Meet Academy360’s Phys Ed Teachers and Coaches

Being active plays an important part in the health and happiness of our students. With our physical education classes, after school program activities and school sports, Academy360 offers many opportunities for students to get up and moving – and have fun!

Meet the team of fitness teachers and coaches who work with our Academy360 students on everything from adaptive physical education to cheerleading and basketball.

Coach Stephen Waters
Physical Education teacher; Upper School Basketball coach

Coach Waters has been with Academy360 (formerly The Children’s Institute) for an amazing 37 years. While a student at Rutgers University, Coach had his first experience with children on the spectrum, volunteering on the weekends with a recreational program for this community. One challenge Coach encountered when beginning his teaching career was learning how to communicate with students both non-verbal and verbal. He mastered the valuable skill of using different learning techniques to connect with students using visuals (video) and auditory (music) aids. And through observing the cognitive, behavior and independent growth of his students, he exceeded his own expectations.

As a physical education teacher with the A360 Upper School, Coach guides students in adaptive sports-related activities and fitness strengthening. But teamwork is one of the most important skills for students to acquire, he feels, which teaches them empathy and the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal.

Activities with students:
Adaptive Sports related activities, fitness activities, team building skills.

On teamwork:
“Teamwork is a concept that once you master it effectively, you can utilize it throughout your life.”

Favorite part of the job:
Observing the cognitive, behavioral, and independent growth of my students.

Quote:
“The greatest motivation I have each day is when I can teach students a life-long skill that they can enjoy themselves in a family gathering or outing. That is what it is all about.”

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Sally Curci
Physical Education teacher at Academy360 Upper School

As an Academy360 physical education teacher for over 11 years, Sally believes in setting high expectations for students and then adjusting according to each student’s needs. Herself a parent of a son with autism, she says it is most important that students know they are respected and believe that we all are special and have something to offer.

To help motivate and challenge students, Sally uses a preference assessment during programs to to determine students’ level of ability and to make sure they progress over time. She loves to use music and preferred items to encourage students who are disinterested in physical education, and taking her class outside to enjoy the fresh air whenever the weather and situation permits.

Sally believes that success stories can happen at any scale – something small can be monumental for that particular student. One of her students had been averse to touching a ball and often preoccupied with OCD behaviors, but is now catching and throwing a ball ten times in a row.

“It may seem like a minor accomplishment to some” says Sally, “ but when you’ve worked so hard on a goal and then it is reached, it’s very rewarding.”

Activities with students:
Works on individual fitness and activity programs in A360 Upper School L.I.F.E. classes.

On teamwork:
“Teamwork is vital to the success of the organization. I truly believe we must work together for the best outcome for our students. I rely a lot on my staff for input about their particular student(s) since they spend so much with them.”

Favorite part of the job:
“I love sharing my passion for fitness and music and love combining them to create an atmosphere that is inviting and motivating.”

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Oliver Dent
Physical Education teacher at Academy360 Upper School

Oliver has been with Academy360 Upper School for 12 years, working with students on a range of sports-related activities. A tennis instructor prior to joining staff, Oliver shares his love for the sport with students taking part in the After School Program’s tennis classes.

Having not worked with children on the spectrum before arriving at Academy360, Oliver found one of his biggest challenges was adapting to multiple learning levels in his classes. By encouraging teamwork, he discovered students helped each other succeed not only in physical activities but also in gaining social skills necessary in team sports and life.

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Gloria Nelson
Certified School Counselor in the Clinical Dept.; Cheerleading coach

In addition to being one of Academy360 Upper School’s vital school counselors, Gloria is the ball of energy behind the school’s cheerleading team. Having succeeded Cindie Newkirk upon her retirement, Gloria is passionate about making this classic school activity fun and accessible to all.

All students, regardless of ability or gender, are welcome to join as long as they have medical clearance.  What they all share in common is an abundance of enthusiasm for the sport. Joining Gloria in guiding the squad are assistants Ann Ball and Tynesha Cummings.

Gloria has been part of the Academy360 community for a total of six years, with a brief interruption while completing her masters degree. One of the biggest lessons she’s learned while working in our community is realizing that each individual learns differently and has something unique to offer.

“Once this is discovered, creative ideas are welcomed in this organization which makes us very unique in comparison to other educational programs.”

Activities with students:
In addition to cheerleading duties, as a school counselor Gloria assists students with self-care, which may include: meditation and mindfulness practices; positive affirmations (“I” statements); role play to practice conflict resolution etc.

On teamwork:
“Teamwork brings everyone’s thoughts and strengths together in order to make a powerful impact with our organization.”

Favorite part of the job:
“My favorite aspect of my role as a cheerleading coach is the ability to make our students smile after a long wait due to the challenges of COVID-19.”

Quote:
“When we look at accomplishments, we usually determine this on a larger scale. However at Academy360, every day is a success story with our students.”

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Ann Ball
Teacher’s assistant; Cheerleading squad assistant

Ann came to Academy360 after 15 years in marketing and corporate health with a hospital. Ready for a change, she found TCI while working as a substitute teacher and believed she could make a difference with our students.

Twelve years later, Ann is still making a difference daily with our students with her enthusiasm and encouragement. To get students involved, she demonstrates activities to show them not only how to do it, but how much fun it is. When bringing music into the classroom, she says an important fact she learned early on is that music alone doesn’t make a difference – it has to be music THEY like, to drum up active participation.

Ann is invaluable in assisting the cheerleading squad and managing the logistics of the basketball games.

“I love showing students new skills that they never knew they could do. Getting cheerleaders enthused and excited to make the crowd cheer. Choreographing dances for cheerleaders!”

About the basketball team, she says:

“Coach Waters and I have had many conversations with students with behaviors who want to be on the teams but we are worried about how they might act. We talk to them about how being part of a team is an honor and a privilege, and how good behavior is essential on any team. We let them know they are representatives of our school and need to always show respect and kindness. We are always working on this with at least 1 or 2 students every year. We have a ‘3 strikes you’re out’ policy and they have always adhered to it…SO FAR!”

Challenge:
Getting the team’s uniforms back to us to wash after every game!

Activities with students:
Basketball drills, soccer, walking, tennis Asteroids, stretching, scooter races

On teamwork:
“Teamwork helps students realize that their world is much bigger than what they are thinking about or what their interests are; They see how communicating with others can be rewarding.”

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Samantha Wach
Physical Education and Transportation Coordinator at Academy360 Lower School

Early in her physical education journey, Samantha realized she loved working with kids. While in college pursuing her degree in physical education and health, she worked for seven years in a daycare center and was an aide in a school for hearing impaired children, spending time in language-limited classrooms and with students having behavioral issues.

A personal challenge for Samantha is adapting physical education strategies. At Academy360, Samantha must recognize and meet the needs of students with varying learning styles in a physical setting. Learning how to best make use of visuals and non-verbal clues in fitness classes is something she continues to learn herself and work on with students every day.

Not all students are enthusiastic about activity or movement and for those students Samantha finds that having them help lead the class or help others is something that can draw them into the action.

This teamwork benefits students, she says, by showing them how working together can benefit each other. By bringing everyone to work together, students can learn that teamwork and cooperation can be a positive learning experience.

Activities with students:
Physical fitness, basketball, soccer, football, hockey, handball, field games, kickball, cooperative games, individualized movement activities.

On teamwork:
“Teamwork is the glue to working in any school. We are all part of the success for the students, and each and everyone of us matters.”

Favorite part of the job:
“I love seeing the enjoyment on the students’ faces when they are participating in any of the activities or games the class is involved in.”

Quote:
“It took many years for me to build confidence in myself after graduating college. If you keep trying your hardest and don’t give up, you can reach your goals and you can always continue to grow.”