College of Education & Human Services

Ritchie C. Gabbei, Ph.D.

Ritchie C. Gabbei, Ph.D.

Professor & Physical Education Teacher Education/Coaching Education Program Director

Department: School of Education
Academic Programs: Physical Education Teacher Education, Coaching Education
Research Areas: Effective Teaching
Phone: 309-298-1384
Email: RC-Gabbei@wiu.edu

Resume/CV

About Me

I grew up on a farm in Dekorra, WI. I loved every kind of sport and physical challenge. I became a PE teacher at The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and moved to Atlanta, GA to get my first teaching/coaching job at Kirkwood Elementary at Atlanta Public Schools. Later I moved to Up-state NY to teach PE and coach football and basketball at Cobleskill for a year and Afton Central School for 6. I completed a Masters degree at The State University of New York at Cortland. This led me to pursuit a PhD as a candidate at The University of South Carolina where I learned to rock climb and paddle whitewater - among so many other wonderful things in my formal program. A good terminal degree program should force you to change the way you see and understand the world. In 1999 I accepted a position at WIU to train future PE teachers. I met my wife at WIU and we have two great kids that are now grown and flown.

Education:
Ph.D. in Physical Education Pedagogy
University of South Carolina
Cognate: Curriculum and Instruction
Dissertation: The Behaviors and Perceptions of Teachers and Students in Middle School Physical Education as Mediated by Gender. 		2002
Master of Science in Education
State University of New York-Cortland
Major: Physical Education
Thesis: Investigated the relationship between academic learning time and stress in physical education, English, social studies, math and science. 		1993
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Major: Physical Education
Minor: Psychology 		1984
Awards:
  • WCDO/Chambers Auto Sales 1988-89 Coach of the Year (Boys Basketball)
  • 2005 College of Education and Human Services Outstanding Scholarly/Professional Activity Award.
  • 2023 College of Education and Human Services Excellence in Teaching Award.

Research and Publications

Laura Zavatto & Ritchie Gabbei (2008) The REAL Dance Revolution: How to Make Dance Meaningful for ALL Students, Strategies, 21:5, 25-28, DOI: 10.1080/08924562.2008.10590789

Ritchie Gabbei & Heidi Clemmens (2005) Creative Movement from Children's Storybooks: Going beyond Pantomime, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 76:9, 32-37, DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2005.10608308

Ritchie Gabbei (2004) Generating Effective Facilitation Questions for Team-Building/Personal-Challenge Activities, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 75:9, 20-24, DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2004.10607295

Ritchie Cabbei (2004) Achieving Balance: Secondary Physical Education Gender-Grouping Options, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 75:3, 33-39, DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2004.10609250

Ritchie Gabbei & Donna Hamrick (2001) Using Physical Activity Homework to Meet the National Standards, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 72:4, 21-26, DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2001.10605733