Congratulations to Walt Whitman High School Physical Education teacher Bonnie MacConnell for being recognized as Adapted PE Teacher of the Year (2023-2024) by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYS AHPERD) Suffolk Zone. Each year, the organization recognizes the outstanding contributions of physical education, health, dance and recreation teachers across Suffolk County. Ms. MacConnell was recognized for her work in Adapted Physical Education (APE). APE provides specialized instruction to meet the needs of students with disabilities.      

“It's the same phys-ed that everybody else gets,” explained Ms. MacConnell. “We just have more modifications so we can meet everybody's needs. For instance, a student’s motor skills for being able to defend themselves when a ball is coming at them might be slower. So we use different balls, different equipment, some that move slower, some that are softer. So if they can't get their hands up or they can't get their leg out in time, they can still enjoy it and have fun without the fear of getting hurt.” 

Ms. MacConnell helped develop and run Whitman's ALTO phys-ed class, along with Mr. Rory Sherman. ALTO stands for All Learning Together as One. It combines mainstream students with Life Skills students who require Adapted PE. The South Huntington School District’s Life Skills program is for students with mild to severe intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down Syndrome and autism, and/or physical disabilities. “They buddy up with each other and they're together for the whole year. So they're almost like mini teachers in the class that are helping their peers out. It’s great because it bridges the gap between the Life Skills students and the rest of the school community. Now when they see each other in the halls, they say hi to each other and it's so nice to see how it has really grown,” said Ms. MacConnell. The ALTO program is in its second year.

Ms. MacConnell has been a physical education and health teacher in the South Huntington district since 2004. She wanted to be an archaeologist but when a college professor convinced her that she’d be spending most of her time in a lab in that profession, she decided to go to Adelphi University for a teaching degree in Physical Education and Health. She went on to get her graduate degree in Community Health. For a course in Adapted Physical Education, she spent a whole semester at the Henry Viscardi School here on Long Island, an acclaimed school for children with severe disabilities.  

That experience piqued her interest in APE because she saw how it changed lives. “The [mainstream] kids need to learn how to work with kids who don't have everything they do as far as ability. And accept them and accept that difference. And then those kids need the confidence that comes along with having people accept them for whatever their challenge is. That's a win-win for both situations,” said Ms. MacConnell. 

South Huntington Athletic Director Dave Barth nominated Ms. MacConnell for the award. She was shocked to learn she won, but said the award means a lot for her department. “I wouldn't be able to do what I do without the people I work with. So I think it says a lot for us as a [physical education] department about how much importance we place on every single student. Why we think phys-ed is so important because you can use it for life and how it can connect people. This award meant to me that we’re doing it right,” said MacConnell.

The New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Professional Awards were presented at the West Sayville Country Club in January.