If you are like me, the thought of the alarm clock ringing for the first day of school is becoming very unpleasant. You've enjoyed the summer vacation, you've caught up with friends and family and even binged most things on your Netflix list.. and right about now your sleep hygiene is pretty much broken! EVERYTHING …
It's another summer of sport, filled with athletes performing to their potential. European soccer teams are in town for their preseason tours, NFL athletes are at training camp, and NBA preseason dates were just released. As summer winds down and the new school year looms, teachers, like athletes, can benefit from a well-structured preseason routine. …
Continue reading Ready to Teach? Your Preseason Training Guide
School's out for summer and my summer bucket list needs filling. Among the list of achievements I hope to check off is my annual summer goal of reading 9 books. My annual #summerreads list is something that I look forward to, and I have shared it via the blog since 2018. I will read some …
“Fundamentally as every teacher knows this job of education is a human one. It is about relationships...When teachers are able to prioritize relationships and focus on the quality of their connections with kids, we see over and over again the teachers feeling more effective and the kids being more engaged, learning more and feeling more …
Continue reading Creating Connections Through Classroom Rituals
About five years ago my health began to decline due to a genetic condition called Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (EDS). It is a fairly unknown condition, even within the medical community. In short, people with EDS have defective collagen (our connective tissue is described as “chewed up bubble gum” instead of a healthy “rubber band”). There …
This summer, I'm inviting teachers to embark on a journey through the pages of some incredible books—all for less than $12 each. While you’ve been inspiring minds and preparing lesson plans, I've curated a list of budget-friendly reads perfect for your summer break. Nearly all of these books have previously selected as a #slowchathealth Book …
Are you feeling as weary as I am? Lately, it seems my words, whether in blog posts or tweets, are increasingly critical and politically charged. And who can blame us? In the midst of an election year, our choices boil down to two problematic, out-of-touch, geriatric white men. It's a disheartening reflection of the state …
In my opinion, students need positive rewards now more than ever! Surely, you can make an argument about intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation…. but that's for another blog post. All I know is that I love my job, but I wouldn't work for free! So, with that said, how can we motivate students to do the …
If you are anything like me, you are always looking for new ideas, strategies, activities, and/or methodologies that foster holistic development in students. Several years ago I was in a professional rut and could not stand the feeling, so I made a conscious decision to step out on a journey to change how I was …
The greatest threat to public health is the way we live, and the systems which influence our choices. People, institutions prioritize convenience and the unfortunate norms of modern life, wrap them in the generous title of ‘efficiency’ and unintentionally degrade the experience – the existence – of those we would like to see succeed. Schools …
The unique skill set educators hold making them capable elected officials. Izzy Gogarty is a full-time Middle School Health Educator in Middlebury, Vermont, and at night, Izzy heads to Town Hall to serve on her seven-person Selectboard. At twenty-three years old, Izzy was elected to her seat following a successful political campaign supported by her …
Whether at home, in healthcare, the classroom, or the workplace the importance of self-advocacy is undeniable. However, even for an adult, self-advocating isn’t always easy. The ability to “speak-up for [ourselves] and the things that are important to [us]” is a necessary life skill. As young people’s trusted adults we can both teach and model …
For nearly fifty years, schools have turned to Candor Health Education (formerly The Robert Crown Center for Health Education) to educate their students on puberty and sex education. For decades, the vast majority of schools have selected 5th grade as the year for puberty education, with many schools waiting until the very end of 5th grade to …
Continue reading Puberty is Starting Earlier – Kids Need the Facts Earlier Too
Though the opioid epidemic has been well publicized, the landscape of this epidemic is ever evolving and changing; and ultimately the prevalence of these harmful drugs persists. So how do we support our young people in developing an awareness and understanding of the dangers of opioids? Increased education. It appears that young people are more …
For adolescents going through puberty, it’s never going to be an easy time. But for those experiencing their period for the first time, it can be even more difficult due to things like lack of education and knowledge on the menstrual cycle, the social stigma that surrounds periods, and the issue of being able to …
Change is an inevitable part of life. Just like the seasons, we go through different phases and transitions that shape who we are and where we are headed. Inspired by Mercedes Sosa's song, "Cambia, Change," I want to explore the significance of change and the transitions that lead to personal growth and new opportunities. Embracing …
One of the first times I observed a PE class, the teacher explained to me that PE can be organized chaos or just chaos! That thought has crossed my mind several times throughout the course of my teaching career. Here are a few things that have helped me engage students in physical activity in a …
Continue reading Tips and Tricks for Classroom Management in PE
When I first started teaching, I remember being shocked and reactive to the outward behavior displayed by students. This could be pointed to several different reasons, but the result was still the same - I expected all students to behave the way I would or the way I assumed someone should behave/react. Little did I …
Do you ever wonder if what you’re doing in the classroom is working? Is it actually having an impact on health behavior? In an attempt to ensure I was making a difference, I did some research into what actually works. That’s when I found out about the Social Norms Approach. When employed, this approach has …
I am on the Meaningful Physical Education (MPE) Framework bandwagon. There are lots of reasons for that, but I only have 500 words so to make it short I want students “Moved to Move”. To me, the best way to do that is through meaningful connection. As more people discuss it with me, quite a …
Continue reading Making Meaningful Physical Education Elementary Friendly
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