Gylton Da Matta Ph.D.

Gylton Da Matta Ph.D.Education

  • 2004 Ph.D., University of South Carolina, SC
  • 1999 M. A., Appalachian State University , Boone, NC
  • 1986 B.S. & Licenciature in Physical Education – UFMG Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil

Professional Experience

  • 1986 – 1996  Physical Educator, Athletic Director and Olympic Sports Coach in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • 1996 – 1999  Graduate Teaching Assistant, HLES, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
  • 1999- 2004  Teaching and Research Assistant, University of South Carolina, SC.
  • 2004 – 2005  Executive Director for Sports Program Development at Plex Indoor Sports, Columbia, SC.
  • 2005 – 2007  Assistant Professor of Pedagogy/ Head Volleyball Coach at Newberry College, SC.
  • 2007 – 2009  Assistant Professor of Health & Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA.
  • 2009 -  Visiting Professor of Education, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
  • 2009 -  Present Assistant Professor of Physical Education Pedagogy, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO.

Teaching Areas

  • EDFE 170 Teaching Practicum
  • SES 170 Physical Education Pedagogy – Introduction Field Based Experiences
  • SES 200 Pedagogy of Physical Activity – Instructional Models Weight/ Conditioning
  • SES 241 Secondary Physical Education – Teacher Education
  • SES 340 Teaching Physical Education – Methods
  • SES 342 Teaching Physical Education – Methods
  • 508 Technology in Physical Education
  • SES 694 Bridging Theory and Practice in Sports Coaching
  • Supervising of Student Teachers
  • Study Abroad and International Education in Sports
  • Sports Philosophy, Sports Sociology

Research Interests

  • Multicultural Education in Teaching & Coaching Expertise
  • Sport Technology and the Use of Technology by Physical Educators and Coaches.
  • Expertise Development in Sports and Long Term Athletes’ Development.
  • International Education and Democratic Praxis in the Classroom.
  • Cultural Aspects of Physical Activity and Applied Motor Behavior.
  • Olympic Education, Olympic Village and Motor Performance Environment

Selected Presentations

Da Matta, G. (1990) Environmental Education and Ecological Awareness through Psychological Preparation of Elite Volleyball Players. Proceedings of the II International Symposium of Sports Psychology, International Society of Sports Psychology, UMFG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.  

Da Matta, G., & French, K. (2005) The Influence of Deliberate Practice and Social Support Systems on the Development of Expert and Intermediate Women Volleyball Players in Brazil.  NASPE, National AAHPERD Conference, Chicago, IL.

Da Matta, G.  (2006) Modeling the Experts: Developing Teaching Progressions Based on Expertise Research. NASPE- National Academy of Motor Learning/ Motor Development.  National AAHPERD Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, April 2006. 

Da Matta, G.  (2007, April). The role of physical education teachers in the democratization process of schools in post-dictatorship in Brazil.  National AERA Convention, American Education Research Association. In the National Forum on  Democratic  Practices in Education. Teachers as Agent of Change; Running against  the Wind by Jennings, L., & Da Matta, G. (Chairs).  

Da Matta, G.  (2009, March). International Sports Pedagogy Symposium. Best Praxis in Physical Education and Coaching Sports. (1) Experts in Action: How to Teach Volleyball in Schools; Inclusion, Developmentally Appropriated and Teaching Effectiveness from K-12. (2) Teacher Education and Coaching Education Expertise Models in Denmark, Brazil and the United States. (3) Reflections from Paralympics and U.S. Medal Achievements in 2008 Summer Olympics. (4) Transforming Clay into Gold; Injury Prevention Strategies and other World Class Training Principles from Women Gold Medalists in Beijing 2008. NASPE National Convention,, AAHPERD, Tampa, FL.

Selected Publications

Da Matta, G., & Metzler, J. (2009) Who is coaching our experts? Comparison of International  Elite Women Volleyball Players’ Experiences of Coaches’ Expertise throughout Career.  Proceeding of 2009 International Society of Sport Psychology, ISSP, Marrakesh, Morroco.

Jennings, L. & Da Matta, G.  (2008). Rooted in Resistance: “Educadoras” Creating Democratic School Practices in Post-Authoritarian Brazil.  In Press at the Journal of Teaching Education. 

Da Matta, G., &  Turner, E. (1999) Spectator Demographics and the Impact of the Rally Scoring System and Other Possible Rule Changes on Spectators at an Intercollegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament.  Coaching Volleyball Journal of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. February/March Edition. 

Da Matta, G., & French, K. (in Submission) Career Paths and Practice Histories of Expert and Intermediate Women Volleyball Players in Brazil.  Submitted to Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Journal.

Internal Grants Awarded

Da Matta, G.  (2007, March). Georgia’s Provost Internal Grant (2007) Coaching Education Reach Out and Mentoring Coaches for Underprivileged Populations in Urban and Rural Areas. (US$ 3,500.00). 

Community Service

Statesboro Viva Volleyball and Sports Fitness Program; Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Club in 2007 and 2008 with an outstanding qualification to USA Nationals in both years.
Boys and Girls Club of America, 2007-2008 – Teaching team sports, multicultural sports and recreational games. Youth Sports Program for underprivileged communities and migrant workers.

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