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Sports Administration and Movement Education
Dr. Martha James
Associate Professor, Sports Administration and Movement Education
Office: Hurt 100A
Phone: 443-885-3498
martha.james@morgan.edu
EDUCATION
Doctorate in Critical Pedagogy with concentration in Curriculum and Instruction; University of St. Thomas-Minneapolis.
Masters in Education with a concentration in Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning; Hamline University, St. Paul, MN.
BS in Kinesiology; University of Wisconsin-Madison
Biography:
Dr. Martha James is an Associate Professor in Morgan State University's School of Education and Urban Studies, where she champions a bold vision for continuous improvement in public education. Her work emphasizes rigorous, interdisciplinary teacher preparation, culturally fluent teaching, and the holistic development of children and youth. She is recognized for her expertise in professional learning and development, developmentally appropriate interdisciplinary instruction, cultural fluency, and educational leadership. Dr. James also leads innovation in AI-driven continuous improvement systems that empower teachers to refine their practice with clarity and agency. She is a certified life and leadership coach, founder of an education technology company, Ironman finisher, and devoted mother.
Research Interest:
Dr. Martha James’s research examines how interdisciplinary, developmentally appropriate teaching practices—particularly in Encore Content Areas—strengthen teacher agency, cultural fluency, and the holistic development of joyful learners. She investigates High-Leverage Teacher Actions (HLTAs) as catalysts for instructional quality and continuous improvement across K–12 settings. Central to her work is the design of AI-supported observation and feedback tools that make instructional practice more visible, equitable, and actionable for educators. Her scholarship also explores movement-based learning, professional learning design, and systems that elevate teachers as experts of their craft.
Publications:
- Rice, L. C., Deronda, A. C., Kiran, S., Seidl, K., Brown, K., Rosch, K. S., James, M., & Mostofsky, S. H. (2023). Mindful movement intervention applied to at-risk urban school children for improving motor, cognitive, and emotional-behavioral regulation. Mindfulness, 1–11.
- Hodge, S., James, M., & Vigo-Valentin, A. (2022). HQPE: Exploring the Role of Physical Education in Facing America’s Educational Debt. In Handbook of Urban Educational Leadership (2nd ed.).
- James, M. (2021). It is a Movement, not a Moment: Utilizing Hope Theory to Situate Kinesiology in the Path for Social Justice. Quest, 73(2), 123–137.
- James-Hassan, M. & Brush, M. (2019). Multitasking: An example of community partnerships meeting the dynamic needs of urban public schools. In State of Black Baltimore 2019. Greater Baltimore Urban League.
- DiGiacinto, K., Culp, B., Hersman, B., James-Hassan, M., & Johnson, B. (2019). Navigating the Waters: Lessons Learned from Junior PETE Faculty Members. International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education.
- Lindquist, B., James-Hassan, M., & Lindquist, N. (2019). Creative movement puts the A in STEAM² (2nd ed.). In Case Studies in STEAM Education. IGI Global.
- James-Hassan, M. (2018). 50 Million Strong by 2029: Cultural Fluency. Physical and Health Education America.
- James-Hassan, M. (2016). Cultivating Culturally Fluent Leaders for the Future of Kinesiology. Quest, 68(2), 159–169.
- Culp, B. & James-Hassan, M. (2016). The Black experience in North America: Implications for physical education. In Critical Pedagogy within Physical Education. Canadian Scholars Press.
- Hodge, S. & James-Hassan, M. (2014). African American Males and Physical Education. In African American Male Students in PreK–12 Schools: Informing Research, Practices, and Policy. Emerald Group Publishing.
Courses Taught:
Graduate:
- EDSR 517 – Action Research in the Classroom
Undergraduate:
- PHEC 498 – The Organization and Administration of Physical Education
- EDUC 488 – Student Teaching (Dual Experience: Art, Music, Physical Education)
- ELED 479 – Elementary Methods in Art, Music, and Physical Education Instruction
- PHEC 404 – Perceptual Motor Development PHEC 401 – Movement Education
- PHEC 359 – Psychosocial Dimensions of Sports
- PHEC 326 – Adapted Physical Education
- RECR 315 – Community Recreation
- EDUC 435 – Methods and Materials of Teaching Physical Education
- PHEC 250 – Yoga Beginning
- PHEC 200 – Foundations and Principles of Physical Education
- PHEC 148 – Physical Education Concepts and Evaluation
- PHEC 123 – Jogging