About Me

Background Information

My name is Tara J. McCarthy. I recently received my Director of Special Education Certification (2020). Previously, I received my Bachelor of Science in Education; Physical Education (1997) and my Master of Science in Education; Adapted Physical Education (1999) from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. With this certification, I have also received additional endorsements in teaching business, marketing and management, as well as economics. I received an Associates of Arts and Science Degree (1993) from Triton College in River Grove, IL.

I currently hold two teaching certifications, in order to teach regular and adapted physical education. I also hold a National Certification in Adapted Physical Education. In addition to teaching physical education, I have middle and high school endorsements in teaching Business, Economics, Marketing, and Management.

Current Employment Status

I am an Adapted Physical Education Teacher employed by The Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE) in Glen Ellyn, IL. This is my Twenty-Third year teaching for CASE. Adapted Physical Education is the science of developing, implementing, and monitoring a carefully designed instructional program in physical education for learners with various disabilities based on a comprehensive assessment.

As an adapted physical education teacher, my duties include creating the movement curriculum for approximately 25-40 students with mild to profound disabilities in grades kindergarten through high school. In order to serve this population, I travel between elementary, middle schools and high schools on a daily basis. I also communicate with regular physical education teachers, the classroom teachers, the physical and occupational therapists, as well as the principals and directors in each of these schools in order to create and manage an individualized movement programs for the children within the physical education classes.

Teaching Specialties

I am drawn to teaching students with severe and profound disabilities and students with on the Autism Spectrum, but, I teach all students with and without disabilities.