Teacher - Adaptive Physical Education (Special Education Itinerant)

About the role

The Special Education Itinerant Adaptive Physical Education Teacher provides individualized physical education instruction or services to children with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments in a public separate program. The position motivates students to develop appropriate skills, attitudes, and knowledge; utilizes a variety of instructional techniques appropriate to students’ abilities; and creates a safe and orderly learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide informative referrals for potential Adaptive Physical Education (APE) students.
• Assist in screening and placement of students with disabilities.
• Participate in IEP meetings and provide input on student progress and physical education goals.
• Communicate and interact effectively with students, parents/guardians, paraprofessionals, classroom teachers, general physical education teachers, and community.
• Implement the APE Individualized Education Program (IEP) process through evaluation, delivery of APE services, and development of standards-based IEP goals for students receiving APE services.
• Identify, develop, select, and modify instructional plans and materials to provide access to appropriate learning experiences within the health, family life, and physical education curriculum for APE students.
• Provide an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional developmental needs of individuals to improve physical and health literacy.
• Supervise students in movement settings.
• Regularly assess, monitor, and evaluate student progress and adapt instructional strategies as needed.
• Advocate for inclusive practices and access to physical education for all students.
• Stay current with best practices, research, and legal requirements related to adaptive physical education and special education.
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance teaching effectiveness.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education; Master’s preferred.
• Must hold or be eligible for a valid Virginia teaching license with an endorsement in Health & Physical Education.
• Must possess a valid FA/CPR/AED certification.
• Must be willing to attend Professional Learning on APE or have evidence of teacher preparation in APE.
• Experience working with students with disabilities in a physical education setting.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school administrators, employees, parents, students, and the community.
• Effective instructional delivery techniques and skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years’ teaching experience in Health and Physical Education.
• Evidence of teacher preparation in Adaptive Physical Education.
• Experience providing individualized physical education instruction or services to children with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds frequently and 25 to 50 pounds occasionally, and may assist, move, or restrain students when required to intervene in student safety issues.
• Work is performed in a school environment, both indoors and outdoors, depending on activities.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, lift, walk, stand, and hear.