In this episode of Teach in Ten, we sit down with Michelle Roberts, a hearing itinerant and adaptive PE teacher who reminds us that innovation doesn’t always start with a big idea; it often starts with a problem that needs solving.

Michelle talks about her work in hearing itinerant services and adaptive physical education, and how those roles pushed her to rethink what access and inclusion really look like in PE. When traditional equipment didn’t work for students in wheelchairs, especially for activities like soccer, she didn’t stop at “this won’t work.” Instead, she figured out how to make it work. She shares how she adapted materials, modified gameplay, and tested ideas until students could fully participate.

We also get into the real-life challenges of innovation: not enough time, limited space, and the constant balancing act teachers face every day. Michelle is honest about how hard innovation can be, but she also shares why it’s worth it, because when barriers are removed, student confidence, engagement, and growth skyrocket.