Allison Jackson is an assistant professor in Samford University’s School of Health Professions Department of Kinesiology. An educator for 33 years, she has been a member of the Samford faculty since 2005. Before joining Samford, she taught elementary and middle school physical education and coached high school softball. She is the co-creator of the Disability, Health and Physical Activity program, which prepares students to provide health care and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities. Jackson is passionate about mentoring students as they discover their professional calling in the health professions, with a focus on inclusion, accessibility and innovative approaches to physical activity. Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking, camping and spending time outdoors with her husband, Mark Jackson. They have two sons: one attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the other a senior at Heritage Christian Academy.

Degrees and Certifications

• PhD, sport pedagogy, University of Alabama
• MEd, physical education, Auburn University at Montgomery
• BSE, physical education, Auburn University at Montgomery
• Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate, The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• Inclusive Fitness Trainer Certificate
• National Center for Health and Physical Activity for People with Disabilities (ACSM & NCHPAD)

Expertise

• Motor development and inclusion of students with disabilities in physical education, childhood obesity

Awards and Honors

• Honor Award, Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Recreation Professional of the Year

Involvement

• Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, board of directors
• Society for Health and Physical Educators of America, leadership council
• International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity

Recent Presentations

• Jackson, A. & Sinelnikov, O. (2015). Voices of Students with Disabilities and their Participation in a Season of Sport Education, SHAPE America National Convention, Seattle, WA.

• Jackson, A. (2018). From the Classroom to Physical Education: Ways to Integrate the Curriculum in K-8 Physical Education. June 26, 2018, Alabama State Department of Education Physical Education Summer Workshop, 4H Center, Columbiana.

• Jackson, A. Mock Interview Session for the Future Professional. (2015). Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Fall Conference.

• Jackson, A., Marshall, M, Wilbanks, S. "The Effect of Disability Education among College Students' Attitudes and Perceptions of People with Disabilities in Society" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 19. https://sword.cit.ie/isapa/2025/day2/19

Research Areas

• Including Students with Disabilities in Physical Education