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Updated: SPEA Newsletter 2024 Issue No. 1 (June/July)
Introduction
Introduction
A 1st for SPEA, we are delighted to feature a PE teacher teaching in a Special education (SPED) schools. Mr Kumaran is currently teaching in Lighthouse School. He is the recipient of the Asia Inspiring Icon Award for Sport and Physical Education and the 2024 Global Recognition Award for his contribution to promoting Adapated PE. He hopes the award will inspire more people to be PE teachers in SPED schools.
Briefly tell us more about yourself? What led you to your current job?
Briefly tell us more about yourself? What led you to your current job?
I am currently a Subject Lead (PE/CCA) at Lighthouse School and an amateur Football player in Football Association Singapore’s (FAS) Singapore Football League (SFL) & Island Wide League (IWL); I have been involved in the league for the last 13 years.In the education sector, I have held portfolios like HOD PE/CCA, Football coach and as an adjunct PE teacher. In Lighthouse School, I work with students who have special needs and other learning impediments. In that time, I have come to realize the importance of forging close ties with my charges and the various stakeholders in order to deliver quality teaching and learning.
What does PE mean to you?
What does PE mean to you?
I have never been someone academic. Rather, I found my passion in sports and excelled in them. I have to credit my school PE teachers who leveraged on Football as a means to engage me. This steered me away from negative influences and kept me steadfast in attending school. My involvement in sports and PE slowly shaped the way and formed the bedrock of how I currently teach PE to my students with various challenges. I believe that PE is a tool to motivate my students, build up their self-confidence and to overcome their disability. I too strive to ensure that my students have fun engaged in sports and PE like any ordinary student would.
Describe what a day is like as a PE teacher in your school.
Describe what a day is like as a PE teacher in your school.
My day starts with me preparing the different resources that I use for teaching for the different groups of students that I will interact with for that particular day. For instance, students with visual impairment, I would ensure that my equipment is tactile friendly and emanates sound. Students with visual impairment rely a lot on touch and sounds when they are participating in sports.
Additionally, I would place flat markers or use thick line markers on the floor to provide directions. For those who respond to visual stimuli - students whose sight is partially impaired, I tend to use equipment that are bright in colour and larger than the conventional PE equipment. When I engage students with multiple challenges such as autism & intellectual impediment, I ensure that I provide them with targeted support such as visual cue cards or with a recording for them to replicate.
At the end of the session, we would do a recap of the activities to highlight the successes or challenges that were encountered. From there, I will further modify the activities to better address my students’ learning abilities when they return for their next lesson with me.
What are some struggles and challenges you faced as a PE teacher in sped school?
What are some struggles and challenges you faced as a PE teacher in sped school?
As a PE teacher in a SPED school setting I struggled in the initial years as there was no syllabi that I could tap on to teach my students PE. I had to adapt and craft SOWs with its accompanying Lesson Plans into a PE syllabus.
Another challenge I faced was that there was no modified PE equipment available in the market specifically for my students, especially those with visual impairment. I had to modify some existing equipment so that my students will be able to access and be engaged during PE lessons in a safe manner. In the initial years also, there were no courses for the conduct of Adaptive and Inclusive PE. I had to source for my own knowledge and this led me to attend numerous online overseas courses.
Thankfully, my school management was supportive and this allowed me to curate the materials I now use as part of my Adaptive and Inclusive PE syllabus.
What are your hopes and dreams as a PE teacher?
What are your hopes and dreams as a PE teacher?
Firstly, my dream is to publish an Adaptive and Inclusive Physical Education Resource Book. In this book, there will be numerous activities pitched at varying levels of students’ abilities and readiness. I want this resource book to be readily available for everyone who teaches in a SPED school or works with students with challenges.
It will be free of charge but I do hope that fellow educators who use my resources, provide me feedback as to what went right or the gaps that need to be plugged so that this resource becomes a growing pool of knowledge. Lastly, I do hope that by doing this, we can uplift the standards of teaching Adaptive and Inclusive PE and more importantly inspire other physical educators to don the mantle to teach at a SPED school where the rewards are truly immeasurable.
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