Open to opportunities

Drew Gatto

@drewgatto

Adapted physical education teacher and fitness coach, helping students with disabilities build strength, confidence, and independence.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead inclusive, strengths-based adapted physical education—collaborating on IEPs and behavior goals—while coaching athletes through evidence-informed training in a supportive, community-driven environment.

I’m an adapted physical education professional with a Master of Science in Education (Exercise and Sport Science) focused on adapted physical education teaching, with a Graduate Project on functional strength training for high school students with disabilities. I bring strong instructional fundamentals and a commitment to making movement accessible for learners across ability levels.

Through graduate internships and specialized adapted physical education experiences, I planned and implemented lessons, monitored IEP goals for progress reports, supported IEP planning and meetings, and collaborated with general education and related services professionals. I also assisted with implementation of behavior intervention programs, assessed skills, developed IEP goals, and built programming that supported independence and engagement.

Currently, I’m coaching and training across adapted and general fitness settings—serving as head trainer for an adapted program and delivering 1:1 personal training. At the school level, I work as an Adapted Physical Education Itinerant, supporting students with Adapted PE in their IEPs (grades K-10), and I’m motivated to keep developing inclusive, strengths-based programming through evidence-informed coaching and collaboration.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

CrossFit Coach & Trainer

Current

CrossFit Burke

Coached adult, teen, and youth classes, including adapted programming, and led training as head trainer for the Uniquely Abled program. Provided 1:1 personal training and coaching under supervision.

Adapted Fitness Exercise Scaling Functional Training Safety And Form Cues Program Execution

Current

Head Trainer - Adapted CrossFit

Current

Cardinal CrossFit

Served as head trainer for the adapted CrossFit program, coaching inclusive workouts for participants with disabilities. Supported delivery of programming under supervision.

Adapted CrossFit Programming Inclusive Fitness Coaching Exercise Modification Functional Training

Current

Adapted PE Itinerant Teacher

Current

Fairfax County Public Schools

Served as an Adapted Physical Education itinerant, supporting students in implementing their IEPs during physical education. Worked with students in grades K-10 under supervision.

Adapted Physical Education Inclusive Physical Education

Adapted PE Graduate Intern

Onalaska School District

Sep 2023 - May 2024 (8 months)

Planned and implemented adapted physical education lessons for students with a wide range of needs and disabilities. Monitored IEP goals for progress reports and supported IEP planning and meetings in collaboration with general PE and related services staff.

Adapted Physical Education Lesson planning IEP Progress Monitoring Inclusive Classroom Collaboration

Mentor Teacher Assistant

Mary Cariola Center

Sep 2020 - Dec 2020 (3 months)

Assisted a mentor teacher with lessons for students with varying levels of needs and disabilities. Supported instructional activities from September to December 2020.

Disability Support Lesson Assistance Inclusive Activities Student Engagement Observation And Support

Camp Abilities Coach

Camp Abilities

Coached athletes with visual impairments across a variety of sports and physical activities. Supported inclusive practices and developmentally appropriate participation throughout camp programming.

Adapted Sports Coaching Developmentally Appropriate Programming

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Master of Science in Education, Exercise and Sport Science (Physical Education Teaching)

Activities and societies: Concentration: Adapted Physical Education Teaching.

Pursuing a Master of Science in Education with a focus on Exercise and Sport Science: Physical Education Teaching. Concentration includes Adapted Physical Education Teaching, with a graduate project titled “Functional Strength Training for High School Students with Disabilities.”

State University of New York Brockport

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education

Activities and societies: Major: Physical Education Teacher Education; Concentration: Adapted Physical Education Teaching; Cumulative GPA: 3.98/4.0.

Earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education with an emphasis on Physical Education Teacher Education. Concentrated in Adapted Physical Education Teaching and completed the degree in May 2023.