Professor Nathan Perkins, an adaptive physical education instructor, teaches his students the importance of development and maintenance of strength, flexibility, and muscular strength by using fitness equipment and weights.
As a Bay Area native, Perkins grew up with his parents, an older brother and sister. He attended an orthopedic handicap program from ages 3 to 18 and then graduated with his bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in kinesiology. He was a star athlete for handicapped cross-country and in 1996, he participated in the Paralympics games as an athlete and won sixth place.
In the late 1990’s Perkins volunteered for the Adaptive PE Program at De Anza and then became an instructor.
Edwin Comer, in his fifth year at De Anza, said Perkins was “Very patient and understands how people with disabilities feel because he is handicapped.”
Not only does Perkins teach the importance of physical strength but Perkins also stretches the importance of group participation and social skills.
“Nathan is a really good teacher and I like how we have group participation because before I started this program I didn’t really talk to anyone and I would eat lunch by myself,” said Emily King, in her ninth year in the program. “Few years from now, I wouldn’t be here speaking with you if it hadn’t been for this program.”