Dr. Robert Snyder earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1991 along with a commission as an Officer in the United States Army Reserve from Slippery Rock University (SRU), where he received the following honors: Magna Cum Laude, Distinguished Military Graduate, Superior Cadet Award, and the George C. Marshall Award. He completed his Master of Education degree in Elementary Science and Mathematics in 1997 at SRU, where he was honored as the Outstanding Graduate Student for his department. In 2001, he received a Ph.D. in Instruction and Learning with an emphasis in Science Education from the University of Pittsburgh. He has served two years as a 5th grade teacher at the North Penn School District, eight years a 6th grade teacher at the Moniteau School District, and is presently in his 16th year as a professor in the Elementary Education Department at SRU.

Previously published works include articles in Science & Children (2012, 2010, 1998) and Science Scope (2005). He also has published book chapters in “Differentiated Instruction” in Barger-Anderson, R., Isherwood, R.S., & Merhaut, J. (2013). Beyond co-teaching: Collaborative learning for all students. Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing and “Developing an Action Research Plan” in Pelton, R.P. (2010). Action research for classroom teachers: Using classroom data to enhance instruction. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing. Dr. Snyder has also received the Pennsylvania Teacher Excellence Award, SRU President’s Award for Teaching Excellence, and Who’s Who Among Teachers Award. Lastly, he has served as a manuscript reviewer for several national journals including: Science and Children, the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, and Mathematics, Science and Technology in Early Childhood Education.

As an officer serving 15 years in the Army Reserve Military Police Corps, Dr. Snyder reached the rank of captain and served one year on active duty as a battalion operations officer for the 400th Military Police Battalion in Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq, his unit provided convoy security between Baghdad and Kuwait, operated seven prisons and jails in Baghdad, and developed training procedures for the Iraqi Police force. He has completed such military schools as: Basic Training, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; Unit Movement Officer Course, Ft. McCoy, WI; the Basic and Advanced Military Police Officer Courses, Ft. McClellan, AL; the Company/Detachment Pre-Command Course, Ft. McCoy, WI; the Physical Security/Crime Prevention Course, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; and the Combined Arms and Services Staff School (Phase I), Coraopolis, PA. He has received high honors including the Army Commendation Medal (while serving as a company commander) and the Bronze Star Medal for Merit (while serving in Iraq).