Teaching Artifacts
Teaching Philosophy
Focuses on empowering adult learners through connection, relevance, and reflection.
Teaching Artifact #3
The Readiness Reset: Sleep, Stress, and Pain Management for Tactical Performance
Summer 2026
EXSC 9500 - Evidence-Based Professional Portfolio III
Abstract
The Readiness Reset: Sleep, Stress, and Pain Management for Tactical Performance was an educational presentation delivered at the Tactical and Occupational Performance (TOP) Conference for military personnel, veterans, first responders, law enforcement professionals, and the health and performance practitioners who support tactical populations. The presentation examined how sleep, stress, and pain interact to influence readiness, recovery, performance, and the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Rather than addressing these factors as independent issues, the session positioned them as interconnected contributors to an individual's capacity to perform, recover, and adapt physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Instructional design emphasized conceptual integration, practical application, and learner engagement through discussion, reflection, audience polling, and experiential activities. Participants were encouraged to apply evidence-informed principles related to sleep health, stress regulation, pain science, and recovery within their own operational and professional contexts. The session was attended by 48 participants representing diverse tactical and healthcare disciplines. It generated extensive post-presentation discussion, and thus far, ten follow-up emails, and three subsequent meetings, focused on applying the readiness framework within units, organizations, and professional practice settings. This artifact contributes to the ongoing effort to translate evidence into practice by reframing readiness as a function of recovery capacity rather than effort alone and by highlighting the role of behavioral factors in supporting tactical performance, resilience, and long-term health.
Keywords: sleep, stress, pain, readiness, tactical performance, recovery
Teaching Artifact #2
The Readiness Reset: Sleep, Stress, and Pain Management for Health
Spring 2026
EXSC 9250 - Evidence-Based Professional Portfolio II
Abstract
The Readiness Reset: Sleep, Stress, and Pain Management for Health was a virtual educational session during the National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) Virtual Fit Fest Conference for health and fitness professionals. The session examined how sleep, stress, and pain interact to affect readiness, recovery, and performance. Instead of seeing plateaus or ongoing discomfort as failures of motivation or training design, it redefined these challenges as physiological readiness issues influenced by sleep biology, stress physiology, and pain neuroscience. The teaching approach emphasized practical application, helping participants turn complex scientific ideas into client-centered strategies that foster sustainable performance and long-term health. The session included interactive discussion, reflective questions, and practical tools such as a Personal Energy and Readiness Audit to encourage engagement and real-world use. Participant outcomes were evaluated through attendance, participation in discussions, and post-session feedback surveys. This effort aligns with the author’s professional vision, mission, and research interests by translating interdisciplinary health research into practical education for professionals in the field. It also shows ongoing growth as a health educator committed to advancing evidence-based teaching practices that support readiness, resilience, and long-term well-being.
Keywords: sleep, stress, pain management, readiness, fitness education
Teaching Artifact #1
The Readiness Reset: Sleep, Stress, and Pain Management for Health
Fall 2025
EXSC 9150 - Evidence-Based Professional Portfolio I
Abstract
The Readiness Reset: Sleep, Stress, and Pain Management for Health, a virtual educational session designed to enhance understanding of the link between sleep, stress, and injury prevention among military personnel. The 90-minute session, consisting of one hour of instruction and 30 minutes of discussion, was delivered in collaboration with Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Physical Health and Wellness program. It aligns with the broader goal of emphasizing lifestyle, recovery, and resilience as key elements of readiness and long-term health. Learning outcomes aimed to clarify the physiological and behavioral connections among sleep, stress, and pain, while promoting evidence-based strategies for improvement. Participants engaged through polls, reflection, and discussion, utilizing adult learning principles and technology to encourage interaction and practical application. This Executive Summary highlights alignment with professional values, pedagogical approach, assessment methods, and feedback processes that support ongoing educational growth. This artifact contributes to continuous development as a reflective practitioner, enhancing both leadership skills and involvement with the Scholarship of Teaching artifact.
Keywords: sleep, stress, pain management, military personnel, education