Dr. Kristen M. Ford

Associate Professor Education, Master of Education
Dr. Kristen Ford is a dedicated, passionate, and accomplished educator, researcher, and advocate for health and physical education based in Moorhead, Minnesota. As an associate professor at Concordia College, her career has been marked by a steadfast commitment to improving the educational landscape and promoting the well-being of both students and teachers. Her innovative teaching methods, dedication to professional service, and influential contributions to her community make her a prominent figure in the field of physical education and health.
 
Dr. Ford teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs at Concordia. She is the director of both the K-12 physical education and health programs at Concordia College. She has had a profound impact on the curriculum and pedagogy within these areas, consistently pushing for innovative and engaging teaching strategies to benefit ALL students at every level.
 
Born and raised in the Fargo-Moorhead area, Dr. Ford's journey into education began at her alma mater, Concordia College, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Health. Her academic pursuits then led her to the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, where she completed her master's degree in School Health Education. Her insatiable passion for wellness and human development ultimately culminated in the attainment of her Ph.D. in Human Development from North Dakota State University.
 
Dr. Ford's early professional career was grounded in the classroom, spending five years as a dedicated K-12 teacher in North Branch (MN), instructing students in physical education, health, and first aid. She also shared her wisdom and expertise through coaching various sports, further fostering her love for education, health, and wellness.
 
Dr. Ford’s research interests are dedicated to engagement, best practices, active and cooperative learning, movement in the classroom, and quality pedagogy (as well as health and physical education pedagogy.  Kristen has co-authored a six-part health education series dedicated to skills-based health education. The titles of the articles in the series are as follows:
  • Article 1: Introducing FUSED a Health Education Teaching Model
  • Article 2: Let’s Have a SPA Day Every Day! Organizations and Specialized Professional Associations (SPA)
  • Article 3:  Adding Character to Our Health Education Curriculum
  • Article 4: Standards, Statutes, and Data, Oh My! 
  • Article 5: ‘THE’ Toolbox: Journals, Resources, and Tools
  • Article 6: Make Learning Visible in Health Education
Furthermore, she is a co-trainer and instructional designer for SchoolsAlive!, a program that focuses on empowering educators to promote active, healthy lifestyles both in and out of school. Her dedication to this initiative has earned her the distinction of being a two-time recipient of the prestigious Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) Breakthrough Idea Challenge grant, which supports innovative projects that have transformed the field of education and health and their approach to Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAPs).
 
Dr. Ford takes great delight in imparting her enthusiasm for pedagogy through organizing professional development workshops tailored for K-12 educators and administrators. Her expertise has been showcased at an array of events, ranging from local and regional gatherings to national and international conferences.
 
Beyond her academic and professional accomplishments, Dr. Ford has made significant contributions to her community by being a weekly contributor to The Forum, where she authored a segment called Cobber Wellness Corner. In this column, she shared valuable insights and strategies for enhancing well-being, with a particular focus on the importance of the benefits of physical activity by implementing brain boosts and various types of movement in the classroom.
 
Dr. Ford's leadership extends beyond the classroom, as she has been an active member of both the MNSHAPE Leadership Board and the Central District Leadership Board of SHAPE America. Her dedication to her field is evident not only through her research and teaching but also through her involvement in these professional organizations, which aim to advance health and physical education standards across the nation.
 
In addition to her professional endeavors, Kristen and her husband, Joe (a Cobber alumnus and dean of students at Discovery Middle School), have two wonderful (energetic!) boys, Soren and Bennett.
Contact

Dr. Kristen M. Ford

Associate Professor Old Main – 208