March 7, 2024
Written by Sophie Schachter
Andrew Sokol, alumnus of the University of California, Madison, Class of 2022, College of Education;
The Physical Education Teacher Education Program pioneered an adaptive physical education program at an elementary school in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and is now expanding throughout the district.
Students in this program receive an additional day of physical education each week to specifically address their physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. For Sokol, this means his seven children at his elementary school come every Wednesday morning for extra physical education class. “This way, children are not excluded from the classroom with their classmates,” Sokol said.
As the project progresses, Ms. Sokol has a number of things she hopes to accomplish with the development of the program, including a “best buddy” system that engages fifth-grade leaders in peer help and support.
Sokol credits his passion for working with people with disabilities to his time as a student at UW-Madison. adapted fitness Program under Tim Gattenby.
“If the University of Wisconsin-Madison athletic department had not put such emphasis on supporting people with specific needs and students with IEPs, the addition of this program at Edgewood would still have been ignored. “Sokol said. Other professors, such as Cindy Kulash and current Oak Creek teacher James Hummer, also played pivotal roles in creating enthusiasm for Sokol's program.
Sokol hopes that highlighting this program will inspire others and prove to other physical education teachers that it is possible to do something similar in their district. Mr. Sokol would like to thank his fellow elementary school physical education teachers, principals, and special education teams for helping launch this program. The team moves forward. ”
“Sometimes it feels like PE is an afterthought in school, or seen as an extra recess for students,” Sokol continues. “But really, this is a very collaborative group of individuals focused on serving and educating students with diverse needs across a variety of disciplines. And my goals are: Ultimately, it’s about helping change that narrative.”
