What's New In Adapted Physical Education

In this podcast, we had an excellent conversation with international APA scholar Dr. Kwok Ng (@kwokwng) about the newly formed Para Report Cards that graded 14 countries, which include the US and Canada, on an assortment of physical activity and health indicators. Dr. Ng is at the University of Limerick, the University of Turku, and the University of Eastern Finland. His research is largely interdisciplinary and focuses on the health promotion of children, especially those with disabilities. Within this podcast we discuss the need for the Para Report Cards, their development, and some of the main findings from the Para Report Cards. In addition, the discussion also touched on the potential impact of these report cards on policies and initiatives aimed at improving physical activity for children and adolescents with disabilities.

Listen in on the May NCPEID APE Collaborative focused on summer camps for children with disabilities. In this episode, 3 summer camps are highlighted: Camp Webber (Ally Keene), Camp Abilities (Lauren Liberman), and Camp Nugget (Amanda Young). In this episode they describe how these experiences not only provide children with disabilities experiences with physical activity with their peers, but also serve as an experience for future professionals to put theory into practice and develop essential skills for working with children with disabilities. More specifically, in this episode they highlight the unique aspects of each of these camps, the counselors and children's experience, and the research around these camps. NCPEID is the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities. They play a major role in shaping the direction of adapted physical education and adapted physical activity, as well building and promoting APE & APA programs and services.

Listen in on this exciting conversation with international APA disability sports scholar Dr. Robert Townsend (@robtownsendPhD) from the University of Waikato in New Zealand. Dr. Townsend's work is largely interdisciplinary, where he works to bridge qualitative research, social science and disability studies to build upon disability and sport coaching research while dismantling ablest norms that disrupt disabled persons ability to access meaningful sport opportunities. In this episode, we focus on Dr. Townsend's background in APA and disability sports, defining and discussing the state of disability sports coaching, and the notion of infusing disability sports coaching into general sport coaching pedagogy programs. We used his paper "Infusing disability into coach education and development: a critical review and agenda for change" to guide our discussions as well.

Welcome to a unique and special episode of "What's New in APE," where we pay tribute to the remarkable legacy of Eli Wolff, an eminent advocate and leader in the field of disability sports. As a distinguished multiple-time US Paralympian, Eli devoted himself to promoting the inclusion of disabled individuals in sports and physical activities. One of Eli's impactful endeavors was his instrumental role in advocating for provisions concerning sport and recreation within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, he played a key part in establishing the prestigious ESPY Award for Best Athlete with a Disability. Three of Eli's closest friends and colleagues came on the podcast to remember Eli's work and achievements. This included Dr. Mary Hums (University of Louisville), Dr. David Legg (Mount Royal University), and Dr. Ted Fey (Recently retired from SUNY Cortland). They share heartfelt accounts of their relationships with Eli and recount inspiring stories of how he con

Listen in on the May NCPEID APE Collaborative that features 3 SHAPE APE Teachers of the Year: Katelyn Smith (Rock Creek School, MD), Jennifer Heebink (Buffalo, MN), and Kasia Givenrod (Brea Unified School District, CA). In this episode they discuss their top teaching tips they have learned over their careers. This includes discussing different teaching styles, assessment, IEP strategies, accommodations/modifications, and skill breakdowns. NCPEID is the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities. They play a major role in shaping the direction of adapted physical education and adapted physical activity, as well building and promoting APE & APA programs and services. https://www.ncpeid.org/

The "Best in the Business" episode was moderated by Project CAPE Master Scholars from the California State University of Long Beach. Scholars observed 3 APE teachers in Southern CA who were purposively selected for their teaching abilities, numerous accolades, commitment to the profession, and diverse student population. During these practicum experiences, scholars would teach a class and the mentor provided feedback. The Scholars, along with Drs. Melissa Bittner and Barry Lavay interview these mentors about their professional journeys, tips on best practices when teaching APE, and get into assessment as well. Finally, the podcast wraps up with our new favorite segment called "Barry's Burning Questions", where he discusses the use of podcasting amongst APE/PE teachers for professional learning. Project CAPE Scholars include: Nikki Thornburg, Dana Briosos, and Anthony Tang. The "Best in the Business" Mentors include: Kasia Givenrod (Brea Unified School District), Brittani Ikemoto (Los Angeles Unified School Di

Listen in on this special podcast episode that featured a group of guest moderators from the California State University, Long Beach (e.g., Dr. Melissa Bittner, Dr. Barry Lavay) interviewing Dr. Monica Lepore about her professional journey and adapted aquatics. Dr. Monica Lepore, retired APE professor from West Chester University will be discussing current issues in adapted aquatics. She is an adapted aquatics instructor at Starfish Aquatics Institute, Special Olympics swim coach, ARC water safety instructor, USA Triathlon Level 1 coach and USA Triathlon Level 2 paratriathlon coach. Along with discussing Dr. Lepore's background in APE and adapted aquatics, they also discuss the benefits of adapted aquatics for persons with disabilities, as well as important teaching and safety considerations when teaching aquatics to children with disabilities.

Listen in on the April NCPEID APE Collaborative featuring special guests Katrina McClanahan, Brookes Marindin, Rebecca Lytle, and Melissa Bittner who will discuss APE interview tips! Specifically in this episode, this panels discusses the do's and don't of an APE interview, making yourself as attractive a applicant as possible, and how to navigate the interview process.

For this unique episode, we interviewed Christopher Ahrens (@chrisahrens), an APE Teacher for the San Diego Unified School District and former US Paralympic soccer player, who has recently begun his own APE-focused podcast. This new APE podcast, "The Talking Adapted PE Podcast", interviews APE teachers across the US and discusses their day-to-day lives and best practices. Chris just completed season 1, which included 9 interviews with APE teachers and 1 professor. Within this episode we discuss Chris's journey to beginning this new podcast, how this podcast is different, and everything he has learned from the first season of his podcast.

Listen in on the February NCPEID APE Collaborative where board members of the academic journal Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ) discuss the purpose of research in the field of APA and provide insights into their journal. Specifically, this collaborative is joined by APAQ editors and renown scholars Dr. Andy Pitchford (Oregon State University), Dr. Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos (University of Toronto), Dr. Justin Haegele (Old Dominion University), and Dr. Deborah Shapiro (Georgia State University). Specifically in this episode, they discuss how one can successfully navigate the writing and review process in their journals, the direction of the journal, and the importance of our work to meaningfully move the field of APA forward.

Within this podcast, friends of the show (Amanda Young and APE graduate students at California State University-Long Beach) lead a very professional IN-PERSON discussion with Dr. Michelle Grenier about her background, journey through her career, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Dr. Grenier is the past President of the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID), and professor of physical education at the University of New Hampshire. In this discussion they also discuss UDL principles and training physical educators to work with children with disabilities. Dr. Michelle Grenier has an extensive background in both the Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education (APE) field, having worked with students at every level as well as students with disabilities in both regular and adapted environments. Dr. Michelle Grenier, a former professor at the University of New Hampshire, has earned a master's degree in special education along a PHD in education at UNH, an

Listen in on this exciting conversation with international APA superstar Dr. Brett Smith (@BrettSmithProf) from the University of Durham in the UK. In this discussion, we discuss a large range of topics related to disability and APA. These included the language we use to discuss and refer to disability, how we conceptualize disability, and the idea of co-producing knowledge with disabled folk to create APA messages and best practices. Additionally, we discussed another area of expertise of Dr. Smith's, Qualitative research. In this section of the discussion, Dr. Smith shared his views on different forms of Qualitative research, common pitfalls of this research, and why this type of research is needed. Dr. Smith is the Department Director of Research, has over 200 peer-reviewed research articles, the co-founder and President of the International Society of Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, and is the founder and former Editor of Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. His research has la

Listen in on the January NCPEID APE Collaborative where Dr. Tim Davis (SUNY Cortland) and Brad Weiner (Fairfax County Schools) discuss what the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) are, why they were initially developed, and how to become a Nationally Certified APE Teacher. NCPEID is the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities. They play a major role in shaping the direction of adapted physical education and adapted physical activity, as well building and promoting APE & APA programs and services. In addition, we introduce a new APE podcast out there called "The Talking Adapted PE Podcast" which is operated by Chris Ahrens (APE Teachers from San Diego County) where he talks with other APE teachers about their day-to-day lives and best practices.

In this episode, we highlight a recent webinar conducted by the New Emerging Scholars of Adapted Physical Activity (NESAPA), which is a new group organized under the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA). In this webinar, their goal was to generate a space for conversations about experiences with applying and landing a Postdoc, regarding research activity, lifestyles, and recommendations during this process. The panelists include: Dr. Kwok Ng (@kwokwng) University of Limerick, Ireland, University of Turku & University of Eastern Finland, Finland & Vice President of IFAPA Dr. Alexandra Stribing (@AStribing), Kean University, USA & NESAPA Chair Dr. Nicole Kirk (@TheNicoleKirk), University of Georgia, USA & Former Student Representative. to IFAPA Board Dr. Ryan Hulteen (@Ryan_Hulteen), Louisiana State University, USA Dr. Emily Munn (@EmilyMunnPhD), University of South Carolina, USA

Listen in on the December NCPEID APE Collaborative with guest speakers – Susan Seman-Wallace, APE teacher from Brighton School District, Kelly Kennedy, APE teacher from Greeley-Evans School District 6, Scott Douglas, Associate Professor from the University of Northern Colorado, and Gina Herrera, CDE Supervisor and Access, Learning and Literacy & Significant Support Needs & Deafblindness Specialist. Our guest speakers will discuss Colorado’s journey to a state-approved APE teaching credential; and implementation suggestions from faculty in states with longstanding APE credentials.

Guest speaker Dr. Martin Block (@MartinBlockUVA) joins us today to talk about the excellent APE Master’s Program at the University of Virginia including its unique qualities and realistic experiences, the funding to keep the program alive, and tips to success from one of his current students in the program. Specially, he discusses how his program was developed initially through federal funding (OSEP), and then through partnerships with the local schools he has been able to maintain the program for almost 30 years. Martin Block is the Director of the program of kinesiology for individuals with disabilities at the University of Virginia, where he has been since 1992. He is the current editor for PALESTRA and has co-authored dozens of book chapters and empirical articles related to the field of APE.

Listen in on the December NCPEID APE Collaborative with guest speaker Cynthia D. Vargas as she discusses the development of a defensible IEP. This podcast will cover topics such as organizing IEP team meetings, IEP meeting notes, after the IEP meetings, and some thoughts on FAPE. Cynthia D. Vargas is the managing partner for F3 Law Firm’s Inland Empire office. She is a legal expert that represents and advises school districts, county offices of education, and special education local plan areas statewide. Prior to law school, she worked as a special education teacher providing her a practical understanding of the interconnectedness of education legal matters. She earned her Juris-Doctor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of California, Irvine.

Listen in on the October NCPEID APE Collaborative featuring guest speakers Heidi Ambrosius and Steve Eggerichs as they discuss everything Pre-School and Post Secondary Transition. Heidi discusses everything pre-school including APE services during early childhood, different models of delivery, and the importance of assessments. Steve Eggerichs touches upon post secondary/transition in APE and different programs including Projects L.I.V.E, Bridge, and SEARCH.

Listen in on today’s co-facilitator Brad Weiner (@APETeacher) and guest speakers Jenn Vedder (@CoachVedder_HPE) and Danielle Musser (@Musser_APE) as they discuss the highly asked for topic of navigating APE deserts with little to no support or infrastructure. Specifically, we discuss what it’s like to come into a school as a new APE teacher and build up an APE program that lacks foundation, history, and resources. This podcast will touch upon many issues related to this subject and provide advice and strategies for APE educators. Brad Weiner helps to facilitate this important discussion given his extensive experience as an APE teacher. Brad has been on the podcast several times and is an educational specialists with Fairfax County in Virginia, as well as a former APE SHAPE teacher of the year with over 17 years experience as an APE teacher. We were also joined by two APE specialists who have successfully navigated APE deserts. Jenn Vedder is an APE and general education teacher from Virginia, currently workin

Listen in on our international guest speakers Dr. Martin Giese (@MartinGiese5) and Dr. Tobias Buchner (@TobiasBuchner) as they discuss topics within their research article, “The Subject of Special Olympics - Interrogating the Inclusive Potentials of a Sport Movement from an Ableism - Critical Perspective.” Martin Giese is a professor for sport science and sport pedagogy at the Heidelberg University of Education in Germany. He has over 10 years experience with teaching throughout different schools and 6 years with teaching visually impaired students. Tobias Buchner is the head of department of inclusive education at the University of Education Upper Austria, as well as vice chair of the monitoring body of the UN-CRPD. He has experience as a professor for inclusive education and as a soccer coach for students with intellectual disabilities. Within this podcast we discuss how Special Olympics discusses inclusion in their programming, the concepts of ableism and inclusion, and how Special Olympics may be inadvete