Greg Raspanti 

 

1. What were your majors/minors?

Health and PE major; APE minor

 

 2.  Are you APENS certified?

No

 

3. How has the minor affected you?

Gained invaluable insight into the daily challenges faced by those with disabilities and approaches to overcoming such challenges to facilitate successful physical and social learning environments

 

4. Where are you now?

Current PhD student at the University of Maryland in Environmental Health and Toxicology Department. Graduate Teaching Assistant in Global Public Health.

 

5. What are your future plans?

Would like to continue in academia and find a professor position focusing on Environmental Health
 

6. A quick word of advice for future adapted minors or for parents looking for an adapted PE professional.

Jump into all opportunities with two feet and learn by making mistakes. You will learn various teaching approaches by trial and error and you will figure out what best suits your teaching style and what best suits the students. Most importantly, you have just as much to learn from the students as they have to learn from you.

 

 

 

Stu Greenberg

 

1. What were your Majors/Minors?
Masters: Health Education

Bachelors: Health & Physical Education

Minors: Adapted Physical Education and Health Sciences.

 

2. Are you APENS certified? No

 

3. How has the minor affected you?

The minor helped give me a deeper perspective in life. It showed me that no human should be alienated or discriminated against because of their social or genetic predisposition. People should have every opportunity to succeed while always having a chance to enhance their own quality of life.

 

4. Where are you now?

 Health & Physical Education Teacher at Toby Farms Elementary School K-8 in Chester Upland School District. I also coach several sports.

 

5. What are your future goals?

To work in Sports Administration.

 

6.  A quick word of advice for future adapted minors or for parents looking for an adapted PE professional.

My advice is good luck and get to teaching!

 

Kira Jahoda (Labagh)

 

1.What were your Majors/Minors?

At WCU I majored in Health & Physical Education with a minor in Adapted Physical Education... I also attended SUNY Brockport for my M.Ed. in Adapted Physical Education

2. Are you APENS certified? Yes

3. How has the minor affected you?

It led me to my teaching career at a public separate day school serving students with moderate to severe disabilities. The minor opened the door to obtain my masters as well as to participate in many Camp Abilities throughout the US.

 

4. Where are your currently employed?

I am employed for Prince George's County Public Schools at James E. Duckworth Regional School serving students ages 5-21 with moderate to severe disabilities in the area of Adapted Physical Education.

5. What are your future goals?

Future goals include continuing to teach Adapted Physical Education in the public school system as well as looking into an Administration degree in the future.

6. A quick word of advice for future adapted minors or for parents looking for an adapted PE professional.

Advice for the Adapted Physical Education Minors: You've already made a great choice to learn more about teaching physical education to children with disabilities . This will help you in so many aspects of your teaching career whether you choose to pursue Adapted PE or teach mainly in a general education setting. Your skills for differentiated instruction as well as your knowledge of many disabilities and special education laws will serve you well. Learn as much as you can while you are at WCU and if you are really passionate about APE, please reach to obtain your masters degree as well as APENS certification.

To parents looking for an adapted physical education professional: Any person listed on this page as an Adapted Physical Education minor from WCU has the knowledge and resources to guide you to gain appropriate services for your child. Reach out to them and they will be happy to share their knowledge of the great things available in the areas of adapted physical education, adapted physical activity & disability sport.

 

Angela Difilippo 

 

1. What were your Majors/Minors?

Major: K-12 Health/PE (2008)

Minor: Adapted PE

2. Are you APENS certified?

No, but I wish I had taken the exam when I was still in college!

3. How has the minor affected you?

 

Learning about many different disabilities taught me to appreciate diversity in the classroom and how I can accommodate all types of students. I am not the Adapted PE teacher at my school, but I frequently sit in IEP meetings and consult with the Adapted PE teacher for curriculum modifications.

 

4. Where are you now?

Audubon High School, Audubon, NJ, Grades 7-12

5. What are your future goals?

 

I finished my M. Ed in School Health at WCU in the summer of 2012. I plan to keep teaching Health and PE at the middle/high school levels. Someday, I plan to go back to school to obtain a doctorate so I can instruct Health Education courses at the collegiate level.

6. A quick word of advice for future adapted minors or for parents looking for an adapted PE professional.

 

Although the extra coursework can be stressful, it will make you a better candidate during interviews and pay off in your future career. Best of luck!

 

Andrew Silverman

 

1. What were your majors/minors?

Health & Physical Education Teacher Cert., Minors in Adapted P.E. and Coaching

 

2. Where are you now?

Working as a full time Health and Physical Education Teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. Coaching College Tennis as the Men's and Women's Assistant Coach at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.

 

3. How has the minor affected you?

The minor affected me in a very positive and eye opening way. Not only did I learn a lot, but it also gave me opportunities to do things I would have never thought possible. I was able to travel around the country and meet other professionals with the same ideas, and goals as myself and meet people that were just as passionate as I am about giving quality physical education to ALL children. Between organizing and founding the Camp Abilities benefit concert, being a coach at 3 different Camp Abilities around the country, getting involved with the PA state blind sports teams (which I still do, to this day), seeing Paralympics trials in Maryland, and helping out so many different types of children, I don't think I would be as humble and well rounded as I am now without those great opportunities. And the best part of it was the people I got to spend time with and being able to form bonds that will last a lifetime. You feel special to be part of this great program, and as challenging as it can be at different points, it’s a worthwhile challenge that you will be better off for doing. Never lose your passion to be an educator and a good role model. Practice what you preach, learn every day, and stick to your guns.

 

Stephanie Brady 

 

1.What were your majors/minors?

Health & Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education

 

2.Are you APENS certified?

Not yet

 

3.How has the minor affected you?

 The minor changed my life forever. I am the teacher and person I am today because of all the children, athletes, and professionals I have worked with. The minor gave me all new outlooks on life, new goals, new perspectives, and allowed me to find a passion that I did not realize I possessed.

 

4.Where are you now?

Currently, I teach 9th grade Health and Physical Education at Neptune High School (NJ) and I am their Girls' JV Lacrosse coach. I will be coaching JV Basketball this winter at a different school. I will be attending another USA Women's Goalball Trials camp in Birmingham, AL in November.

 

5.What are your future goals?

My future goals include becoming a CAPE. I would love to teach APE for a school district, or teach PE at a school for the blind. My ULTIMATE goal is to own and direct an all year adapted sports camp.

 

Kira Labagh 

 

1. What were your majors/minors?

BS Health & Physical Education, minors in Health Science & Adapted Physical Education

 

2. Are you APENS certified?

Not yet

 

3. How has the minor affected you?

The minor in Adapted Physical Education helped me to learn about children with a variety of disabilities and the continuum of placements that should be considered in order for the child to receive services in the least restrictive environment. I learned about the importance of advocacy, not only for people with disabilities but advocacy for my profession. The most important thing the minor did for me was to develop my passion for Adapted Physical Education which has led me to my current location in Brockport, NY.

 

4. Where are you now?

I am currently in Brockport, NY to obtain my Masters of Education in Adapted Physical Education at SUNY Brockport. I am a Graduate Assistant for Camp Abilities, a sports camp for children who are blind and visually impaired. Working with professors who are leaders in the field of adapted physical education has helped me gain more knowledge and understanding of all aspects of adapted physical education, including consultation with local school districts. I will graduate from SUNY Brockport in May 2010.

 

5. What are your future goals?

After graduation in 2010, I plan to take the APENS exam to become a Certified Adapted Physical Educator (C.A.P.E.). I will finish my graduate assistantship with Camp Abilities NY in June 2010 as well as actively searching for a job in Health & Physical Education or specifically Adapted Physical Education. After teaching in the public schools I would like to return to school and enter into a Doctoral program.

 

6. A quick word of advice for future Adapted PE minors or parents looking for an Adapted PE professional:

It is extremely important to advocate for everything in your life and the lives of those who you are teaching. Adapted physical education is very important to put on the child's IEP. From there, it is up to you to make sure the child receives Adapted Physical Education services in the proper placement during the school day. Those of you who are planning to take the minor; you are making a great choice! Even if you do not want to become an Adapted Physical Education specialist, the minor will help you to include students of all ability levels in activities during physical education as well as provide you with so many resources that you can use if you need further information on any topic related to adapted physical education or disability sport. Parents: those students who graduate with a background in adapted physical education can help you and your child get the services required for your child to successfully participate in physical education in your school district. Contacting a teacher with a background in adapted physical education can help with a consultation with your school district to ensure your child proper placement and services regarding adapted physical education.

 

Saree Swidersky  

 

1. What were your Majors/Minors?

Major in Health and Physical Education BS; Minor in Adapted Physical Education

 

2. Are you APENS certified?

I am not APENS certified.

 

3. How has the minor affected you?

The minor of Adapted Physical Education has positively influenced me because before attending WCU I really had no background or familiarity with individuals with disabilities. It wasn’t until Doc’s Intro to Adapted Phys. Ed class that I realized the connection and instantly fell in love with everything about the minor. The minor has shown me a new avenue for employment. I have never known the possibilities were so endless. It really opened my eyes to the Adapted World and I do my best every day to open other’s eyes at the wonderful world of Adapted PE.

 

4. Where are you now?

I am currently employed at Devereux PA Adult Services in Berwyn, PA. I am their FT Recreation and Activities Director for our campus and community living programs. This includes around 300 individuals that attend various activities on campus and in the community. I send out monthly calendars of events and activities as well as run some of my own on campus, pool volleyball, bingo, dance fitness, bowling, movie nights, etc. I also work 1 on 1 with a 21 year old who is blind, non-verbal and has autism. This is my PT job on the weekends and I have worked with him and his family for over 6 years now. I am considered a respite worker and take him to various outings in the community (horseback riding, music therapy, recreational activities, etc.) as well as work on ADL’s in his residence.

 

5. What are your future goals?

I am 27 years old and can honestly say that finding my job 2 years ago was the best thing that ever happened to me. No amount of money could ever make me leave. Seeing the smiles on our individual’s faces when they get a strike at bowling or bingo on their bingo card makes every second of working worth it! My future goals would be creating more activities on a larger scale and getting more of our individuals to partake in them.

 

6. A quick word of advice for future adapted minors or for parents looking for an adapted PE professional.

 My advice would be to always ask questions and never stop learning. I am not your typical graduate going into a physical education teaching position. I didn’t honestly want that after graduating. However working for a non-profit with an adult population was something that was new to me, but I wasn’t afraid of trying it out. Doc provides you with a wealth of knowledge and it’s up to you to take it all in and utilize it now and in the future. Still till this day, 5 years after graduation, a moment doesn’t pass where I may think, what would Doc do? Or share a story of how I taught a swim lesson a certain way and then I immediately think of Doc and our Wednesday Night Swim Meets. If you are not familiar with Adapted PE, don’t be afraid, embrace it and learn as much as you can. It’s a lot of information, but it will open up your mind and so many more doors to your future!

 

 

Daniel Karlyn  

 

1. What were your majors/minors?

Health and Physical Education Major

Adapted P.E. Minor

 

2.Are you APENS certified?

I am not APENS certified

 

3.How has the minor affected you?

The minor has influenced me as a teacher. I have become more well rounded and although I have not directly worked with students with disabilities, everyday adaptations and modifications have been useful in my everyday physical education classes.

 

4.Where are you now?

Currently employed by the Philadelphia School District

 

5.What are your future goals?

My future goals are to find a job in a suburban school closer to home and become a varsity baseball coach.

 

6. A quick word of advice for future adapted minors or for parents looking for an adapted PE professional.

My advice for future Adapted Minors is to go for it. Although it's a lot of work and a big time commitment, you walk away with not only gratification, but as a much more well rounded teacher. Even though many Adapted P.E. minors don't specifically go into teaching Adapted P.E., you use the skills and strategies learned throughout your teaching career to improve the overall quality of your teaching.

 

Kaylyn Boles Kirschner

 

1. What were your Majors/Minors?

 

Health and physical education

Minor in health sciences

Minor in APE

 

2. Are you APENS certified?

No

 

3. How has the minor affected you?

I'm just about every possible way! I tell everyone in my area that if it wasn't for my ape experience, I would not be where I am today. All the work with IEPs, modifications, SDIs, lesson plans, differentiated instruction, and much more, helped me immensely in my current job. When I got to my student teaching, I have already had experience in writing lessons, reaching classes, and inclusion. Many of the other PE student teachers struggled but I felt much more comfortable because of my experience in the minor. I owe all of that to doc.

 

4. Where are you now?

Downingtown Area School District, k-5 HPE

 

5. What are your future goals?

Just completed my masters in Ed and would love to eventually get my masters +30

 

6. A quick word of advice for future adapted minors or for parents looking for an adapted PE professional.

 

Keep working hard and really push yourself harder than you ever have before. Everything doc has you do is for a reason and will help you better your future in education; whether it is in APE or regular PE. This minor will be the most beneficial part of your career, even if you decide to take a different track. It helps you look at life differently.

 

Stephen Kobithen 

 

1. What were your majors/minors?

Kinesiology/Adapted Physical Education minor

 

2. Are you APENS Certified?  No

 

3. How the minor affected you?

 The minor opened my eyes up to another world. Showed me stuff that people with a disability do that I never dreamed of. I am a huge advocate now and always offer to get someone involved in a new sport or activity if they have recently become disabled or are just looking for help because they have had a disability their whole life.

 

4. Where are you now? Working in the family commercial roofing business

What are your future goals? To eventually retire from roofing after I have made myself a nice living and then teach.  (I love to teach kids)