Dakota Meadows staff spotlight: unified phys ed class draws praise, student leaders and career interest

The board recognized Jody Evers, a teacher at Dakota Meadows Middle School, for leading a co‑taught unified physical education program that administrators say has increased inclusion and student leadership.

Aaron Hyer, principal at Dakota Meadows, described the class as “probably the classroom that I feel like has the most joy and happiness, belonging, inclusivity that we have.” Hyer told the board the program grew from a site visit and staff nomination and that it now produces visible peer interactions across the school.

In her remarks, Evers said the unified structure expanded her contact with more students and that general‑education students now "stop in my classroom and they check‑in on the students." She reported that two students told her they were considering becoming special education teachers in the future after participating in the program.

Evers described joint activities that reinforce peer relationships: last week the class toured an MSU hockey facility and observed practice, using a “unified buddy” pairing of general‑education and special‑education students to guide visits. She also said the class will run stations with the MSU basketball team the next day.

Board member Baker thanked Evers for bringing the vision into practice and asked for an “elevator pitch” for the program when board members hear questions from the community. Evers and Hyer emphasized the multi‑age advisory and leadership opportunities for older students helping sixth graders as complementary pieces of the school’s approach.

The recognition was presented as an information item; no formal board action was required.