Tara J. McCarthy, M.S., CAPE
APE department lead at CASE in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and adjunct instructor at Northern Illinois University.
Tara has spent 27 years in adapted physical education: in gyms, at IEP meetings, in para training rooms and everywhere in between. At the Cooperative Association for Special Education she works with 11 other adapted PE teachers serving five school districts. At NIU she teaches the next generation of APE specialists.
She holds a B.S. in Physical Education and an M.S. in Adapted Physical Education from NIU, an Advanced Graduate Certificate for Director of Special Education, and Illinois Professional Educator Licenses in both Physical Education and Adapted PE.
Email Tara
“Every student is already communicating.”
Our job is to learn their language before we try to teach them ours.
Why REACH
Universal Design for Learning changed how we plan for students with disabilities, but in the gym it leaves a gap: health and safety. Seizures, medical equipment, elopement and fatigue shape whether a student can take part at all.
REACH is Tara's answer: a hub-and-spoke model with the student at the center and five spokes to check, Readiness, Engagement, Ability, Communication and Health & Safety. Every book, tool and training on this site grows from it.
Honors and credentials
- APE Teacher of the Year, 2019SHAPE America Midwest District
- APE Teacher of the Year, 2019IAHPERD
- Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE)NCPEID and APENS national registry
- Advanced Graduate CertificateDirector of Special Education
- Adjunct InstructorNorthern Illinois University
Built on research
The tools and chapters draw on peer-reviewed adapted PE research and national standards, including:
- APENS 15 National Standards
- SHAPE America national standards (2024)
- IDEA 2004, §300.108
- TGMD-3 and BOT-2
- Haegele and Kozub's para support continuum
- Giangreco (1997) and Winnick (2005)
- Universal Design for Learning
Questions
What format are the assessment tools in?
The SHAPE+REACH Assessment is a Word document with dropdowns, so all you need is Word. The Balance Assessment and IEP Goal Generator are Excel files. Both work on Mac and PC and are fully editable for your district. The REACH digital tools on the Tools page run in any web browser.
Is this only for APE specialists?
No. REACH is for anyone who teaches students with disabilities in PE, including general PE teachers, special education teachers, paraprofessionals and occupational therapists. Book 1 and the REACH Introduction workshop are written for general PE teachers.
Can I use the tools outside Illinois?
Yes. REACH is grounded in federal law (IDEA 2004) and national APENS and SHAPE America standards, so it applies in every state. The tools can be adapted to any state's IEP format.
Do the books count for CEUs?
The books are self-directed professional reading. The workshops carry SHAPE America CEU hours. If your district needs a specific format for credit, email Tara.
When will Book 1 be out?
Book 1 is in final manuscript development, with self-publication planned for 2026. It has an ISBN (9798255997541) and will be sold on Amazon and here. Join the free list to hear the day it launches.
Can my whole district get a license?
Yes. The District License ($799) covers unlimited staff, all curriculum units, a half-day REACH training, the para training session and optional district branding. Email Tara@iteachadaptedpe.com for a formal quote.