May is Mental HEALTH Awareness month and a great time to reflect on our work as HEALTH educators. When New York State passed legislation mandating the inclusion of mental health in our programs, my first thought was, “No worries, I already do this.” And it’s true. I help kids understand the similarities between the symptoms …
Continue reading Putting HEALTH Into Our Mental Health Lessons
Growing up with TV cop shows like CHiPs, TJ Hooker, and Rescue 9-1-1, I wanted nothing more than to be a police officer. I can remember my fleet of matchbox police cars and putting a fake red light on my bike, always wanting to play cops. However, as focused as I seemed on that career …
I thought it would be way down the road. I have always had the dream of having a sign on my office door that reads “Dr.” in front of my name at a university someday. It was during my undergraduate experience, during those debriefing sessions after peer teachings freshman year, I knew I wanted to …
A few years ago, I was teaching my favorite reproduction activity to a class of middle school students. We walked through a “normal” 28 day menstrual cycle, showed ovulation happening around day 14 or 15, and talked about what might happen if sperm were present in the fallopian tubes at the same time as an …
Last week, two of my high school seniors approached me. The Supreme Court draft opinion that portended the overturn of Roe v. Wade - the landmark ruling which had made abortion a constitutional right in 1973 - had just been leaked, and they wanted to discuss what this meant. I teach comprehensive sex education and …
Continue reading Addressing the Future of Abortion With Students
Yard duty in the courtyard, ahhhhhhh. What a drag. I have a full timetable today, meetings before school and at recess and now yard duty for all of lunch in the courtyard. There is no time to rest, no time to eat, no down time and of all places in the school to do yard …
I do not watch much television. By the time I reach the end of the day and the dishes are done, the dog walked, and laundry folded, my bed is a more favorable option than trying to stay awake for a program. My television habits took an unexpected turn several years ago, when looking for …
One of the most common pieces of advice that is given to parents, guardians, teachers, grandparents, and others alike is to be an “askable adult”. Quite simply: An adult that young people see as approachable, and they feel comfortable asking any question. When kids are young, the “askable adult” role is easy! “Why is the …
I was a weird kid. Not like, put spaghetti on my head during dinner just to get a laugh weird; more like asking my mom random questions that she didn’t see coming weird. Take for example, the time I asked her what semen was. My poor parents. Cornered by a child who wouldn’t stop asking questions. I asked my mom questions about pubic …
Understanding of adolescent decision making has moved beyond simple “age differences in risk perception and reasoning” to include relevant social and emotional factors that directly inform when and how adolescents make decisions about everything from substance use to condom use.[i] Adolescence is defined as the period between which “physiologically normal puberty” initiates and adulthood begins.[ii] Though …
Continue reading Just Because They Can, Doesn’t Mean They Do
The key to having a good day, one where you hit (most) of your goals and are at your best for yourself and others is having an effective morning routine. While I envy those who exercise first thing in the morning, journal in a coffee shop, and make bullet-lists of things to achieve, I think …
At GraphicMedicine.org one of the first things you'll see is the definition: "Graphic Medicine ... explores the interaction between the medium of comics and the discourse of healthcare." The Graphic Medicine exhibit at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) opens with: "Graphic medicine is the use of comics to tell personal stories of illness and …
Continue reading EIEIO – Graphic Medicine in Old McDonald’s Classroom
Six years ago, I was at a new school and I was struggling to make a connection with a student in one of my classes. I was trying multiple different things and I simply couldn’t break through. Then, I saw her with a book, and I knew exactly what I needed to do. Fast forward …
Imagine a classroom full of 8th graders knitting. I realize it’s a tough picture to visualize, but it’s a reality in my classroom. Read on for my story of bringing knitting to my 8th grade health classes with a curricular connection and how you can bring your passions to your health classes! My Story - …
It takes effort, time and money to attend workshops and conferences. Sometimes our lives prevent us from being able to attend for these reasons. I go to stay relevant. Here are my top three reasons you should attend a workshop or conference. To Learn The main reason to attend any professional development is to learn …
Continue reading Top 3 Reasons To Attend Workshops & Conferences
Since the pandemic we have seen an alarming increase in children experiencing anxiety and stress along with a decrease in positive social-emotional response. During the pandemic children were taught virtually with little to no in- person social interactions with children their own age. This has led to a rise in children struggling to self-regulate and …
Continue reading Students in Action: Mental Health Awareness & Practicing Mindfulness
What divides us, becomes us. The case for teaching all during puberty health education. As young people in the US mature in an increasingly non-binary world, rife with other idealogical deepening divides, the question of whether or not to separate genders when teaching puberty is a consideration of whether or not to take a giant …
In the Journal of School Health research article Unusual Suspects: The People Inside and Outside of School Who Matter in Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Efforts by Karen Pittman, MA; Deborah A. Moroney, PhD; Merita Irby, MPP; Jill Young, PhD, the WSCC model is explored regarding collaborative health education. The Whole School, Whole Community, …
Continue reading Enhance Classroom Instruction with Community Sex Education Professionals
At Rototuna Senior High School (RSHS), we aspire to “empower our people to be connected, collaborative, community-minded learners who are inspired to soar”. To this end, we teach modules that are collaborative. This involves two subjects sharing a context, knowledge and skills to help deepen students' understanding of the curriculum. Thomas and McDonagh (2013) believe …
For most of my life, video games have played a major role. From a young age, video games have been a key part of my hobbies, online content consumption, and identity. When I was 6, my dad handed down his SEGA Genesis, a gaming console released 13 years prior, with a copy of Sonic the …
Continue reading Teacher and Stress Reliever: From Sonic to Valorant
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