CSTL Staff

Bob Rider was appointed Director of the Center for the Study of Teaching and Learning in 1997. Dr. Rider's academic home is the Department of Physical Education, where he coordinates the Adapted Physical Education Program. In addition to his duties as Center Director, Dr. Rider teaches classes in the Movement Sciences and conducts research involving motor skill acquisition and performance in children and adults with disabilities.

Sherry Thomas, our assistant director, has a varied background in education program administration through over 30 years experience at district, post-secondary and state education agencies. Prior to joining the staff at the Center, Sherry was the director of the Florida Department of Education's Office of Teacher Recruitment where she was responsible for developing and implementing statewide pre-collegiate recruitment programs, national teacher recruitment initiatives, and the Florida Teacher of the Year program.

Millie is a research associate working as project director for the American Heart Association Youth Fitness and Tobacco Prevention Education Program. Most recently, she has been the nutrition education specialist with the Department of Education and president of the Florida School Health Association. She has taught physical education at Louisiana State University and has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Louisiana, Texas and Colorado. She has supervised health education and Drug-Free Schools for Leon County Schools. Millie's extensive background in health also includes a degree in pharmacy from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She is also a volunteer board member with the American Lung Association and volunteers additional time working with the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and Big Bend Cares.