Craigory Nieman

Dr. Craigory Nieman serves as an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Physical Education within the College of Education at the University of South Florida, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in physical education and athletic coaching while supervising preservice teachers during clinical placements. He coordinates the minors in athletic coaching and science of physical activity, and leads the Homeschool Elementary PE program on the USF Tampa campus.

His academic credentials include:

• B.S. in Physical Education from Ohio University
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tampa
• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with Teacher Education concentration and physical education emphasis from University of South Florida

Dr. Nieman's research centers on preparing physical education teachers for diverse student populations through culturally responsive pedagogy, with emphasis on urban school environments, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and barrier reduction in physical activity. His work develops curricular models that prioritize engagement and meaning-making across varied community contexts, bridging theoretical frameworks with practical classroom applications through teacher inquiry methodologies.

Analysis of his 2019-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in culturally responsive teaching efficacy among physical education teacher education alumni, novice teacher development in urban settings, and systemic barriers affecting marginalized youth in sport. His scholarship integrates mixed-methods approaches to examine implementation challenges while proposing evidence-based solutions for inclusive physical education programming.

His distinguished honors include:

• 2016 SHAPE America Outstanding Major of the Year
• 2022 SHAPE America Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship

Dr. Nieman actively mentors preservice teachers during clinical placements and coordinates academic minors that bridge theory with practice. His professional service extends to consultation for the Florida Department of Education, SHAPE America, and the Association for Teacher Education, while his conference presentations at AERA, AIESEP, and SHAPE America conventions demonstrate national leadership in physical education pedagogy.

Through collaborations with SHAPE America, AIESEP, and state education agencies, he contributes to curriculum development initiatives and teacher preparation standards, focusing on creating sustainable partnerships between university programs and K-12 school systems to address evolving community needs in physical education.