Alum named National Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year for her efforts advancing inclusivity in the classroom.
Cadi Doyle ’14 has been named the 2024 National Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America. SHAPE America’s national educational standards in health and physical education (PE) set the framework for curriculum and instruction to improve the well-being of preK-12 students.
“Initially I thought there was no chance that I was going to get it,” Doyle said. “I saw the great things that the other two [candidates] did too, so I knew that no matter who won, Adapted PE would be well represented.”
Cade Doyle accepting her award
After receiving a nomination, candidates must win teacher of the year on the state level followed by winning on the district level before finally moving to the national level. After winning the district award, candidates must record and submit a lesson, answer a series of questions, and provide multiple references to the judges.
All told, the process took Doyle about two years. Of course, that doesn’t include the many years of dedication to her field that got her to this point.
“I just finished my eighth year in Fairfax County in Virginia. Our program is very large,” Doyle said. “We have over 50 itinerant teachers that cover the district, whereas other counties might have one or two people that do Adapted PE.”
“I knew that no matter who won, Adapted PE would be well represented.”
Cadi Doyle
As the lead teacher of her district’s program, Doyle spends a lot of her time supporting newer teachers om behavior management strategies, creating class structure and routine and understanding special education procedures. When she isn’t managing other teachers, she is developing programming and working with students of her own.
“I started the Peer Buddies program where we had general education students come into our self-contained PE classes,” Doyle said. “It was really cool to see those friendships develop, and it culminated in them going on a Special Olympics field trip.”
Doyle also led an Inclusive Schools Week, which is a national movement where schools dedicate the same week each year to education about diversity and inclusivity in all forms, including those with disabilities. She also formed and coached a unified basketball team, in which students with and without disabilities joined together to develop skills and participate in a tournament.
When Doyle initially came to Brockport for her undergraduate degree, she was enrolled in General PE. She wasn’t even aware of Adapted PE until she had the chance to experience it first-hand.
“I learned about Adapted PE, and it turned out that Brockport is one of the best schools in the country for it.”
Cadi Doyle
“My older cousin ran a respite program for children with autism, and I got paired up with a little boy with autism. I ended up being in that program for the next three and a half years,” Doyle said. “Through him is where I grew that interest in working with children with disabilities. Then I learned about Adapted PE, and it turned out that Brockport is one of the best schools in the country for it.”
A decade later, Doyle still has a close relationship with that little boy and his family who she got to know.
“He’s in his 20s now and taller than me,” Doyle said. “They’re definitely more than just a student that I watched a few hours a week. They’re like a part of my family now.”
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