Assessments and Activities for Teaching Swimming

Monica Lepore, EdD, is a professor at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania. A master teacher of adapted aquatics, Dr. Lepore has been an American Red Cross water safety instructor for more than 25 years. She has a degree in leadership in adapted physical education and received the International Swimming Hall of Fame Adapted Aquatics Award in 2001. In 2006 she was named AAHPERD/AAPAR Adapted Physical Education Professional of the Year, and she has been on the Top 100 Aquatics Professionals list twice. She was chair of AAHPERD/AAPAR adapted aquatics from 2000 to 2005 and received a Meritorious Award from the Aquatic Council of AAHPERD/AAPAR in 2005. In her leisure time, Dr. Lepore enjoys swimming, biking, and hiking.

Luis Columna, PhD, is an associate professor in the exercise science and physical education department at Syracuse University. He holds three degrees in adapted physical education and physical education and has been engaged in teaching and scholarship in higher education for the past decade. His background includes teaching physical education in Puerto Rico and adapted physical education in the Denton, Texas, public schools. His research focuses on ways to increase the participation of families of children with disabilities in physical activity. He also studies methods to better prepare teachers to work with diverse populations, including children and their families. At the national level, Dr. Columna has served on numerous committees in several organizations. He was the chairperson for the Adapted Physical Activity Council for SHAPE America (formerly AAHPERD). Columna has given more than 100 workshops and presentations at the international, national, and state levels. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles for books and journals such as Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Journal of Teaching Physical Education; and Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. His hobbies include dancing, varied outdoor activities, and traveling.

Lauren Friedlander Litzner, MS, is a health and physical education teacher in Montgomery County, Maryland. She earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland in physical education with a concentration in adapted physical education. She has a master’s degree in community youth sport development from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has a master’s degree from McDaniel College in physical education with a concentration in athletic administration. During her time in Cortland, Lauren earned the Major of the Year award through AAHPERD as well as Division III All-American status. She has taught nonswimmers and beginning swimmers at UNC Greensboro. She is currently teaching physical education at Piney Branch Elementary School, where she teaches swimming to students in third through fifth grader. Lauren has been a Red Cross water safety instructor since 2010 and is a member of SHAPE America and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. She is also a certified adapted aquatics instructor. Lauren enjoys swimming, playing tennis, teaching, and competing in triathlons.