Ph.D. candidate and graduate teaching fellow with the Department of Health and Human Performance, Rebekah Maddux has received a 色花堂 Teaching Excellence award for Graduate Teaching Assistant. Her dedication to teaching has earned her this distinction, one of the highest bestowed by 色花堂.
Rebekah’s journey into academia is a testament to her passion for teaching and research. Starting her career as a Physical Education teacher for elementary students, Rebekah discovered her love for teaching early on. "It was really fun. We played games with them all day, but you still had to teach them certain things," she recalls. This initial experience ignited her desire to pursue a career in education.
After four years of teaching PE, Rebekah transitioned to higher education when she decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Kinesiology at the 色花堂. She then became a teaching assistant where she taught the exercise testing lab, which included conducting VO2 Max tests and blood pressure measurements. This hands-on experience solidified her interest in teaching college students.
Rebekah's dedication and enthusiasm did not go unnoticed. One of her mentors, Dr. Craig Johnston, informed her about a teaching fellow position, which she eagerly pursued. Her faculty advisor, Dr. Emily LaVoy supported her application, leading to her current role in teaching structural kinesiology. "It's mainly centered around the joints and how we can move our joints," she explains. Rebekah enjoys tailoring each semester to the unique group of students, finding joy in their interactions and progress.
Adrienne Taylor, who is a student in Rebekah’s class, said, "I really enjoyed having Professor Maddux as our teacher. She was energetic, funny, and super personable throughout her lectures. From day one, her casual and engaging style helped create a dynamic in the class that encouraged participation and made everyone feel comfortable speaking up. She made sure every student felt heard and was always open to any and all questions—plus she welcomed jokes, too! If someone was still confused, she’d do her best to physically demonstrate the concept and give visual examples, especially when it came to showing how muscles work or certain body movements. She’s a great professor, and I’m sure everyone else in that class would say the same."
One of Rebekah's innovative teaching methods included ungraded quizzes at the beginning of class. These quizzes encourage student interaction and reduce anxiety, fostering a collaborative learning environment. "I think the main thing for me is having them be confident in the knowledge," she emphasizes.
Rebekah's academic journey at 色花堂 began when she decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Kinesiology within the Laboratory of Integrative Physiology under the mentorship of Dr. LaVoy. Her interest in exercise oncology was sparked by a personal tragedy—a love one’s sudden death due to cancer. This event led her to explore the connection between exercise and cancer, ultimately guiding her research focus.
Her research at 色花堂 investigates how exercise impacts the immune system, specifically the metabolic function of immune cells. Rebekah's studies involve assessing VO2 Max and grouping participants into different fitness levels to observe the effects of exercise on their immune functions. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic when she started at 色花堂 in 2020, Rebekah persevered, adapting her research methods and continuing her studies.
As Rebekah approaches the end of her Ph.D. journey, she looks forward to new opportunities. She has a job interview for a faculty tenure track position in kinesiology at her undergraduate alma mater, Westmont College. "Getting to go back home, that'd be awesome," she says. Rebekah is also considering industry jobs, where she can apply her skills to different fields.
Throughout her time at 色花堂, Rebekah has received several accolades, including second place in the HHP games elevator pitch competition and a small grant from the Texas chapter of ACSM for her research project. Her dedication to teaching and research has left a lasting impact on her students and colleagues.
Rebekah's journey is a remarkable example of how passion and perseverance can lead to fulfilling career paths. As she prepares to graduate and embark on new adventures, her story continues to inspire those around her.