Michael Bennett

I have been teaching Adapted Kinesiology at Saddleback College since Fall 2007 and served as the department chair from 2009 to 2024. My work at Saddleback has provided the perfect opportunity to combine my passion for helping others with my dedication to mentoring students pursuing health professions. In addition to teaching activity courses in resistance training, flexibility, and aquatics, I also teach an online course titled Introduction to Therapy and Rehabilitation, which is aimed at students exploring careers in healthcare. Students in this course have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with adapted students.

Outside the classroom, I serve as the Local Program Coordinator for the Special Olympics and chair the CAPED Adapted Physical Education CIG for Southern California. One of my proudest achievements was being recognized as the VETS professor of the year at Saddleback College in 2014 for collaboration between the VETS and adapted program. I have also had the opportunity to organize Unified Sports games, which brought together our adapted and intercollegiate athletes.

I’ve also had the honor of serving three times as the Southern Chair for the statewide Adapted Physical Educators of California.

After completing my undergraduate studies, I worked with the Adapted Physical Education Program at Fresno City College. During my graduate studies, I gained further experience at the Adapted Fitness and Wellness Center at CSU Long Beach.

Before joining Saddleback College, I worked as a physical therapist at Saddleback Hospital, where I gained experience in critical care, acute rehabilitation, and both inpatient and outpatient therapy.

I live in San Clemente with my wife and two daughters.