Division of Kinesiology and Health

Background & Research Interests 

Dr. Kelly Simonton is an Assistant Professor of Physical Education Teaching Education in the Division of Kinesiology and Health at the University of Wyoming. His research focus revolves around achievement motivation in physical education and physical activity, specifically as it relates to student and teacher emotions and their motivational effects. His primary interests involve understanding the influence of emotion and motivation as well as the essential antecedents and outcomes of emotions in these settings. Subsequently, his research includes exploration into understanding teacher effectiveness, student value, and behavioral outcomes. Other interests include secondary Physical Education curriculum development and Physical Education Teacher Education training.

 

Research Gate: Kelly L Simonton (researchgate.net)

Google Scholar: ‪Kelly L. Simonton‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬

Curriculum Vita

Pedagogical Sciences Research Lab

 

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Louisiana State University- Kinesiology (emphasis in Pedagogical and Psychological Science)

M.S. Louisiana State University- Kinesiology (emphasis in Pedagogical and Psychological Science)

B.S. University of Wyoming- Kinesiology (emphasis in Physical Education Teaching)

 

RECENT RESEARCH

Recent Publications:

Simonton, K. L., Wallhead, T., & Kern, B. (In press). Relationships between students’ emotional experiences and cognitive and physical achievement during a middle school hybrid Sport Education Tactical Model season. Journal of Teaching Physical Education.

Simonton, K. L., Shiver, V, N., Gray, A., Juarez, K., & Simonton, A. (2024). Targeting social-emotional learning and activity attitudes during afterschool programming post COVID-19 restrictions. Journal of Youth Development, 19, 46-56.

Simonton, K. L., Shiver, T., & Simonton, A. (2024). How teachers feel: Exploring secondary physical educators’ emotions, control beliefs, and coping mechanisms on the job. Sport, Education and Society, 29, 371-384.

Simonton, K. L., Mercier, K., Richards, K. A. R., & Gaudreault, K. (2023). The association of perceived mattering and teacher emotions with physical educator teacher resilience. European Physical Education Review, 29, 582-600.

Simonton, K. L., & Layne, T. (2023). Investigating middle school students physical education emotions, emotional antecedents, self-esteem, and intentions for physical activity. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 42, 757-766.

Simonton, K. L., Garn, A. C., & Mercier, K. (2023). Expanding the discrete emotions in physical education scale (DEPES): Evaluating emotions with behavior and learning. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 94, 35-44.

Simonton, K. L., Richards, K. A. R., & Washburn, N. S. (2021). Understanding emotion in physical education teaching: A conceptual framework for research and practice. Quest, 73, 306-322.

Simonton, K. L., Mercier, K., Centeio, E., Barcelona, J., Phillips, S., & Garn, A. C. (2021). Development of Youth Physical Activity Attitude Scale (YPAAS) for elementary and middle school students. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 25, 110-126.

 

Research Grants:

2024 Child Health Program Title V Funding. Wyoming Department of Health (Public Health Division). Wyoming PE Teacher Training: Building and sustaining physical activity and personal-social development in students with and without special needs. $31,927.00 (PI: Dr. Kelly Simonton).

2023-24 Wyoming Community Foundation. Healthy Pokes Afterschool Program: Supporting Wyoming students’ personal, social, emotional, and physical health and development. $5,000.00. (PI: Dr. Kelly Simonton)

2022-23 Early Career Research Grant, The Spectrum Institute for Teaching and Learning (SITL) Grants Program. $5,000.00. (PI: Dr. Kelly Simonton; Co-PI: Dr. Kanae Haneishi).

2022 Presidential Scholar Research Grant Award, Selected by the President of the University of Wyoming and the College of Health Sciences, University of Wyoming. $5,000.00.

2022-24 Wyoming Department of Education- ESSER II SEA Reserve SEL and Mental Health Initiative Grant, The UW Physical Activity and Social-Emotional Learning (PASEL) Program for Elementary Students. $235,143.00. (PI: Dr. Kelly Simonton; Co-PI: Dr. Victoria Shiver).

 

TEACHING

• KIN 5018 Psychology of Teaching Physical Education
• KIN 5016 Analysis & Supervision in Physical Education & Kinesiology
• KIN 3015 Laboratory II Practicum Teaching
• KIN 3011 Methods of Teaching and Curriculum in Physical Education
• KIN 2001 Movement Core I: Sport & Games in Physical Education

 

SERVICE