Adaptive Physical Education Teacher

Title:  Adapted Physical Education Teacher 

Reports To:  Program Administrators 

Location of Work:

Bert Goens Learning Center

705 South Paw Paw Street

Lawrence, MI 49064

Start Date: December 8, 2025

Total Days: 187 days 

Job Goals:

The primary goal of the Adapted Physical Education Teacher is to provide standards-based instruction in adapted physical education to ensure that each student makes progress toward individual stated goals for both center-based programs (Learning Center & Maple Creek Education Center).

Qualifications:

Education:  

Master’s degree (M.A.) in Adapted Physical Education; Lifeguard Certification; First Aid and CPR Certification or willingness to complete the certifications.

Certification: 

K-12 Physical Education Certification; (SP) Physical Education for Students with Disabilities

OR 

K-12 Physical Education (MB) with willingness to complete the (SP) Physical Education for Students with Disabilities

Skills:

• General professional skills, including a willingness to:
• Make child-centered decisions.
• Assume positive intentions when working with others.
• Adhere to federal, state and VBISD policies and procedures.
• Model VBISD guidelines: Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence. 
• Complete assigned responsibilities within agreed upon timelines.
• Seek ongoing professional learning and accept feedback in a professional way.
• Perform additional tasks, responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education and the Superintendent.

Essential Job Functions:

• Plan and create lessons to teach movement, swimming, fitness to students of all levels with severe cognitive impairments, severe multiple impairments and autism
• Provides direct instruction and supervision of students within physical education setting
• Track student progress, collaborate with classroom teachers and other support staff to incorporate specific supports needed for communication and to regulate sensory overload
• Utilize positive behavior supports to manage challenging behavior.
• Observes, evaluates, and prepares reports on progress of students
• Meets with parents to provide support and guidance
• Regular and consistent attendance
• Attitude of acceptance and esteem for students
• Ability to communicate effectively including active listening skills 
• Keeps administrators abreast of classroom status, scheduling changes etc. 
• Ability to efficiently use computer and applicable software
• Ability to problem solve and willingness to collaborate with flexibility 
• Present ideas and information in a manner that gets student’s attention, and which encourages their engagement
• Maintain confidentiality
• Adapt to frequent changes in the work environment
• Practice safe work habits
• Develop and maintain atmosphere of teamwork
• Ability to travel between assigned locations.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Valid driver's license required.

Terms of Employment: As per master agreement and provisions established by the Van Buren Board of Education. 

This posting and our online application can be found on the Van Buren ISD’s website at www.vbisd.org under Employment.  If you do not have access to a computer with internet access, you may use a computer at VBISD by calling 269-539-5218. 

Position is open until filled.  

In-house staff must fill out the online internal application.