Benjamin Wixon, M.A.Ed. Skateboarding Expert & Professional Educator

Benjamin Wixon, Skateboarding Expert & Professional Educator

Ben Wixon is a skateboarding expert, recreation professional, and certified teacher with more than twenty years of experience providing guidance, instruction, and support to skateboarders, recreation programs, facility operators, and school students. He applies his expertise to forensic investigations involving skateboarding incidents, educational-related disputes, as well as recreational and camp settings.

Ben Wixon is the master trainer for Nike Skateboarding, a recreation leader with Portland Parks and Recreation, director of development for Skaters for Portland Skateparks, a published author, and middle school teacher in Portland Oregon.

Education & Recreation Expert Witness Investigations

Ben earned his Master of Education degree in 2002 and has been working professionally as a public school teacher since 1999. Specializing in English as a Second Language for grades k-12, Ben has had the opportunity to work with students at all levels of academic achievement and socioeconomic status. In addition to instruction, supervision and program development, Ben has experience in and has completed training specific to a broad range of specialized topics, such as risk management, child abuse, sexual misconduct, bullying, and crisis management.

Ben has also worked extensively with afterschool programs and camps beginning in 1990 as a camp counselor for the YWCA USA. Since then he has supervised, instructed, and managed recreational camps and programs in a variety of settings and formats including; afterschool programs, day camps, instructional camps, and traditional overnight camps. During his work with camps his responsibilities included instructing and organizing sports activities, assessing and treating minor injuries, supervising and hiring staff, chaperoning field trips and offsite activities, and facilitating special events.

Skateboarding Expert Witness Investigations

Ben provides investigations, reports, and testimony in matters involving skateboarder actions; skatepark design and management; and the administration of skate events, camps, and competitions. His background in both skateboarding and education makes him a uniquely qualified expert in the skateboarding industry.

An avid skater for more than thirty years, Ben has competed in numerous World Cup events and qualified for the Van's World Amateur Championships in 2002, the same year he completed his Masters of Education at Arizona State University. He has built skateparks, taught and managed both public and private skateboarding camps, judged competitions, and helped numerous organizations develop skateboarding curricula and programs including Nike Skateboarding; Skaters for Public Skateparks; Portland Parks and Recreation; the cities of Chandler, Tempe, and Phoenix, Arizona; YMCA of the USA; Portland Public Schools; Cartwright School District; Windell's Snowboard Camp; and Site Design Group Skateparks.

Professional Experience

Robson Forensic, Inc.

Associate

2013 to present

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving:

  • Teaching and instruction
  • Programming and curriculum design
  • Program administration
  • Camp supervision and management
  • Student and child supervision
  • Classroom management
  • Behavior interventions
  • Second language instruction
  • Staff management
  • Recruiting and training staff
  • School safety
  • Coaching
  • Camp supervision and after school programming

Portland Public School District

Certified Teacher, ESL/Social Studies

2003 to present
  • Teacher of english as second language at multiple sites to all levels of language proficiency in grades K-12
  • Taught social studies and language arts at the Secondary Level
  • Served as a member of the ESL department’s English Language Development
  • Committee working to design district wide scheduling model for ESL students in 2009
  • Sponsored and created model for Afterschool Skateboarding Clubs at multiple school sites 2003-13
  • Initiated, sponsored, and supervised Afterschool Skateboarding Club 2003-Present
  • Member of Portland Association of Teachers Bargaining Committee 2012-13

NIKE SB/Nike Better World Foundation

Master Trainer

2011 to present
  • Authored instructor’s manual for Honor Roll Skateboarding After School Program
  • Created training model for Honor Roll Skateboard Instructors
  • Conducted trainings of Honor Roll Skateboarding Instructors for the U.S. and International Programs in Europe, Asia, and Latin America

Portland Parks and Recreation, Portland, OR

Recreation Leader and Skatepark Consultant

2003 to present
  • Initiated, supervised, and instructed skateboarding lessons for after school programs, public skateparks, and community centers
  • Supervised and managed summer camps
  • Set up for and instructed recreational activities and sports.
  • Supervised staff and chaperoned off-site trips and activities
  • Administered first aid
  • Helped design and facilitate special events and competitions for public skateparks and programs
  • Recruited and Acquired sponsors and underwriters for programs and events
  • Trained Instructional Staff for city wide skateboarding program
  • Presented professional development to Recreation Staff and Management
  • Collaborated and consulted on public skatepark issues regarding; proposed park site, facility design and policies, maintenance, event management, instructional programming, and shared usage

Skaters for Public Skateparks

Director of Development, Programming and Instruction

2010 to present
  • Created drop in Skatepark Instructor Accreditation program
  • Facilitated staff trainings for municipalities, public programs, and camps
  • Consulted with community organizations regarding public skateparks and skateboard programming

U.S. Skate Department/Amid East, Municipality of Aglanzia. Nicosia, Cyprus

Skatepark Advisor

2011
  • Consulted and worked with public officials and architects to create conceptual skatepark design and programming model

Maui Family YMCA, Maui, HI

Skate Camp Manager and Head Coach (Summers)

2002 to 2004
  • Managed, Supervised, and Instructed Summer Skateboarding Camps and Lessons for Maui County skateparks operated and managed by the Y.M.C.A.
  • Supervised off site trips to public beaches, swimming pools, and county facilities.
  • Served on Y.M.C.A of the U.S.A Task Team working to outline National Skateboarding Program and create a Technical Assistance Paper for Y.M.C.A skateboarding programs and skateparks
  • Created curricula and programming models for teaching lessons and camps
  • Trained staff and helped facilitate special events and demonstrations

Site Design Group Skateparks, Tempe, AZ

Skatepark Manager and Builder

2001 to 2003
  • Hired and trained instructional staff
  • Supervised students and staff
  • Coordinated activity registrations, drop offs and pick ups
  • Designed, managed, and instructed lessons and programs
  • Supervised skatepark construction
  • Constructed skateparks
  • Facilitated programming partnership with Tempe Parks and Recreation

Tempe and Cartwright School Districts, Tempe/Phoenix, AZ

Public School Teacher

1999 to 2001
  • Taught ESL, language arts, and social studies to “at-risk” students at the secondary level
  • Initiated afterschool skateboarding club 1999-2000
  • Coached middle school basketball team in 2002

Windell's Action Sports Camp, Mt. Hood, OR

Skate Camp Manager/Park Builder/Grounds Supervisor

1997 to 2000
  • Managed staff and instructed students
  • Chaperoned off site activities and events
  • Organized and supervised camp recreation activities and special events
  • Created programming and instructional models for teaching skateboarding
  • Hired and trained instructional staff for skateboarding programs
  • Supervised camp Grounds and Maintained skateboarding facility
  • Constructed skateboarding ramps and obstacles
  • Member of “on hill” staff constructing and maintaining snowboard terrain
  • Collaborated and worked with management and staff to modify facilities and policies in order to earn American Camping Association Accreditation

Arizona Snowbowl, Flagstaff, AZ

Snowboard Instructor/Terrain Park Crew

1996 to 1998

Taught group and private snowboard lessons to all levels of ability. Maintained terrain park. Collaborated to hire staff and conduct staff training.

  • Taught Group and Private snowboard lessons to All Levels of ability
  • Collaborated to Hire Staff and Conduct Staff Training
  • Maintained terrain park

Professional Credentials

  • Certified Teacher: Oregon
  • Teaching Endorsements:
    • English for Speakers of Other Languages / Middle Level, High School Level
    • Multiple Subjects / Middle Level Secondary Education
    • Social Studies / Middle Level Secondary Education
    • Social Studies / High School Level Secondary Education
  • Certified Snowboard Instructor, Professional Ski Instructor’s Association (P.S.I.A.), (Inactive)

Education

M.A.ED, Curriculum and Instruction, Arizona State University, 2002
B.A., Secondary Education/History Ed., Northern Arizona University, 1998

Professional Memberships

  • National Education Association
  • Oregon Education Association
  • Portland Association of Teachers
  • AVID College-Readiness System Committee, 2017
  • CARE: Collaborative Action Research for Equity, Beacon School Team, 2012

Professional Development and Training

  • Identifying and Referring Homeless Youth
  • The Prevention of Child Abuse Sexual Misconduct and Reporting
  • Sexual Conduct-Staff to Student
  • Prevention of Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying and Retaliation Training
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Risk Management and Hazard Communication
  • Beyond Diversity, Courageous Conversations on Race
  • AVID: Culturally Relevant Teaching
  • Step Up to Writing
  • SIOP: Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol
  • QTEL: Quality Teaching of English Language Learners
  • K-5 Focused Approach to Systematic English Language Development
  • Sheltered Instruction 6-8
  • Master Presenter
  • Anger Work Out
  • Multiple Intelligence Curriculum Instruction
  • Creating Multiple Intelligence Learning Station
  • Sensational Spell Read Write

Professional Affiliations

  • Skatepark Advisory Committee. City Of Portland Oregon
    • Served on committee making recommendations and creating policies for skatepark management and maintenance in 2008-2011
  • Steel Bridge Skatepark Feasibility Study
    • Member of focus group to determine the feasibility of Skatepark Proposal in 2009
  • Board of Art Skateboarding Art Festival
    • Event manager. Collaborated with Portland City Council and Mayor’s office to create a three-day skateboarding art festival that included skateboard demonstration and art show at city hall, film festival, and concert in 2008
  • Skatepark Leadership Advisory Team
    • Served on skatepark advisory team for the city of Portland, Oregon. Worked with committee to help develop city-wide skatepark system in 2003-2005
  • Catlin Gable Sports Summit
    • Guest presenter at event for sports industry professionals highlighting career options to students for working within the sports industry
  • Y.M.C.A of The U.S.A Skateboarding Task Team
    • Served on Y.M.C.A committee working to outline national skateboarding program and create a technical assistance paper for Y.M.C.A skateboarding programs and skateparks in 2004
  • Introduction to Skateboarding Clinics
    • Developed and implemented beginner learn-to-skate classes for the city of Chandler’s Public Skatepark, Chandler, Arizona in 2000-2001
  • Tempe Parks and Recreation Skateboard Safety Clinics
    • Created fundamental skateboarding lessons and “skatepark etiquette” clinics for public skate programs. Tempe, Arizona in summer, 2001
  • The History of Skateboarding, a Humanity for Teens
    • Designed and facilitated literacy project between Arizona State University and The Phoenix Public Library. Phoenix, Arizona in 2001

Publications

  • The Evolution of Public Skateparks. Recreation Management Magazine, January 2012
  • Skatepark Smarts. Recreation Management Magazine, November 2010
  • Skateboarding: Instruction, Programming, and Skatepark Design. Human Kinetics, 2009

v. 06/1/21

Related Resources

See All of Benjamin's Published Content

E-Skateboard Crash Investigations

By Benjamin Wixon
Expert Article

The use of e-skateboards and self-balancing, single-wheel skateboards has become increasingly prevalent among both children and adults. Likewise, injuries and incidents related to this equipment have…

Skateboarding - Instruction, Programming, and Park Design

By Benjamin Wixon
Expert Article

Robson Forensic skateboarding expert, and master trainer for Nike Skateboarding, Ben Wixon authored one of the leading texts on skateboarding instruction. In Skateboarding: Instruction, Programming,…

Evolution of Public Skateparks

By Benjamin Wixon
Expert Article

In this article, skateboarding expert, Ben Wixon, discusses various aspects of skatepark design and construction, as well as strategies for incorporating skateparks into the design of a community.…

Extracurricular Activities

Thursday, April 15, 2021
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Featuring Suzanne Rodriguez, Joseph A. Blackman, Benjamin Wixon
Webinar

The requirements for student safety and supervision in after-school programs such as clubs, sports teams, and intramural activities are often more nuanced than with traditional classroom activities.…