SHAPE Baltimore Adapted PE Guide
General · By Matt Barker (Digit the APE), Adapted Physical Education specialist
Published · Updated
We’re excited to shine a spotlight on Adapted Physical Education at SHAPE Baltimore 2025! This year’s sessions are packed with inclusive strategies, innovative programming ideas, and hands-on activities designed to support ALL learners in movement spaces. Whether you're new to Adapted PE or a seasoned pro, these sessions will give you fresh tools to empower […]
We’re excited to shine a spotlight on Adapted Physical Education at SHAPE Baltimore 2025! This year’s sessions are packed with inclusive strategies, innovative programming ideas, and hands-on activities designed to support ALL learners in movement spaces. Whether you’re new to Adapted PE or a seasoned pro, these sessions will give you fresh tools to empower your students, build inclusive communities, and elevate your teaching.
I’ve done my best to capture all of the Adapted PE sessions in this post—if I missed any, please reach out and let me know! Be sure to attend, connect with fellow APE professionals, and share your favorite takeaways. Let’s keep the conversation going and continue growing our inclusive practices together!
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
⏰ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Promoting Inclusive Fitness: Exercise Modifications for Persons With Physical Disabilities
Dr. Rebecca Wehler, Ashley Wurster, and Kelis Joliet
📍 Room 314-315, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Modifications to support individuals with physical disabilities in fitness
Universal Design for Learning: Supporting the Needs of Diverse Learners in HPE
Ms. Erin Lumpkins, DC Public Schools
📍 Room 331-332, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Using UDL principles to support all learners in Health & PE
⏰ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Teaching Manipulative Skills to Students With Diverse Physical Needs
Katie Smith, Rock Creek School
📍 Room 324-325, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Strategies for teaching physical skills to students with varied physical abilities
The Equity Finish Line: Creating a Culture of Belonging in P.E.
Jermar Rountree, Center City Public Charter School
📍 Room 345-346, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Equity and belonging in PE settings for all students
⏰ 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Visual Innovations in Adapted Physical Education: Engage, Manage, Succeed!
Dana DeVore, Julia May, Taylor Ainslie, Gabrielle Ryan Strittmater
📍 Room 309-310, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Visual supports and strategies for student engagement in APE
⏰ 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Lessons Learned Through a One-Year Adapted Physical Activity Master’s Program
Dr. Allison Tsuchida and colleagues
📍 Room 349, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Professional development and training in adapted physical activity
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
⏰ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Flexibility in Motion: Dance Adaptations for Every Body
Victor Spadaro Jr., Arlington Public Schools
📍 Room 314-315, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Inclusive dance modifications for diverse abilities
“Inclusive Excellence: Inspiring Students to Reach Their Fullest Potential”
Heather Marie Burd & Dr. Joe Deutsch
📍 Room 321-322, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Strategies to ensure all students are supported and inspired
That Was Easy! Simple PE Adaptations With Materials You Probably Already Have
Katie Smith & Sadie Brown
📍 Room 337-338, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Low-cost, practical APE adaptations
⏰ 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Making Movement Meaningful! From Standards to Success & Adapting Physical Education for All
Annika Culver, Cornelia Elementary School, MNSHAPE
📍 Room 314-315, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Meaningful PE and adapting for all learners
Starting From Scratch: Creating a District-Wide APE Program in a Rural Setting
Mr. Keith Lowe
📍 Room 342, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Building inclusive APE from the ground up in rural schools
Using Multi-Mat/Multi-Shape Challenge Courses for Students with Diverse Abilities
Mr. Bill Mokin
📍 Room 342, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Engaging obstacle-based learning for all abilities
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Tips From the Trenches: Adapt Any Lesson to Include Every Student
Megaera Regan, Matt Bristol, Jennifer Heebink, Charles Rizzuto
📍 Room 307-308, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Practical strategies for full inclusion in general PE settings
⏰ 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
50 Adapted PE Hacks in 50 Minutes: Rapid-Fire Strategies for Inclusive Physical Education
Jennifer Heebink, Buffalo High School and Buffalo Community Middle School
Dr. Megan E. Johnson, Minnesota State University Moorhead
📍 Room 321-322, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: A high-energy, fast-paced session packed with practical tools, equipment ideas, tech tips, and strategies to support inclusive PE across all settings
Thursday, April 3, 2025
⏰ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Bridging Ability and Activity with Assistive Technology in Adapted P.E.
Matthew Barker, Nicole McCoy, Jeff Watkins
📍 Room 314-315, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Using assistive tech tools to increase APE access and engagement
Why We All Need an Adapted PE Bucket
Brad Hunter, Baltimore City Public Schools
📍 Room 309-310, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Simple, go-to resources and strategies for inclusive PE lessons
⏰ 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Reconsidering Perceptions of Disability and Teaching: Exceptions Do Exist
Dr. Aubrey Hope Shaw & Dr. Sharon Kay Stoll
📍 Room 323, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Shifting mindsets and challenging assumptions in disability and teaching
Using HipHop Dance & Story to Teach Early Childhood Locomotor Skills
Fred Vassallo, NJAPHERD
📍 Room 309-310, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Inclusive dance and storytelling to build movement skills in young learners
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Favorite Adaptation and Connections for Inclusion
Toni Bader, SHAPE WA President
📍 Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Toni’s top adaptation ideas for including all learners in PE
UDL Why? PE Lessons for All Students to THRIVE!
Amy Falls & LaDonda Porter
📍 Room 307-308, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Using Universal Design for Learning to create engaging, inclusive PE lessons
⏰ 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Using Student Reflections to Shape Adapted Physical Activity Practicum Experiences
Nicole Fulton, Behnaz Saghaei, Jamie Linker York, Dr. Michelle Ferrer
📍 Room 336, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Using student voice to inform and improve APE experiences
⏰ 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
ADAPT! Skill Progression Management for Teaching Adaptive Sports
Prof. Dean M. Ravizza, Salisbury University
📍 Room 307-308, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Managing skill progressions when teaching adapted and inclusive sports
Friday, April 4, 2025
⏰ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
How to Be Prepared for an IEP Meeting
Dr. Matthew D. Lucas & Dr. Thomas Moran
📍 Room 321-322, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Navigating IEPs with confidence and advocating for student needs
Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Using Social Stories, Token Boards and More
Karen Puckett, Cooperative Association for Special Recreation (CASE)
📍 Room 337-338, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Practical tools for teaching behavior and responsibility in APE
Using Braille in Physical Education
Dr. Steven W. Groccia, Gabriel Purin, Leeten Adolt
📍 Room 316-317, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Strategies and tools for supporting students with visual impairments
⏰ 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
2024 SHAPE America Teachers of the Year: Adapt Anything to Make Everything Possible!
📍 Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: National Adapted PE Teachers of the Year share inclusive strategies and creative adaptations to support all learners in physical education
This Is How We Move It: Dancing With Standards!
Auburn Cain, Lakeside Primary School
📍 Room 309-310, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Dance-based instruction inclusive of all skill levels
Urban Pursuits
Miriam Kenyon, DC Public Schools
📍 Room 321-322, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Inclusive, community-connected movement activities for diverse learners
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Favorite Adaptation and Connections for Inclusion (Encore-style session)
Toni Bader, SHAPE WA
📍 Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Continued highlight on inclusive teaching tools and practical applications
⏰ 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Starting a New Program for After School Sport for Kids with Special Needs
Josh Porter, Fulton County Schools; Dr. Jeff Knox, Carson-Newman University
📍 Room 350, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Building inclusive after-school sports opportunities for students with disabilities
Saturday, April 5, 2025
⏰ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Using Braille in Physical Education
Dr. Steven W. Groccia, Gabriel Purin, Leeten Adolt
📍 Room 316-317, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Integrating braille to support students with visual impairments in PE
⏰ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
All Together Now! Cardio Drumming for All Abilities
Jessica Willson & Katherine Wallace
📍 Room 314-315, Baltimore Convention Center
🔍 Focus: Inclusive cardio drumming to engage all students, regardless of ability
How Unified Physical Education Can Foster Inclusion in a School and a Community
Charlie Bingham & Becky Roak
📍 Room 347-348, Baltimore Convention Ce