculum. Stephanie is a member of OAHPERD, AAHPERD, NASPE, AAPAR, and the Association for Supervision of Curriculum Development. She has served OAHPERD as Vice President of Recreation, 2005-2007, and Vice President Elect of General 2007- 2008. Stephanie has also been a presenter at local, state, and national meetings and conferences. Here are just a few of her latest presentations: PEP Grant and Teacher Leaders, AAHPERD Convention, Tampa, FL, 2009; Teacher Leadership, OSU Celebration of Teaching, Stillwater, OK, 2009; Teachers Voice in Education Policy, Teach For America, Philadelphia, PA, 2008; PEP Grant Sustainability, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, Project Director Meeting, Washington, D.C., 2008; Teachers Involvement in Local, State and Federal Education Policy Development, Fairfax High School, V.A., 2008; Education and the American Dream, Celebration of Teaching, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma State University, 2008; Empowering Agents of Change as Teacher Leaders, University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, Southeastern State University, Northeastern State University, East Central University, Oral Roberts University, University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University, Cameron University, Teacher Education Programs. 2007- 2008; Quality Physical Education Programs, East Central University, Oklahoma State University, 2007-2008; Sustaining Healthy Lifestyles Through City Design, Shawnee Kiwanis, Bristow Lions Club, 2008; Cultural Transformation Through Systemic Change for Healthy Students, Marvin Stokes Lectureship, East Central University, 2007; Walk to School Programs and Safe Routes to School, OAHPERD Convention, 2007; Walking Programs; Building Capacity and Sustainability in Schools and Communities, Schools for Healthy Lifestyles Summer Institute, 2007.
VP-Elect Recreation: Holly Vonderohe
Holly has taught physical education for Yukon Public Schools for 9 years, teaching 6 years at Surrey Hills and Central Elem., and the last 3 years at Ranchwood Elem. She graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield Kansas in 1992 with a B.S. in Parks and Recreation, and received Teaching Certification from the University of Central Oklahoma in1998. Holly is currently working on a masters in Parks and Recreation, specializing in Outdoor Activities at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Holly is a member of Southwestern Oklahoma State University Parks and Rec Club, OAHPERD, AAHPERD, NASPE, NAWGS, and ORPS (Oklahoma Recreation and Park Society). She has served on the OAHPERD board and council since 2006, first in the Adapted section and then as Northwest Area Coordinator. Holly received the Yukon Public School Foundation for Excellence Grant in 2001, and was honored as Teacher of the Year for Surrey Hills in 2004-05.
Athletics-Elect: Cindy Wilson
Cindy is an elementary physical education teacher at Indian Springs Elem, Broken Arrow Public Schools, and also coaches 7th & 8th grade girls basketball at Oliver Middle School. She has been a member of OAHPERD since 1989, and served on the board and council as Dance chair in 1992. Cindy is also a member of AAHPERD, NASPE, and the Oklahoma Coaches Association. She was an assistant basketball coach at Choctaw Jr. High in 1986, 1987, and 1989. Broken Arrow Public Schools honored Cindy as Educator of the month in 2007.
Adapted-Elect: Susan McLemore
Susan teaches adaptive physical education, Health Concepts, Skill Development & Assessment and is involved with Physical Education Teacher Education at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is a 2003 National Board Certified Teacher. Susan received her Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University in 1979, teaching certification in 1979, and Masters of Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1993. She is currently a member of OAHPERD, AAHPERD, NASPE, and AAPAR. Susan has received many honors including: Excellent Educator ( Putnam City Schools Foundation), Teacher of the Year 2001-2002 for Ralph Downs Elem., State Teacher of the Year Finalist 2002, Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar 2003, and Elementary Teacher of the Year for OAHPERD 2007-08. She has also received grants from Funds for Teacher, Grants for Kids, and Grants for Excellence (HeartMonitor Technology & Climbing Wall). The following presentations are also attributed to Susan: “Health & Physical Education: The Aussie Way”, Comparative study of physical education in Australia & the United States, Susan McLemore & Karen Kobs, AAHPERD National Conference 2007, Baltimore, MD; and “Health Promotion Take Home Kits”, American Association for Health Education Strategies Poster Session, AAHPERD National Conference 2009, Tampa Bay, FL.
College-Elect: Stephanie Boss
Stephanie works in the Kinesiology Department at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education and Health from the University of Central Oklahoma, her Master’s in Education Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and is currently working on her Doctorate in Education of Adult Learning from Walden University. She is a member of OAHPERD and NASPE, and was a presenter in 2008 at the OAHPERD convention. Stephanie was a Teacher of the Year Nominee at Independence Middle School, Yukon, OK in 2005. She was also honored with the prestigious Emma Plunkett Award- Outstanding Female Senior, at UCO in 1996.
Dance-Elect: Marki Payne
Marki is the Health, Physical Education and Wellness Coordinator for Lawton Public Schools. Her service to OAHPERD and her honors are numerous and include: OAHPERD Elementary Chair 2009, OAHPERD Distinguished Honor Award Recipient 1997, OAHPERD President 1997, AAHPERD Teacher of the Year finalist 1996, SDAAHPERD Teacher of the Year 1996, OAHPERD Teacher of the Year 1995, OAHPERD Vice President – Physical Education 1992, OAHPERD Vice President – General Division 1989. Marki has also been honored as Oklahoma SW District Swim Coach of the Year 2008, National Fitness professional Award Recipient NASPE 2002, Oklahoma Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Fitness Educator of the Year 1998, Disney /McDonald’s American teacher Award Winner 1996, and Crosby Park Teacher of the Year 1996. Marki received her Masters in Elementary School Counseling from Southwest Oklahoma State University and her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She is a member of AAHPERD, NASPE, AAPAR, OAHPERD, and Oklahoma Coaches Association and actively attends conferences and conventions.
Elementary PE–Elect: Jason Hasty
Jason has taught K-5 physical education and health for Putnam City Schools for 13 years, currently teaching at Western Oaks Elementary. He is the Putnam City Schools Physical Education Coordinator, and Schools for Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator. Jason is also the Meet Director of Putnam City Schools Annual Cancer Classic 5K/1-mile fun run. He received his Bachelors of Science in Education in 1994 from the University of Central Oklahoma and Masters of Administration in 2005 from the University of Central Oklahoma. Jason became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2008. He is a member of OAHPERD, AAHPERD, NASPE, NEA, OEA, and Putnam City Association of Classroom Teachers, and is a regular attendee of local, state, and national conventions. He has written and received numerous grants. In 2001-2002 Jason was an OAHPERD Teacher of the Year Finalist, and also in 2001-2002 he was Western Oaks Teacher of the Year.
Secondary PE-Elect: Karen Bridges
Karen teaches physical education at Mustang Middle School, where she has taught since 1982. She is also a coach and athletic director for Mustang Middle School. She earned her B.S. in Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University 1981, and her Masters in Education in 1984 from SWOSU. Karen is a member of NEA/OEA, and has been an active member of OAHPERD for numerous years.
Exercise Science-Elect: Dr. Amber Sturgeon
Amber teaches in the Kinesiology Department at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. This is her 5th year at SWOSU. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University, a M.S. in Health, Physical Education and Leisure from OSU, and a Ph.D. in Health, Leisure and Human Performance from OSU. She is a member of AAHPERD, NASPE and OAHPERD. Amber also belongs to Phi Epsilon Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi.
Research–Elect: Michelle Sweney
Michelle is a Public Health Educator with Cherokee Nation, Healthy Nation, where she teaches healthy living to a wide variety of individuals within Adair County focusing on healthy eating/nutrition, tobacco prevention, and physical activity. Prior to this she taught group exercise classes in Tahlequah Oklahoma, and taught physical education in Muskogee for three and a half years. Michelle has a Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance, and a Master of Science in Kinesiology. She has been an active member of OAHPERD since 2003-2004 and has attended the OAHPERD conference the last 6 years. She was a Research presenter in 2007-2008 at the OAHPERD conference. Michelle was recognized by Muskogee Phoenix for teaching PowerMoves in the physical education classroom as well as rock climbing for all students.