Jennifer Rincon
MPUSD Adapted PE Teacher Jennifer Rincon: 'Everyone is part of the community'
Every week, Adapted Physical Education (APE) Teacher Jenn Rincon travels across the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, serving students from preschool through adult transition at more than ten schools. Her schedule is packed, but the purpose behind it is simple: create joyful, meaningful movement experiences for students of all abilities.
Rincon, now in her 17th year with MPUSD, began her career teaching general education PE before moving into special education, a path she always knew she’d take. Raised by a special education teacher, she grew up around the work, the students, and the belief that every child is capable of far more than what others may assume.
“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for our kiddos,” she said. “When things click for them, even if it takes a long time, it’s magical.”
From music cues students have followed since preschool to trial-and-error adaptations on the fly, Rincon designs environments where students feel safe, supported, and excited to participate.
“A lot of this work is repetition, routine, and fun,” Rincon said. “They need to buy in and that means I have to be all-in too. Dancing, jumping, modeling everything.”
She also closely partners with classroom teachers and support staff, who help reinforce routines and share insight into what students love including favorite characters, songs, and interests that can spark engagement.
For Rincon, inclusion isn’t a concept, it’s a daily practice.
MPUSD’s schools integrate students with disabilities into campus life through morning meetings, peer partner programs, and unified PE classes. General education “peer partners” often fifth and sixth-grade helpers join APE sessions to model skills, encourage classmates, and build friendships.
“Students buy in so much more when peer partners are involved,” Rincon explained. “Some of these students have been doing this since elementary school. Now they’re in leadership or the Steps Club at Seaside High, and they still support our programs. We start young.”
Those long-standing relationships help build trust, confidence, and a sense of belonging for students with disabilities.
One of MPUSD’s most celebrated APE offerings is its surf sensory program, now in its third year. In partnership with the Wahine Project, Rincon and her colleagues bring every special education class in the district to the beach four to five times a year.
As far as Rincon and her team can tell, MPUSD is the only school-based surf sensory program of its kind in the United States.
“We’ve had parents who never felt safe taking their kids to the beach,” she said. “Now they go on weekends. Some of our nonverbal students are saying new words ‘ocean,’ ‘wave,’ ‘sand.’ It’s incredible.”
The program has also become a community hub: occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, principals, and families join in, creating an environment where students feel supported both physically and emotionally.
Rincon’s work extends beyond the shoreline. She and her colleagues coordinate Special Olympics events and districtwide activities designed to celebrate students with disabilities. These events consistently draw families, volunteers, and even neighboring school districts.
“We want our students to feel special,” she said. “They may not be on the championship basketball team, but they deserve the spotlight. They deserve moments where everyone is cheering for them.”
As MPUSD celebrates Inclusive Schools Week, Rincon hopes the community continues recognizing the power of involvement, understanding, and high expectations for all students.
“Everyone is part of the community,” she said. “It doesn’t matter your ability, your race, your background, everyone belongs. That’s what we want our students to feel every single day.”
Rincon was recently honored as the San Andreas Regional Charter Special Education Teacher of the Year. Through creative adaptations, inclusive athletics, and support of the surfing program, she opens doors for students of all abilities to stay active, build confidence, and succeed. She embodies the spirit of the MPUSD Way.