#AdaptedPE Newsletter 6 (Week of 9/16/2024)

Welcome to our Adapted PE Newsletter! Our goal is to share innovative ideas, practical tools, and the latest updates to support your work in creating inclusive, engaging physical education experiences. Each week during the school year, we’ll bring you new insights and resources to help you stay inspired and connected. Whether it’s fresh teaching strategies, essential equipment, or professional development opportunities, we’re here to keep you informed and energized for the school year ahead.

Contents

Teacher Spotlight Adapted PE News Annual APE Week Coming NEXT Year Resource Alert: APE Guide for PE Teachers Equipment Showcase: Whacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man Scholarly Insights Professional Development Opportunities: NCPEID APE Collaborative (Online)Professional Development Opportunities: 49th Annual MNDAPE Conference (In Person)Podcast Stay Connected Newsletter Archive

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Teacher Spotlight

Discover this week’s standout Adapted PE innovation that’s enhancing student engagement and inclusivity in the classroom.

Meet Nicole McCoy, a C.A.P.E. certified Adapted Physical Education teacher from Pennsylvania who primarily teaches at the Middle and High School levels. Nicole works with students in self-contained Autistic Support, Life Skills, and Multiple Disability classrooms, while also supporting students included in General PE. As the head coach of her school’s Unified Track and Field program for six years, she is deeply passionate about making physical activity accessible for all students. Nicole’s creativity and collaborative spirit are second to none, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with her on numerous projects since the pandemic in 2020. Her dedication to the field has earned her prestigious awards like the 2017 PSAHPERD, 2018 LLBAHPERD, and 2019 Eastern SHAPE APE Teacher of the Year. Outside of teaching, Nicole enjoys family time, traveling, working out, and crafting. For her amazing APE resources, visit her contributions to Just Adapt It here.

Parachute games for everyone! Hooked up a switch to a fan so that my student could “shake” the parachute by using her head to activate her switch which then blew the fan under the parachute. #AdaptedPE #Physed #ATinAPE pic.twitter.com/oLNyxcfcv0
— Nicole McCoy (@NMcCoy_APE) September 9, 2024

https://justadaptit.com/author/ndmccoy/

Adapted PE News

Stay informed with the latest news, professional development opportunities, and research advancements in the world of Adapted Physical Education.

Annual APE Week Coming NEXT Year

Exciting news for Adapted Physical Education (APE) teachers! Long overlooked, APE professionals are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Thanks to advocates like Danielle Musser and organizations such as NCPEID, the field is gaining visibility. The 1st Annual APE Week is a major step in highlighting the critical role APE teachers play in supporting students with disabilities. This celebration marks a new era of appreciation and collaboration for the APE community, ensuring these specialists receive the spotlight they’ve long earned!

When a dream becomes a reality 😍 Beyond grateful that NCPEID fully embraced my idea and are jumping in to make this happen! #adaptedpe #physed pic.twitter.com/i3xOvh5shy
— DanielleMusserAPE (@Musser_APE) September 11, 2024

More information is available at NCPEID.

Resource Alert: APE Guide for PE Teachers

I wanted to share an amazing resource I came across in the Adapted PE Facebook group. Abbie Wagner, an Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, posted about a website created by one of her students, Nick Casal (UG at SUNY Brockport). The site is full of helpful resources that PE teachers can use to better include students with disabilities in their classes. It’s a great tool for anyone looking to make their PE programs more accessible! Check out the website here.

Equipment Showcase: Whacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man

Introducing a fun and engaging tool for Adapted Physical Education: the Whacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man! Typically seen at car dealerships, this unconventional device is now being used to help students develop essential physical skills like dribbling, catching, and hitting. By creating a unique, hands-on experience, this tool slows down movements and makes activities more accessible for students with diverse abilities, helping them build confidence and improve coordination in a creative way. Learn more at Just Adapt It.

Innovative Adapted Physical Education: The Whacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man Approach

MOUNTO 8FT Fly Puppet Dancer with 1/3hp Blower Complete Set (Orange)

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support the ongoing work of creating and sharing adapted physical education resources, guides, and inclusive activity ideas so that everyone can thrive in PE. Your support makes it possible to keep this site running and the content free for educators and families. Thank you!

Scholarly Insights

Check out this insightful research titled “Adapted Physical Education Teachers’ Prior Training and Current Use of Action Research to Monitor Student Progress” by experts in the field—David Adams, Melissa Bittner, Barry Lavay, and Lisa Silliman-French! This study dives into how APE teachers are using action research to track student progress and highlights the need for better teacher training and district support. It’s a must-read for anyone passionate about advancing APE practices.

Read more here to stay informed on the latest in APE research!

Professional Development Opportunities: NCPEID APE Collaborative (Online)

Join us on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, for the NCPEID APE Collaborative, where we’ll discuss Advocating for Adapted Physical Education. I will be one of the presenters, sharing practical ways APE teachers can advocate for students with disabilities, including tools I’ve developed like Just Adapt It and this very newsletter. My co-presenter, Dr. Suzanna Dillon, will offer insights on NCPEID’s advocacy efforts and how educators can engage. The session will conclude with a Q&A.

Zoom link: here.

Announcing the September APE Collaborative on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 12PM EST (11AM CT/9AM PST)! The topic is Advocating for Adapted Physical Education with Suzanna Dillon & Matt Barker. Hope to see you there! pic.twitter.com/y8wkPX8t3l
— National Consortium (@NCPEID) September 11, 2024

Professional Development Opportunities: 49th Annual MNDAPE Conference (In Person)

The 49th Annual MNDAPE Conference will take place on September 26-27, 2024, at Camp Friendship in Annandale, MN. This conference brings together professionals in the field of Adapted Physical Education, featuring keynote speakers like Jeff Watkins, Jen Heebink, Bryan Wickoren, Danielle Musser, Justin Lund and more amazing presenters, SHAPE America award-winning teachers. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in informative sessions, stay overnight in cabins, and enjoy meals provided during the event. The conference aims to foster learning, collaboration, and advancement in adapted PE.

More details can be found here

Podcast

In this podcast episode, three emeritus professors—Dr. Garth Tymeson, Dr. Dale Ulrich, and Dr. Barry Lavay—reflect on the evolution of Adapted Physical Education (APE). They discuss critical milestones, such as the creation of APE teacher certification, early challenges with limited resources, and changes in how students with disabilities are integrated into general PE classrooms. They also explore the future of APE, emphasizing the need for increased teacher training and advocacy for better inclusion practices. The conversation highlights both the historical journey and upcoming priorities for the field.

Stay Connected

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Thank you for taking the time to read our Adapted PE newsletter! Your dedication to creating inclusive and engaging physical education experiences is what makes our community so strong. We’re always looking to collaborate and would love to feature your innovative ideas and success stories in future editions. Together, we can continue to improve and inspire each other. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update, and let’s keep the conversation going!

Teacher Spotlight