My First Day as an Adapted PE Teacher—What I Learned (The Hard Way)

Sarah Fuller, MS CAPE
Aug 7
2 min read

Being an Adapted Physical Education teacher is one of the most rewarding jobs out there—but let’s be real, it also comes with surprises, especially on day one. If you’re new to APE or about to step into a new school year, this post is for you.

I'm sharing a true story from my very first day teaching Adapted P.E., along with the lessons I learned the hard way—and how you can be ready for whatever your first week throws at you.

📚 Day One: The Unexpected Obstacle Course in Adapted PE

I walked into the gym on my first official day as an Adapted P.E. teacher, heart pounding and clipboard in hand. I had a color-coded lesson plan, visual schedules, and a brand-new whistle. I thought I was ready.

Then the students arrived.

One student sprinted straight past me and tried to open the emergency exit door. Another was curled up on the floor and refused to move. One paraprofessional whispered, “He doesn’t like loud spaces,” and left to grab noise-canceling headphones. My perfectly planned warm-up? Completely ignored.

That day, my lesson plan went out the window—and in its place, I learned something way more important.

💡 What I Learned That Day (and Every Day Since)

1. It’s Okay to Make Mistakes—Flexibility is Your Friend

Your first lesson probably won’t go as planned. That’s not a failure—it’s part of the process. In APE, you’re constantly adapting (pun intended). What worked with one group might flop with another. Be ready to adjust, redirect, and improvise.

2. Building Trust > Having a Perfect Plan

Students will respond to how you make them feel before they respond to what you’re teaching. That first day, once I sat on the floor and played catch instead of insisting on the warm-up, everything changed. The student who was hiding under the bleachers peeked out. Another cracked a smile. That was the real win.

3. You’re Not Alone—Every Teacher Has a “First Day” Story

Talk to any veteran APE teacher, and they’ll tell you their version of the “chaotic first day” story. You’re part of a bigger community of educators learning, growing, and supporting each other. So, if you had a rough start—welcome to the club. You belong here.

🛠️ Key Takeaways:

Flexibility is a superpower in Adapted P.E.
Connection comes before compliance.
Don’t be afraid to ditch the plan in service of the moment.
Give yourself the same grace you give your students.

🎒 Free Resource: Back-to-School Starter Kit

Want tools to help you plan, adapt, and communicate with confidence in your first week?📥 Download the Free Back-to-School Starter Kit (Includes templates, checklists, and ready-to-print visuals)

📘 Dive Deeper:

For more stories, strategies, and resources, check out my book: The Ultimate Adapted P.E. ManualIt’s packed with month-by-month plans, behavior supports, visual tools, and real-life stories to help you thrive in the APE world.