Samantha Stewart wins National Adaptive PE Teacher Award
Some of her colleagues sought to help her gain recognition for her work and nominated her for the Society of Health and Physical Educators’ award for Adaptive PE teaching in California. She won. Earlier this month, Stewart received the National Adaptive PE Teacher award from the Society of Health and Physical Educators of America or SHAPE America. After being nominated in fall of 2022, Stewart was awarded at the organization’s national convention in Seattle, Washington which was held from March 28 to April 1.
Stewart enjoys teaching Adaptive PE to help students learn new ways to enjoy life. “The most rewarding [thing] is being able to make an inclusive club and have an inclusive sport. A lot of my students at this age haven’t learned how to ride a bike and so we have bike days and I’m able to, with the staff, get the students to ride the bikes. Bringing new experiences to our students, teaching them new recreational and leisure games- giving them a taste of the world so when they go out in the community with their families, they’re able to access whatever they’re doing with their families,” Stewart said.
After winning these awards, Stewart continues to express her love for teaching. “I’m going to keep advocating and I’m going to keep pushing for inclusion, helping, doing this at the school, planting a little seed in all of our heads that this world needs to be more inclusive for all, especially for students with physical and cognitive disabilities,” Stewart said.
