From Leadership in School Organization to Pragmatic Research in Physical Education Professional Development

About the Book

The making of this book actually hit me a while back when I was working on for my doctoral dissertation. As an educational leadership doctoral student and candidate, I struggled with ideas related to leadership, and therefore, I kept little notes here and there—on papers, computers, cell phone, or in my head. Once, I was reading interesting studies or those that made sense with approaches to leadership. I wrote them down. Later, when it came time to write my dissertation, I struggled along the way. For that reason, I have decided to write the book and to familiarize those who want to write a dissertation or thesis with steps necessary to embark on and pursue to complete such a journey. During one of my trips to France, I shared my ideas with a colleague, Redha, who offered his assistance, expertise, and attention. From that point on, we communicated via email and during my visits to France. The leadership in school organization is written for educational leaders, and the research part of the book is written for students who want to investigate the professional development in physical education. Yet any leader or student can benefit from the general ideas offered here.

About the Author

Dr. Ellie Abdi is a former gymnast, dancer, and coach who is now a faculty and researcher. She has worked in capacity of a teacher, teacher trainer, teacher leader, professional development coordinator and is a member of an urban district's physical and health education leadership team in New Jersey. With the district's partnership Dr. Abdi is a research coordinator and clinical faculty member at Center of Pedagogy in Montclair State University. A research associate and Professeur associé for Groupe de Recherche en Sciences pour l'Ingénieur (GRESPI) at Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne in France and a Content Expert for University of Grand Canyon, School of Doctoral Studies in Arizona are among her other academic endeavors. Furthermore, Dr. Abdi was a Vice President of physical education for New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD, 2016-2018) and now is a member of Diversity and Inclusiveness for SHAPE-America (Society of Health And Physical Education) who presented NJ teachers & students before Congress several times in Washington, DC. She is also a Vice President for Jerome Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation in New York City and director of Scholarship program for Little Falls, New Jersey Democratic Club. Dr. Abdi is an Editorial Board Member for 4 peer-reviewed journals in Turkey, India, Bulgaria, and United States and a review editor for Frontiers International Youth Journal in Switzerland plus an invitee member of scientific committees for many international conferences. A writer and presenter of various papers, keynotes and workshops at international and national scales especially in France, Dr. Abdi holds a Masters of Education in Philosophy for Children from Montclair State University in New Jersey and an Education Doctoral in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University in San Diego, California. Her research, interviews and articles have been published in various international and national journals and sites. Dr. Abdi is the author of Diversity in American Schools and Current Research Issues in Educational Leadership. Dr. Redha Taiar is a Professor at the University of Reims Champaign, France. He was the chief of the Biomechanics Laboratory; vice chairperson for the Sport Science Department, chief of the European Master of Biomechanics, Ergonomics and Clinical Research; chairman of the University Diploma of Podiatric and Ergonomics; and its project manager in Middle East and Latin America. Currently, Dr. Taiar serves as the president of RTBE (Redha Taiar Biomechanical Engineering) Society developed for sport and medical advices. In addition, Dr. Taiar has been the vice president for the Congress of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society (SOFMER) since October 2013 in Reims, France. His research focuses on the engineering for medicine and high performance level in sports, and for this reason, industries such as Arena for the high performing sports, Sidas, and Medicapteur for the medical development consult Dr. Taiar’s expertise. In respect to industry, Dr. Taiar has extensive research on Notrax Society Conception on validation of anti-fatigue mats. As it relates to sports, his work focused on the development of swimsuits for triathlon athletes and swimmers for the Olympic Games in Brazil (2016) and the fabrics of ski suits for skiing competitions for the Olympic Games in Sochi (2014). He is a specialist in biomechanics of health, physical science, and rehabilitation. Dr. Taiar is an editorial board member for Series on Biomechanics Journal in addition to reviewer for Journal of Biomechanics, Journal of Human Movement Science, International Journal of Sports Medicine, The Sport Technology Journal, and Journal of Applied Biomechanics. Dr. Taiar is the inventor of 2 different patents: • Development of knee rehabilitation tools for high-level performing athletes and pathological subjects. • The conception of new shoes for high-level performing athletes and pathological subjects.