Job Description

Title:   PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER – ADAPTED

Position Type: Exempt

Primary Function:

The Physical Education Teacher -Adapted will assist school teams with strategies, resources, and equipment to help students with disabilities participate in general PE activities, either in their current or modified form. This includes offering direct support to PE teachers and providing individualized instruction or services to meet the specific needs of students with disabilities. The position also involves creating a classroom environment that encourages students to understand the connection between exercise and a healthy body, motivates physical fitness, promotes social and emotional growth, and helps students develop their physical talents. The teacher will focus on building strength, skill, agility, poise, and coordination in individual, team, and sport activities, tailored to each student’s abilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in adapted physical education or health/physical education or a closely related field and must be eligible for a VA Teaching license
• Three years of teaching experience is preferred
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations governing special education programs
• Experience with providing individualized physical education instruction or services to children with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments
• Valid CPR/First Aid certification
• Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time
• Must be able to physically lift up to 25 pounds

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate Certificate in Adapted Physical Education; Master’s degree with a concentration in Adapted Physical Education; or twelve semester hours specifically addressing the educational needs of students with disabilities, with a minimum of nine semester hours specific to adapted physical education

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Considerable skill in the use of data analysis in performance of tasks
• Demonstrated experience in working with special education programs and initiatives
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with students, parents, school personnel, and members of the community
• Ability to prepare required written reports including clear and concise reporting

Performance Responsibilities:

• Teaches knowledge and skills in physical fitness, health education, rhythm and dance, and individual, dual or team sports, utilizing curriculum designated by The York County School Division
• Works cooperatively with other physical education teachers in planning and implementing a balanced physical education program
• Develops lesson plans and supplementary materials compatible with the division’s basic instructional philosophy and congruent with course and SOL standards; provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student
• Provides appropriate safety instruction and makes safety checks on equipment and field areas to ensure the overall safety of students
• Evaluates academic and social growth of students, prepares report cards, and keeps appropriate records to include attendance reports, checklists, and other recordkeeping activities as necessary.
• Supervises students in out of classroom activities during the assigned working day
• Administers testing in accordance with division testing practices
• Screens, evaluates and makes recommendations for services for students qualifying for adapted physical education services
• Develops, selects, and modifies instructional plans and materials to provide access to appropriate learning experiences within the physical education curriculum for APE students
• Develops appropriate IEP present level of performance and goals for students receiving adapted physical education services and monitors progress
• Attends and actively participates in IEP meetings for students eligible for or receiving adapted physical education services
• Adapts activities to ensure inclusivity, focusing on motor skills development, fitness, coordination, and social interaction
• Works with students to build self-esteem, motivation, and a positive attitude toward physical activity.
• Provides guidance and support to students with emotional, behavioral, or physical challenges during PE lessons and implements appropriate behavioral interventions when needed, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment
• Provides consultation to teachers and staff in the areas of evaluation, development of education and service plans, implementation of services, and progress monitoring
• Communicates regularly with parents, guardians, and other team members to share progress, concerns, and updates on students' physical development
• Works closely with occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, special education case managers and teachers, physical education teachers and other specialists to integrate interdisciplinary approaches in lesson planning
• Maintains professional competence by attending staff development programs, curriculum development meetings and other professional activities to remain familiar with best practices, teaching strategies, and legal requirements related to adapted physical education
• Develops and delivers professional development and training for educational staff
• Orders, makes available and maintains inventory of adapted equipment and adapted instructional resources
• Leads a team to organize and plan division level inclusive events such as Feet Meet, Unified Teams, and Unified PE
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the principal or other appropriate administrator

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; and to bend, to stoop, to sit on the floor, to climb stairs, to walk and to reach overhead.

Reports to:

Coordinator of Arts and Physical Education; Associate Director of Special Education

Terms of Employment:

200 days per year. Additional days may be contracted for specific job assignments. Salary according to School Board Pay Plan.

Evaluation:

Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with School Board policy and administrative regulations on the evaluation of licensed personnel.

5/6/2025