Physical education professor earns national recognition
Hans van der Mars, professor of physical education, is the 2011 recipient of the Physical Education Teacher Education Honor Award from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). He received the recognition during the 126th national convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) in San Diego.
“I am pleased but not surprised to hear about this recognition for Dr. van der Mars,” said Mari Koerner, dean of ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. “Hans has a distinguished record of service to students and tireless dedication to the education profession. He embodies the spirit of what we in Teachers College strive to achieve every day in our interactions with students, schools and the community.”
The Physical Education Teacher Education Honor Award recognizes exemplary, innovative work that impacts physical education teacher education. The recognition is for a service, product, unique collaboration or contribution that benefits the profession. Nominations might include individuals, programs, associations or government entities.
Van der Mars has been a physical education teacher educator and researcher for more than 25 years. He has spent much of his career preparing new physical educators at two of the nation’s leading physical education teacher education programs, at Oregon State University and ASU.
“Receiving this award is obviously very nice, but I believe my efforts over the years have been the result of having been surrounded by tremendous colleagues,” van der Mars said. “As well, I have had the privilege of working with some excellent graduate students as well as true professional physical educators in the schools. They continue to be a great source of pride and energy.”
Van der Mars teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Sport Pedagogy/Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). The physical education program, based at ASU’s Polytechnic campus, offers a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s of physical education. Physical education majors will be certified to teach physical education in grades K-12 upon graduation. Graduates typically become physical education and/or health teachers, coaches, or work in the sports and recreation fields. A Ph.D. program with an emphasis in physical education is available as well.
As a mentor, van der Mars has supervised between four and eight student teachers every semester, more than 125 masters’ degree students, and more than ten Ph.D. students in Sport Pedagogy/ PETE. He has an extensive record of involvement in professional membership organizations. Van der Mars chaired the NASPE Task Force that developed the 2002 Guidelines for advanced physical education program reports with NASPE/National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) 2001 Advanced Physical Education Standards (3rd ed.), as well as the accompanying Reviewer Guidelines.
In 1995, van der Mars was on the organizing committee for NASPE’s first National PETE conference. Most recently he has been involved in AAHPERD’s Research Consortium, presenting at national and regional levels aimed at helping others become better at writing and doing research. His work, commitment and dedication have led to previous honors including the 2003-2004 College/University Teacher of the Year, Oregon Association of Physical Education (OAPHERD), the Southwest District Scholar Award from the Southwest District of AAHPERD in 2009, and the 2010 Southwest District AHPERD Presidential Citation. In 2005, van der Mars was inducted as a Fellow in AAHPERD’s Research Consortium, the American Academy for Kinesiology and Physical Education (AAKPE) in 2006, and the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance Professionals (NASHPERD) in 2009.
Van der Mars has published extensively in leading journals such as the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education (JTPE), Journal of Physical Activity and Health (JPAH), Journal of Sport Pedagogy, Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ), and Pediatric Exercise Science (PES). He has made more than 145 international, national, regional and state-level presentations, co-authored the “Complete Guide to Sport Education,” and written 18 chapters in various research and professional texts.
“Dr. van der Mars is bright, energetic, and, most importantly, totally devoted to developing and sustaining a career in PETE where he helps to improve teacher education and the practice of physical education in schools,” said Daryl Siedentop, professor emeritus at The Ohio State University. “He has taught a wide variety of PETE-specific courses, including courses in general secondary methods, sport education curriculum, sport skill analysis, curriculum-program development, analysis of teaching and learning in physical education, portfolio development and more.”
Van der Mars holds a Ph.D. in physical education from The Ohio State University, an M.S. degree in physical education from Ithaca College, and a Physical Education Teaching Diploma from Christelijke Academic voor Lichamelijke Opvoeding (C.A.L.O.) in the Netherlands.
The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE’s 15,000 members include K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, sport management professionals, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare physical activity professionals.
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College offers world-class academic programs for educators and scholars preparing to enter or advance in the profession. Teachers College provides challenging educational programs to prepare successful and highly qualified PreK-12 teachers. The College offers programs for those interested in advanced study and research activities leading to careers in school leadership, school and educational psychology, education policy, education technology, higher and post-secondary education, and other fields.