Sonia Tinsley
Dr. Tinsley has spent over 29 years in education, 24 of those years have been in higher education teaching in the field of health education. Dr. Tinsley’s education includes a B.S. from Louisiana State University, M.Ed. in Health Promotion from Northwestern State University and a Ph.D. in Health Studies from Texas Woman’s University. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist.
Throughout her career, Dr. Tinsley has partnered with other institutions, non-profit organizations, and school districts to implement coordinated school health initiatives and improve the health of pre-k through 12th grade students. She has secured grants to train physical education teachers to use the Center for Disease Control’s School Health Index, the Action for Healthy Kids Wellness Policy Tracker, and the Cooper Institute’s Fitnessgram assessment for physical education programs. Dr. Tinsley has created and implemented physical activity programs at the community level along with renovating a fitness trail to meet the requirements to qualify as a national demonstration site for Adult Fitness Parks.
Over the years, Dr. Tinsley has received several distinguished awards for her teaching and service to the profession of health education. In 2011, she was named the College Health Educator of the Year for the Southern District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Areas of research include promoting physical activity in the community, teacher stress, college athletes and stress, worksite wellness and coordinated school health. Dr. Tinsley joined Walden’s faculty in 2011, teaching courses in the B.S. in Health Sciences program.
Courses Taught
HLTH 1000 - Concepts of Health Promotion
HLTH 4360 - Stress Management and Wellness
Education
BS, Louisiana State University
MEd, Northwestern State University
PhD, Texas Woman's University
Public Service
Step Up, CENLA, Organizer -
Awards / Honors
Southern District Health, Physical Education, , 2011
Louisiana Health, Physical Education, Recreation, , 2009
Excellence in Teaching Northwestern State University, , 2009
Presentations
Tinsley, S. C. (2018). Best Practices for Classroom Management in a Physical Education Class. Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Tinsley, S. (2018). Effects of High-Intensity Physical Activity on Preadolescents’ Reading Achievement. Society of Health and Physical Educators
Tinsley, S. (2017). Physical Activity + Healthy Diet = Academic Achievement. Northeastern State University, College of Education and Kappa Delta Pi
Tinsley, S., Gallien, T. L. (2013). A diet and physical activity initiative in a rural area. . American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Tinsley, S. (2022). Applying CHES Responsibilities in Community Health. Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance
Tinsley, S. (2022). Step It Up; Communities, Schools, and Worksites,. Society for Health and Physical Educators
Tinsley, S. (2019). Strategies to Connect with Students in the PK-16 Classroom. Society for Health and Physical Educators
Tinsley, S. (2021). Wellness in the Workplace – Managing Stress through Nutrition and Physical Activity. . Louisiana Christian University