Nichole Barta, Ed.D.

Nichole Barta joined Gonzaga’s faculty in 2016.  She has an Ed.D. in Studies in Education, a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and a B.A. in Physical Education. She specializes in curriculum and instruction and preservice teacher preparation in the health and physical education field. She primarily teaches all of the pedagogy and exercise technique related courses within the Kinesiology major including: Motor Development & Learning, Exercise & Sport Instructional Methods, Exercise Technique, Health Methods for Diverse Populations, and Principles of Strength and Conditioning. Dr. Barta is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She worked as a high school health and physical education teacher for 14.5 years and a P.E. & Health Instructional Specialist for 2 years in the public-school system. She is an Army Reserves veteran that specialized in Patient Administration.

Her research interests include best practices for enhancing student learning and improving physical fitness in the K-12 physical education and health setting and how to use social cognitive theory and self-regulation strategies to improve health and fitness-related behaviors among various populations.  Dr. Barta has authored a CPR in the Schools curriculum for Public-Health King County & Seattle, a Fuel Up to Play 60 nutrition and physical activity curriculum for the Washington Dairy Council. She was also a co-author of a recently published textbook for Human Kinetics titled Designing and Teaching Fitness Education Courses. Innovative Ideas and Practical Solutions for Secondary Schools. She conducts professional development for various school districts around the state on how to improve instructional practices to support student learning in health and physical education.