Breon Derby

Dr. Breon Derby is a Spearfish native and alumni of Black Hills State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with minors in health and coaching. After graduation, she taught high school physical education and health education at Lead-Deadwood High School. She earned a Master of Education with emphasis in Physical Education degree from Chadron State College and then took a position in their HPER department. She always dreamed of teaching with her mentor, Dr. Betsy Silva, and that came true when she took a position in the Physical Education Department at BHSU in the fall of 2014. She completed her Doctorate in Health Education in May 2017 and her research interests revolve around wellness.

While at BHSU, she has taught a variety of undergraduate health and physical education courses. Her goal is to create a positive classroom environment where students are comfortable being authentic. In addition to leaving her classroom with more knowledge, she hopes students are empowered to become better people.

She believes in living her life in balance. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and daughters, and attributes her passion for the field of education to her parents, who taught for over a combined 70 years! She is very grateful to have two amazing, supportive, loving parents as personal and professional role models. She loves being active, including running and golfing. She also loves to travel and create memories. She hopes to have a long career at BHSU so she can give back to the students, campus, and community who have given so much to her.