Bio
Kristi Roth is a full professor in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She spent 10 years as an adapted physical education teacher in the PK-12 environment prior to moving into higher education. She has served in a combination of administrative and teaching roles at UW-Stevens Point since 2004. She currently teaches graduate courses in resilience and self-care, equity in education, social justice, research methods, trauma-sensitive classrooms, issues and trends in education, and undergraduate courses in adapted physical education. She was the lead developer of a certificate in teacher resilience.
She is co-author of the textbook Principles and Methods of Adapted Physical Education and Recreation and has had numerous publications and presentations primarily focusing on technology and teaching students with severe disabilities. She presented a framework for Universal Design for Learning that emphasizes self-determination and equity titled “Crowdsourcing Universal Design for Learning to Promote Equity in Education” at the AACTE Annual Conference in February 2021. She recently completed two book chapters for a book on self-advocacy. One focused on self-determination and self-advocacy and the other on social justice and self-advocacy. She serves on the publications board for SHAPE America and serves as a manuscript reviewer for several journals. She formerly served in several administrative roles include the director of the Innovation Space, director of Technology Innovation in Teaching and Learning, director of Graduate and Innovative Programs, and director of Physical Education.
Kristi prioritizes her work-life balance and expects her students to do the same. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, hiking, golfing, painting and cooking. She usually does all of these with her best friend and life partner, Matt. Matt is a math teacher and lacrosse and hockey referee. Kristi and Matt have two grown children. One is a nuclear engineer in Arizona and the other is a software engineer in Minnesota. They also have a house full of pets who keep them busy and entertained.
Experience and Interests
Teaching Experience
- Professor in Education and Adapted Physical Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2004-present)
- Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education Specialist (1993-2004)
Research Interests
- Teacher Resilience
- Trauma Sensitive Environments
- Educational Technology
- Equity in Education for Marginalized Populations
Involvement
Campus
- Executive Committee, 2020-present
- Academic Affairs Committee (Chair), 2020-present
- Faculty Mediation Subcommittee, 2020-present
- Sabbatical Review Subcommittee, 2020-present
- SHAPE America Publications Board Member, 2020-present
- School of Education Personnel Committee, 2019-2020
- School of Education Scholarship Committee, 2019-2020
- Search and Screen Committee for many positions at UWSP, ongoing
- Departmental diversity discussion group, 2017-2019
- Graduate Council, 2017-2019
- School of Education Leadership Team, 2017-2019
- Director of Graduate Studies and Educational Innovation, 2017-2019
- Executive Committee, 2016-2017
- Information Technology Council (Chair), 2016-2017
- Information Technology Council, 2014-2017
- Academic Affairs Committee, 2015-2017
- Online Accessibility Policy Review Committee, 2014-2015
- University Personnel Development Committee, 2013-2015
- University Diversity Committee, 2013-2015
- Innovation Space Program Director, 2012-2018
- Tech Select Faculty Program Director, 2012-2018
- College of Professional Studies Diversity Committee, Chair 2012-2013
- UWSP Annual Teaching Conference Planning Committee, 2013-2017
- University Disability Advisory Council, 2012-2015
- CAESE Assessment Faculty Learning Community, 2012
- University Awards Committee Member, 2012
- Physical Education Program Director: 2010-2014
- CAESE Reading Seminar, What the Best College Teachers Do, 2010
- OPID Faculty College Attendee, 2010
- Teaching Partners Program Director: 2008-2017
- CPS Teaching Partner, 2004 & 2006
Community
- Down Syndrome Association of Central Wisconsin Board Member, 2020-present
Professional Service
- Member of the SHAPE America Publications Committee, 2019-present
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, Manuscript reviewer, 2018-present
- Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Manuscript reviewer, 2010-present
- AACTE Annual Meeting Proposal Reviewer, 2020
- SHAPE America Physical Education Council Board Member, 2009-2015
- SHAPE America Teacher of the Year Reviewer, 2013, 2014
- JOPERD Editorial Board, 2012-2014
- AAPAR Video Contest Reviewer, January, 2010
- AAHPERD National Convention Presentation Proposal Reviewer, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015
- National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities, Member-At-Large, 2008-2010
- National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities,
- Member of the Nominations and Elections Committee, 2008-2010
- Adapted Physical Activity Council, AAPAR, Member of the Advocacy Committee, June, 2005-2010
- Wisconsin Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Central District Coordinator, October, 2008-2010
- Wisconsin Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Central District Coordinator Elect, October, 2007-October, 2008
- Wisconsin Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Adapted Physical Education Chairperson, October, 2005-October, 2006
- Wisconsin Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Adapted Chair-Elect, 2004-2005
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, 2017-present
- SHAPE America (formerly American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance), 1998-present
- International Society for Technology in Education, 2015-2017
- Wisconsin Health and Physical Education, 2004-2015
- National Consortium of Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities, 1998-2015
- Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 1998-2003
- North Carolina Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 1993-2003
Presentations and Publications
Presentations
Crowdsourcing Universal Design for Learning to Promote Equity in Education (February, 2021). AACTE Annual Meeting, https://secure.aacte.org/apps/planner/mobile/planner_view.php?view=schedule_details&scid=3237
Fun Facts
Last book you read?
Recovering from Workplace PTSD
Best advice you ever received?
Let them judge you. Let them gossip about you. Their opinions aren’t your problems. Stay kind, committed to love, and free in your authenticity. No matter what they do or say, don’t doubt your worth or the beauty of your truth. Just keep shining like you always do.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
First, a veterinarian, then an accountant, then a physical education teacher, then an adapted physical education teacher.
Favorite Quote?
Nature puts you in a place. Not literally, or figuratively. It makes you turn inward. There is a gentle, quiet, strength in nature that I am humbled and fascinated by, and that I try and find in myself. ~Paraphrased from Brett Dennen
One thing about your school that you are most proud of?
The faculty in the School of Education care a great deal about students and improving the lives of children through their work with preservice teachers and commitment to the field of education.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I enjoy watching my students get excited about their learning and applying that in their own classrooms. We make a difference together.
A piece of advice for students in your school?
The faculty in this program care about you. Reach out. Get to know them. They are here for you and your well-being, joy, and happiness is their priority.