31 Mar Rick Kubina, PhD BCBA-D

Rick’s first publication in the Journal of Precision Teaching, “Reducing Negative Thoughts and Feelings of Senior Citizens: The One Minute Counting Procedure”, serves as a precursor to a prolific career as a researcher, teacher, mentor, and innovator. His rigorous approach to scientific inquiry and significant contributions to precision teaching and behavior analysis has yielded a large body of scholarly work establishing him as an influential figure within academia and in practical applications alike.    

Biography tab:

Nothing brings me greater joy than cherishing moments with my wife and our three grown children, whose family has recently expanded with the arrival of an adorable granddaughter and grandson. At just two and half years old and six months at the time of this writing, they hold my heart in their tiny hands. When not reveling in family time, I embrace my alter ego as a dedicated comic convention enthusiast, where I immerse myself in the world of superheroes and pop culture. A lifelong aficionado of comics, sci-fi, and fantasy, I find solace in epic adventures within the pages of captivating novels. As a professor and fervent supporter of Penn State, I bleed blue and white never missing an opportunity to cheer on our Nittany Lion athletes.

My passion extends into academia, where I have taught SPLED 409A – Fundamental Literacy Skills Instruction for Students with Disabilities at Penn State. The course has a special place in my heart as it offers educators evidence-based techniques to empower diverse learners in reading and writing. I have also taught courses on single-case experimental design, critical thinking, and instructional design. Through my research I have not only focused on PT, but have examined the convergence of technology, instruction, and special education, striving to uncover innovative methods that maximize learning outcomes. I hope to blend compassion and innovation to revolutionize education, leveraging PT research to propel meaningful progress in learning and development of all students.

Articles/PT tab:

My research journey has yielded an extensive portfolio of over 80 peer-reviewed articles, three books, and several chapters. Notably, my master’s thesis marked the inception of my academic trajectory, serving as the inaugural article I published in the Journal of Precision Teaching:

Kubina, R. M., Haertel, W., & Cooper, J. O. (1994). Reducing negative thoughts and feelings of senior citizens: The one-minute counting procedure. The Journal of Precision Teaching, 11(2), 28-35.

Publications tab:

• Since that pivotal moment, my academic endeavors have homed in on various precision topics, with several standout publications gracing non-PT journals. Among these, three favorites I like to share with people new to PT.
• Kubina, R. M., & Cooper, J. O. (2000). Changing the learning channels: An efficient strategy to facilitate instruction and learning. Intervention in School and Clinic, 35(3), 161-166. https://doi.org/10.1177/105345120003500306
• Kubina, R. M., King, S. A., Halkowski, M., Quigley, S., & Kettering, T. (2023). Slope identification and decision making: A comparison of linear and ratio graphs. Behavior Modification, 47(3), 615-643. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455221130002
• Kubina, R. M., Halkowski, M., Yurich, K. K. L., Ghorm, K., & Healy, N. M. (2024). Comparing the detection accuracy of operational definitions and pinpoints. Journal of Behavioral Education, 33(1), 142-162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-022-09485-2