Exercise & Sport Science Covers All Bases

Five adjuncts assist Head Instructor Sara Woodward

Sara Woodward

Sara Woodward

Sara Woodward serves as the head instructor in the DCTC Exercise and Sport Science program. Woodward began teaching at the college when her program first started in 2002.

She has a master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise physiology from the University of Minnesota. She is currently working on her doctorate in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport psychology.

Woodward holds CSCS and NSCA-CPT certifications through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She is also a certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant through the American Council on Exercise.

She has accrued extensive industry experience, having:

• Worked as a personal trainer at the Minnesota Valley YMCA in Burnsville
• Taught weight training and provided individual training from 1997-2001
• Taught physical activity courses at the University of Minnesota
• Prepared students for national personal training certifications at the World Instructor Training Schools
• Served as the area director for World Instructor Training Schools, or W.I.T.S.
• Conducted health fairs and grade school educational seminars for the Minneapolis Heart Institute

Woodward was honored as the 2007 DCTC Outstanding Teacher of the Year. In 2001, she presented her master’s thesis on women and resistance training at the American College of Sport Medicine National Conference in Baltimore, Md.

Regarding her teaching philosophy, Woodward states, “I believe that it is a teacher’s role to facilitate the learning and success of our students. I support and encourage students to reach their full potential. I believe that all students can be successful if they put forth the effort. My role is to be in partnership with my students with the ultimate goal being their success.”

Working with students is the best part of her job as a DCTC instructor. “I’ve been blessed to work with a variety of students of different ages, races, and nationalities,” she said. “I learn so much from them and their experiences.”

Woodward’s outside interests include resistance training and martial arts.

Brian Waldo

Brian Waldo

With almost 20 years of experience in the health and fitness field, Brian Waldo brings a solid industry perspective to the classes he teaches. “I hope to develop more workshops and continuing education programs for personal trainers,” he said. Waldo also manages his own consulting business, Optimal Health and Performance.

Ryan Meulemans

Ryan Meulemans

Ryan Meulemans serves as a technology, physical education and DAPE teacher at Victoria, Chaska and Clover Ridge Elementary Schools. He also serves as head coach of girls’ soccer and JV golf coach at Chaska High School. Meulemans understands sport science in action, noting that his pastimes include anything having to do with sports or athletics.

Deb Preachuk

Deb Preachuk

The owner and primary instructor of Pilates Integration in Lakeville, Minn., Deb Preachuk is a STOTT PILATES® Comprehensive Level-2 certified instructor and an Egoscue University® Level-II Certified Postural Alignment Specialist. “I specialize in restorative movement in mind, body and spirit,” she said. “Educating students, clients and gym members is my life pursuit and passion.”

Doug Nelson

Doug Nelson

A former certified assistant athletic trainer for the Minnesota Twins, Doug Nelson currently works as a CPR instructor at the Institute for Athletic Medicine and as the certified head athletic trainer at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minn. “I am a speaker on athletic training and sports medicine careers,” he said. “I have been in the athletic training profession for 34 years.”

Torrion Amie

Torrion Amie

The assistant director of the Academic Success Center at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, Torrion Amie has a master’s in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota and was recently accepted into a doctorate program at UW-Stout. “At UWRF, I am the jumps coach,” he said. “I also assist with sprints and combined events for the men and women’s track and field teams. The women won a national championship in 2008.”