The Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia

By the sound of the nomination letters prepared by some of her current and former students, the feeling is mutual. Boyce is the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Professor Award sponsored by the Curry School of Education Foundation.

“Dr. Boyce is dedicated to helping all students reach their full potential,” wrote doctoral student, Amanda Love Campbell. “One has only to observe her teaching to notice her enthusiasm, preparedness, and attention to detail. Dr. Boyce holds high expectations for her students and motivates them to meet these expectations through her positive attitude and passion for teaching.”

Boyce has been on the faculty of the Curry School’s Department of Kinesiology since 1989. She was attracted to Curry by the five-year program and extensive clinical experience opportunities for future teachers. Since her arrival, she has also developed a doctoral level program in pedagogy as well as several masters’ level degree options.

“With the rising obesity and Type 2 diabetes rates among our nations’ children,” Boyce says, “the need to prepare highly qualified future health and physical education teachers who truly care about their children’s lifestyle choices is of vital importance to the health of our nation’s youth.”

Well-known by her students for practicing what she preaches about fitness, Boyce plays on a recreational softball team with the kinesiology department doctoral students. Currently, her favorite sport is golf, although in the past she has favored shooting , martial arts, and sailing. Boyce volunteers with the First Tee program on Saturdays, a youth development program for 5 to 15 year olds that teaches life skills such as integrity, responsibility, and perseverance through the vehicle of golf. “Golf is all about etiquette and persistence,” she says, “and it’s so hard.”

Boyce says she has always loved physical activity and has long believed that physical fitness can enhance people’s lives. She has devoted her career to preparing outstanding teachers of physical education, mentoring future physical education teacher educators through the doctoral program, and conducting ongoing research on important school-related physical education issues. She is currently conducting a study at a local private school that examines the types of motivational climates sports coaches create and the impact these environments have on middle school students’ goal orientations, practice strategies, and perceived level of competence.