William Floyd School District: Nicole Alesi Named Suffolk Adapted Physical Education Teacher Of The Year

September 28, 2021

Nicole Alesi, William Floyd High School physical education teacher, was recently named this year’s recipient of the Suffolk Zone Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYS AHPERD), an honor reserved for those who demonstrate excellence in teaching and overall performance in physical education.

Ms. Alesi, who has served as both a physical education and adapted physical education teacher at William Floyd High School, has implemented creative teaching methods such as using technology through Wii Sports to help students engage in healthier fitness, as well as teaching movement through dance and fitness via the interactive Promethean board.

Outside of her role as a physical education teacher, Ms. Alesi has volunteered her time to the William Floyd community specifically with students with special needs. She is the Special Olympics coach, has chaperoned Special Olympics dances and bike-a-thons, as well as virtual activities during the pandemic to help continue engaging with her students remotely. She also serves as the head coach of unified basketball – a team that is comprised of students with special needs and general education students who work together to have fun and compete against other local schools.

Joanne Hamilton, Suffolk Zone Professional Awards Committee chairperson, added, “I believe Nicole should be nominated for this award because of her passion, creativeness and willingness to grow and learn as an educator. Nicole’s passion for working with students with disabilities has an infectious impact on the culture and behavior of her classes.”

Ms. Hamilton added that Ms. Alesi does an excellent job providing her students with a variety of activities that promote better health and wellness as a lifelong skill. She encourages her students to participate in sports, join gyms, use their community resources and get out and be active in their own backyard.

Ms. Alesi has devoted most of her adult life to teaching physical education. “Before coming to William Floyd I was a teaching assistant in a 12:1:2 life skills classroom. I learned so much about myself and developed a passion for working with students with special needs.”

“It is an honor to be recognized as the Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year,” Ms. Alesi said. “As someone who has volunteered for the Special Olympics and worked in special education in some capacity for almost a decade, being nominated for this award is a tremendous compliment.”

Ms. Alesi is scheduled to be honored by NYS APHERD at the Suffolk Awards dinner scheduled for January 2022 at the West Sayville Country Club.

This press release was produced by the William Floyd School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.