So, what exactly is SPED Physical Education (PE), and how is the role of a SPED PE teacher similar to or different from that of a mainstream PE teacher? I would like to take this opportunity to share what SPED PE looks like, based on my personal experience and reflections as a SPED PE Educator.

When people think of SPED PE, they often assume that we simply teach adapted PE. I would like to challenge this perception. What does “adaptation” in PE actually mean? It involves adjusting teaching methods, rules, equipment, and the learning environment to meet students’ needs. But isn’t this what any PE teachers do as well? Not just in SPED, I am sure in mainstream PE too.

I would advocate that SPED PE teachers teach physical education at its very core. While we use adaptation frameworks to guide our planning, the essence of our work remains the same: we teach physical education, just like any other PE teacher would. Our students with special needs are learning to develop and progress their motor skills, improve their physical competence, and reach their fullest physical potential.

The Breadth of SPED PE

SPED PE encompasses five key learning areas:

1. Movement Education

2. Games and Sports

3. Aquatics

4. Outdoor Education

5. Physical Fitness

In a mainstream setting, some of these areas may be taught with the support of vendors or coaches. In SPED PE, however, the unique and diverse learning needs of our students mean that we most often take on the teaching of all these areas ourselves.

In my case, this means that beyond fundamental movement skills, games and sports, I also teach swimming, kayaking, campcraft and as a school team CCA coach. Training students for competitions such as Badminton, Soccer, Athletics, Swimming and the list goes on.

The reason is simple: not all external vendors or instructors are equipped to work with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and multiple physical disabilities who require moderate to high levels of support. As SPED PE teachers, we often have to be jacks of all trades and of course, masters of some!

To conclude, winning such a prestigious award from SPEA as the first OSPETA award recipient is not just a personal honour, it is a recognition of SPED PE teachers as a whole. It is a milestone that SPED PE Educators is included in the SPEA Community! I look forward to seeing many of my fellow SPED PE teachers recognised with the OSPETA Award in the years to come!