2022 National Board of Directors Election Candidate for Vice President

Richard GeldermanRichard Gelderman

Emeritus Professor, Physics & Astronomy, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
gelderman@wku.edu

Education
Ph.D., Astronomy, 1994, University of Virginia
M.A., Astronomy, 1990, University of Virginia
B.S., Physics, 1986, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Professional Experience
Emeritus Professor, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Western Kentucky University (2021 - present)
Director, Hardin Planetarium, Western Kentucky University (2012 – 2021)
Professor, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Western Kentucky University (2008 – 2021)
SKyTeach Science Co-Director, Western Kentucky University (2007 – 2009)
Associate Professor, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Western Kentucky University (2002 – 2008)
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Western Kentucky University (1999 – 2002)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University (1997)
Visiting Asst. Professor, Dept of Physics & Astronomy Western Kentucky University (1996 – 1999)
National Research Council Resident Research Associate, Laboratory for Astronomy & Solar Physics, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (1994 – 1996)
Instructor, Hampden-Sydney College (1993)
Instructor, University of Virginia (1987 – 1991)
Instructor, Piedmont Community College (1986)

Honors and Recognitions
Western Kentucky University, University Faculty Award for Public Service (2020, 2007)
Western Kentucky University, Faculty Award for Public Service, College of Science & Engineering (2020, 2016, 2007, 2002)
American Association of Physics Teachers, Homer L. Dodge Distinguished Service Award (2017)
Kentucky Academy of Science, Excellence Award for Education & Public Outreach (2016)

AAPT Activities

  • Section Representative for Kentucky (2007 – present)
  • Executive Board, Kentucky Association of Physics Teachers (KAPT) (2007 – present)
  • Chair, Committee on Space Science and Astronomy (2019 – 2022)
  • Chair, Committee on Science Education for Public (2015 – 2018)
  • Organizer, KAPT Next Generation Physics Teaching Conference (2015, 2018)
  • Homer L. Dodge Distinguished Service Award (2017)
  • Meetings Committee, sm2017, Covington, KY (2014 – 2017)
  • National Nominating Committee (2013)
  • Membership & Benefits Committee (2009 – 2014)
  • Governance Retreat (2007)

 

Memberships
American Association of Physics Teachers
Physics Teacher Education Coalition
National Science Teachers Association
Kentucky Association of Physics Teachers
Kentucky Academy of Science
American Astronomical Society
International Astronomical Union
Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Other Professional Activities
Bowling Green Science Café, Founder and Oversight Committee (2015 – present)
SKy Science Festival, Founder/Director (2014 – present)
Journal of Astronomy & Earth Sciences Education, Editorial Advisory Board (2013 – present)
Physics Teacher Education Coalition, WKU representative (2006 – present)
Robotically Controlled Telescope (RCT) Consortium Board of Directors (2000 – present)
Observatory Director, 1.3-m Robotically Controlled Telescope (RCT) (1999 – present)
Global Hands-On Universe conference organizing committee (2016)
Kentucky Academy of Science, elected Physical Sciences Representative (2014 – 2018)
US Square Kilometer Array Consortium, Outreach & Education Committee (2010 – 2012)
US Square Kilometer Array Consortium, Executive Committee, WKU representative (2010 – 2012)

Candidate Statement
Tell a stranger I teach physics and the response is almost always going to be about how that person hated physics, or at least that they suffered through their only physics class. In contrast, our association of physics teachers is that happy place where we trust each of us gets it, where we can focus on the many aspects of learning physics and never have to apologize for what captivates us. It would be my honor to be elected to AAPT’s presidential chain as we work to continue this community.

I believe in AAPT and am proud to give back on its behalf. I benefitted from AAPT’s publications before I ever understood there was an AAPT. One of the first actions I pursued after landing my permanent teaching position was to arrange for a lifetime membership. I am still learning about learning, and AAPT continues to be one of the most important resources helping me learn. Those who teach physics tend to reflect on how to more effectively share the amazements of how our world works. My horizons are constantly broadening by listening to our students and to each other. To me, AAPT has always been the leader in physics education, providing resources and encouraging research needed to support every physics educator.

My connections to informal science learning and to K-12 science and math teacher preparation have made me appreciate AAPT’s mission to improve pedagogical skills and physics knowledge of teachers at all levels and to increase our understanding of physics learning and of ways to improve teaching effectiveness. The interface between pedagogical theory and practice is a great feature of our community. I will work hard to support and expand these aspects of AAPT’s mission.

Not that long ago, high school teachers made up the majority of AAPT membership. It is not an easy problem to fix, but we must not write off this loss of representation as unsolvable. Through my repeated terms on our Membership and Benefits committee, we debated how to encourage more high school teachers to join/rejoin AAPT. I praise the recent Aspiring to Lead report’s call to establish paths for existing teacher leaders to contribute their energy and expertise. Getting those paths working is always a challenge. For instance, local physics teachers alliances, such as the grassroots group I work with in Kentucky, are active cells of interest and inspiration that sometimes never connect to statewide or national efforts.

AAPT also strives to increase outreach to and impact on physics teachers and to increase the diversity and numbers of physics teachers and students. It will be a priority for me to continue and expand AAPT’s efforts to be meaningfully inclusive and the welcoming home for all physics educators. The emphasis on inclusion must be common practice at meetings and throughout all AAPT’s activities. When we take best practices back to our students, there is potential to reverse the overall failure of physics regarding acceptance and equity.

If elected to serve on AAPT’s Board of Directors for the next four years, I will support all advances to help our association be the professional society for all those who guide physics learning.