Integrated Physical Education (P.E.) is one of the many gym classes offered to juniors and seniors. The course allows students to work one-on-one with students with special needs and help them during the period.

This course is run by gym teacher Daniel Vanderjeugdt. He founded the class in 2017, inspired by similar classes in District 219. The class is great for students who want to go into the teaching field or want to help out in a new environment.

Vanderjeugdt works alongside Special Education teachers Shaun Kennedy and Adrian Batista to create an environment where peer leaders can assist in the gym. The class goes through many different units: swim, soccer, dance, baseball and more.

“It gives you an opportunity to help out in a way in our school with students who have special needs. The second reason I think it’s great for you to do this is because I think it looks wonderful on an application to a college. When you can come out of your comfort zone and work with students with special needs, I feel that makes you a special person,” Vanderjeugdt said.

In joining this class, students will learn a variety of skills and lessons, including communication by working one-on-one with students who may be nonverbal. Another skill that can come out of this class is leadership. One will be working closely with peers each day to provide a positive space for them to grow and explore. Peers can get to know each other on a more one-on-one basis and build new connections with each other. Senior Spencer Dugan has taken the class two years in a row.

“I really like integrated P.E. because it gives me a chance to work with students who I wouldn’t normally get to work with. I like to help them in doing things that I enjoy because it makes me feel happy,” Dugan said.

The opportunity to meet and work with students with special needs is not one that many students get to have as most of our classes at Niles West aren’t integrated apart from Integrated Physical Education and Arts Appreciation. A first-year student in the class expresses their experience participating in the course.

“I love it. It is such a nice break from the school day and I get to connect with students that I wouldn’t have been able to in my daily classes,” senior Talia Spector said.

Incoming juniors and sophomores struggling to pick out a gym class for their schedule next year can consider joining integrated P.E.