Free Virtual Conference for Adapted Physical Education Teachers — February 17, 2026
Professional Development · By Matt Barker (Digit the APE), Adapted Physical Education specialist
Published · Updated
Are you an adapted physical educator, physical education teacher, paraeducator, special educator, administrator, or related service provider looking to build your confidence and skills this year? You’re invited to a FREE Virtual Conference on February 17, 2026, hosted by Brad Weiner, APE Specialist at Fairfax County Public Schools! This teacher‑led event promises focused, practical sessions […]
Are you an adapted physical educator, physical education teacher, paraeducator, special educator, administrator, or related service provider looking to build your confidence and skills this year? You’re invited to a FREE Virtual Conference on February 17, 2026, hosted by Brad Weiner, APE Specialist at Fairfax County Public Schools! This teacher‑led event promises focused, practical sessions that support meaningful access to physical education for students with disabilities.
📅 Conference Date: February 17, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST
📍 Platform: Zoom (link sent to registrants ~24 hrs before)
💻 Cost: FREE
🎥 Sessions will be recorded and shared with all registrants
📜 Participation Certificate: Available upon request (email: Brad.M.Weiner@gmail.com within 30 days)
Participants can join and leave at any time — attend a few sessions or stay all day!
Why This Conference Matters for Adapted PE
APE is more than modifying games — it’s about creating equitable opportunities where all students can meaningfully participate in physical activity. This conference brings together expert presenters who share research‑driven strategies, instructional frameworks, and real‑world examples that strengthen your APE practice and help you serve students with confidence and creativity.
Conference Sessions & What You’ll Learn
**9:00 AM – 9:30 AM — So…Do They Qualify?
Presenter: Jeff Yellen
Explore the adapted physical education evaluation process, including data collection, observation, and collaborative reporting. Learn best practices for assessments that accurately reflect learners’ needs and support eligibility decisions.
**9:30 AM – 10:00 AM — Building Successful APE Programs
Presenter: Kirsten Birge
Discover practical strategies for designing and implementing adapted PE programs that promote engagement, collaboration with special education teams, and meaningful participation in inclusive settings.
**10:15 AM – 11:00 AM — “CATCH PHRASES”: Making Skill Cues Relatable
Presenter: Cody Mellinger
Make PE instruction more memorable! Learn how to use creative cues inspired by everyday visuals (like commercials and billboards) to teach object control and movement skills in ways students can easily recall.
**11:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Just Adapt It: A STEP Process for Adapting P.E.
Presenter: Matthew Barker
Delve into the STEP framework for adaptations — Space, Task, Equipment, People — to help ALL students play. This session offers practical tools, visuals, and real classroom examples that support Universal Design for Learning and student engagement. Based on the book “Just Adapt It: A STEP Framework for Adapting PE So Everybody Can Play”
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**12:15 PM – 12:45 PM — Adapted CrossFit for Lifelong Fitness
Presenters: Drew Gatto & Liz Spencer
Learn how adapted CrossFit programming fosters accessibility, autonomy, and functional strength while promoting long‑term engagement in physical activity — and how these principles can transfer into PE settings.
**1:00 PM – 1:30 PM — Adapted PE: Real Talk
Presenter: Brad Weiner
Bring your questions! This session is an interactive, compliance and instructional Q&A. Get clear answers, policy context, and practical solutions grounded in real APE practice.
**1:30 PM – 2:00 PM — Help Me! I Need to Write an IEP
Presenter: Brad Weiner
Demystify the IEP process with a practical breakdown of what adapted physical educators need to document and understand. Whether you’re new to IEPs or building confidence, this session helps you go from overwhelmed to empowered.
Who Should Attend
✔ Adapted Physical Educators
✔ General Physical Educators seeking inclusive strategies
✔ Special Education Teachers & Specialists
✔ Occupational/Physical Therapists
✔ Administrators & Support Staff invested in inclusive practice
This conference is an incredible opportunity to grow in your understanding of eligibility, instruction, adaptations, compliance, and inclusive practice — all tailored specifically to adapted physical education.