#AdaptedPE Monthly Newsletter- JUNE 2025

Summer is nearly here! In Fairfax County, VA, where I teach, we have just two weeks to go. It’s a strange feeling wrapping up the year after recently returning to work—I was out for a few weeks waiting on an unexpected appendix removal. I’m feeling much better now and energized about the exciting projects ahead.

That said, I’ll be taking a short break and skipping the July newsletter. I’ll return in August with fresh ideas and new resources to kick off the school year strong. In the meantime, here’s a peek at what I’ve been working on (to stay sane while stuck at home!):

🛠️ Adapted Equipment Store
I’ve launched a dedicated store for adapted PE equipment! There’s already some cool stuff on there that I’ll be testing and sharing soon. I’m also dreaming up custom assistive tech devices that could be available in the store down the line.

📘 Just Adapt It. The Book!
Big news—I’ve finished the first draft of my upcoming book! It’s been a true labor of love, packed with stories, strategies, and heart. I’m aiming for an August release and can’t wait to share it with our incredible community of educators.

🙏 Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank-you to my Patreon supporters—you help keep the site running and make all of this possible. Your support means the world.

Wishing you all a joyful, restful, and movement-filled summer! See you in August. 💪☀️

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🌍 Eco-Friendly Balls from EcoSports

If you’re looking to refresh your PE equipment while making a positive impact, I highly recommend checking out EcoSports. They offer a fantastic line of eco-friendly balls made from sustainable, non-toxic materials—great for schools that want to go green without sacrificing quality. Their range includes soccer balls, basketballs, playground balls, and more, all built with performance and the planet in mind.

Whether you’re teaching indoors or outdoors, these balls are durable, soft enough for younger students, and a great conversation starter about environmental responsibility. It’s awesome to see more companies stepping up to create inclusive, earth-conscious options for educators—and EcoSports is definitely one to support!

FINIS Long Floating Swim Fins

These swim fins are a fantastic tool for teaching children with disabilities how to swim. Their long, floating design helps lift the legs, encouraging a horizontal body position and improving balance in the water. The gentle resistance supports proper kicking technique, even for children with low muscle tone or coordination challenges. Made from soft, comfortable rubber, they’re also a great choice for kids with sensory sensitivities. I’ve used these fins with both of my own children and have seen firsthand how they can boost confidence, independence, and enjoyment in the water.

Sarah Brockberg, an Adapted PE teacher, brings heart and purpose to events like the annual fishing day at Homestead Ranch. Her passion for inclusive education shines as she helps students with disabilities build confidence and skills in a supportive, hands-on environment.

“Fishing is a lifetime activity,” Sarah shared. “It’s something they can do with their families. By teaching them in this kind of setting—with support and guidance—they can feel confident going out into the community to fish on their own.”

Sarah plays a vital role in ensuring each student not only learns the technical skills of fishing but also experiences joy, independence, and a connection to nature. Her leadership helps create a welcoming space where all students can thrive and discover new interests.

Thanks to Sarah and her collaboration with local organizations like Pike’s Peak Flyfishing, students are getting much more than a lesson—they’re getting a lifelong memory.

Teacher Spotlight: Brett McCoy

This month, we also shine the spotlight on Brett McCoy — devoted husband and APE partner to the incredible Nicole McCoy. While Brett may work behind the scenes, his contributions are anything but quiet. He consistently transforms Nicole’s creative ideas into fully functioning, impactful adaptations that help students thrive.

In a recent video shared on Twitter, Brett and Nicole took their students on an adapted fishing trip — a beautiful example of hands-on, inclusive learning in action. Thank you, Brett, for your dedication, innovation, and heart.

Ended our field trip season going fishing at a local trout farm w/ our Ss w/ multiple disabilities. We had 2 switch adapted reels & one DIY casting device so Ss could independently cast & reel. Ss also used regular rods w/ adult support 🎣 #AdaptedPE pic.twitter.com/rWaFA4bVPH

— Nicole McCoy (@NMcCoy_APE) May 27, 2025

Hello you all! I had the opportunity to attend CAHPERD/NAPEC in early May in Pasadena, California. WOW…what an awesome conference for a general education physical education teacher and a Unified/Adapted Physical education teacher. It was awesome to network and connect with a lot of other teachers who I connect with over social media. Just in itself, I had the opportunity to attend both Kasia Givenrod and Sammi Stewarts session’s- game changers for my Unified program. Overall, I took away a lot of great resources from this conference. Thank you to CAHPERD for putting on a great conference.

Nicole McCoy has developed an Adapted Sensory Stretching playlist on YouTube, designed to support students in Adapted Physical Education (APE) classes. This playlist offers a series of sensory-friendly stretching routines tailored for individuals with disabilities. You can access these resources through her YouTube Channel

During an IEP meeting I learned that one of my students loves books. I thought maybe he would like a little story about underhand throw as he practices. I created him this little book to use during his #AdaptedPE time. I’d love more ideas & feedback! @SHAPEAmerica @MAPEC_Members pic.twitter.com/x7tvus623G

— Amy Falls, NBCT (@AFallsPETeach) May 15, 2025

Set up a disc golf course using tomato cages & dollar tree baskets & it was a blast! To help w/ visuals each cage had a #’d flag associated w/ the same #’d cone to stand at. Ss stood on a colored polyspot & threw to the cage w/ the same color in front of it #AdaptedPE #PhysEd pic.twitter.com/sDXckO5EDs

— Nicole McCoy (@NMcCoy_APE) May 19, 2025

All year I’ve been helping an #AdaptedPE 👩‍🎓 in PE & it’s been challenging, she’s the only 👩‍🎓 w/ a disability.

Finally, today a skill we’ve worked on before was used.

At first I couldn’t recruit anyone to join our modified game. By the end there wasn’t room for me in the line! pic.twitter.com/cLGVJIUm4z

— Brad (@BHunterinBmore) April 30, 2025

There’s something so magical about horses. We took classes therapeutic horseback riding. Ss could ride, lead a horse, brush & pet them, make a treat & feed them, & do crafts. The sense of accomplishment, pride & joy Ss showed make this a highly recommended experience!#AdaptedPE pic.twitter.com/M1KEEuAUIM

— Nicole McCoy (@NMcCoy_APE) May 8, 2025

⚽️ Adapted PE: Soccer Dribbler ⚽️
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Saw a version of this @SHAPEAmerica convention and knew I needed it for my student!
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Super easy and cheap to make but most importantly made my student’s day! 😊
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.#physed #adaptedpe #pe pic.twitter.com/HuE1ff4WTU

— Julie Braden (@mrsbradenPE) May 6, 2025

🏸🙂Adapted: Pickleball Hitter🙂🏸
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Probably my favorite piece of adaptive equipment I’ve made this year!
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📣Huge shout out to @NMcCoy_APE Im so lucky I got to see her present at Shape this year! She really inspires me and I’m grateful for all she shares!
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.#adaptedpe #physed pic.twitter.com/dzmSmQpBln

— Julie Braden (@mrsbradenPE) May 29, 2025

The National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) is hosting its Annual Conference July 10–12 in Washington, D.C. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with leaders in Adapted PE, share best practices, and grow your professional network.

🕊️ Early bird registration is open through June 15th – don’t miss the chance to save your spot!

Also, we will be sponsoring this event and giving out free lanyards!

👉 Register today at NCPEID.org

Join the NCPEID APE Collaborative on Tuesday, June 10th for a panel discussion with APE program heads and leads from across the U.S. Hear from experts like my boss Brad Weiner, Sue Baldwin, Thomas Swinden, Chris Ahrens and more.

Zoom link: https://csulb.zoom.us/j/87078191291

Hosted by the passionate and knowledgeable Chris Ahrens, the Talking Adapted PE Podcast dives into all things Adapted Physical Education. From innovative teaching strategies to inspiring stories and expert interviews, Chris brings valuable insights to help educators and families support students of all abilities. Tune in to stay informed, inspired, and connected with the APE community!

Hosted by the insightful Dr. Scott McNamara, this podcast keeps you up-to-date with the latest trends, research, and best practices in Adapted Physical Education. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or advocate, Dr. McNamara brings expert perspectives and practical tips to help you create inclusive, effective PE experiences for all students. Stay current and inspired—tune in today!

Hosted by Jenn Heebink, this podcast connects, inspires, and amplifies the voices of Adapted PE teachers and inclusion-focused professionals. Through real stories and meaningful conversations, we celebrate the impact of inclusive physical education and the people who make it happen.

Hosted by Brendan Aylward, AdaptX Podcast amplifies the voices and ideas of individuals who are building accessible businesses, advocating for inclusion, or excelling in adaptive sports.

Help us continue providing valuable resources by purchasing some awesome Adapted PE merchandise! We’ve curated a collection of gear perfect for educators, fitness enthusiasts, and supporters of inclusive physical education. Every purchase goes a long way in keeping our site running and improving.

Check out the merch here.

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