Phys Ed Lessons
I was a substitute teacher before I became a full-time elementary school teacher in upstate New York. One morning, I was assigned the physical education classes. I took a deep breath—PE was not exactly in my wheelhouse. Walking into the gym, I checked the lesson plan. Kickball.
First up was a double class of fifth- and sixth-grade boys. Just as I’d feared, the high-spirited group was especially competitive—charging toward the bases, diving for balls and challenging every call I made. And then, next up to kick came Miles, a student with special needs. I thought. Yet I didn’t want to say anything that would make Miles feel singled out. The pitcher rolled the ball toward home plate. I held my breath as Miles kicked. The ball arced up in the
