Professional development doesn’t always have to come from a conference or a new book. Sometimes the best inspiration is already in your pocket—literally. Like many teachers, I’m a collector of great ideas. I hit save on Instagram posts that inspire me. I pin classroom strategies and eye-catching infographics to Pinterest boards I haven’t visited in …
Almost all I think about these days is class culture, and I know I am not alone. For me, this means a culture that builds trust, embraces confusion, encourages attention and sparks curiosity and joy, After 30+ years as a high school English teacher, creating and sustaining this culture is simultaneously more difficult and more …
Art is a powerful tool for cultivating health and well-being. Students can explore complex issues, express emotions, and advocate for positive change by creating, performing, and responding to art. This process fosters critical thinking, health-enhancing behaviors, and effective communication, essential skills that support our health and wellness. Analyzing Influences In a world of constant connectivity, …
Continue reading Fostering Deeper Connection: Art’s Impact on Health Education
As educators of Health, whether you’re a seasoned teacher or just starting out, it’s common to encounter adults in the community who have little understanding of what occurs in a health classroom. For many, their perception of health education is shaped by their own experiences, which may not reflect the Health Skills we teach today. …
Continue reading Why I “Write Home”: Advocating for Health Education
Let’s be honest: You already advocate every day, even if you don’t call it that. Holding firm on physical education minutes? Advocacy. Defending your gym space? Advocacy. Reminding folks that physical education is about the ‘E’ in ‘PE’? Every day, all day? That is advocacy! But here’s the truth: Now, more than ever, is the …
Since 2019, the month of May has been recognized as Sex Ed for All Month, an effort put forward by numerous sexual education organizations that are dedicated towards advocating for sexual health, rights, and increased education. Young people having access to quality sex education has been found to improve social-emotional learning skills and help them …
Continue reading May – The Month that Sex Education is Highlighted and Celebrated!
Have you heard the news? Puberty, that period-of-time when children begin the wild ride into adulthood, is beginning earlier and lasts longer than the puberty you likely experienced. Over the last several decades, studies have challenged the long-standing pubertal benchmark created back in the 1940s by pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Joseph Tanner, who identified the average age …
Continue reading Puberty is Beginning Earlier; Will Your Students be Prepared?
Hey there! As a health teacher at Chestnut Hill Middle School, I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing students and watch them grow, learn, and figure out the many things that make up their health—both social, mental and physical. It’s a fun, but sometimes tricky time in their lives, right? With everything going …
I woke up to what I thought was a normal Tuesday morning in October, only to open my phone to a flurry of texts and DMs. “Watch this vid! Shawn came out last night!”. My heart exploded in my chest. “No f***ing way”, I screamed. My crush. My obsession. The muse for my ‘#ShawnSundays’ IG …
Continue reading What Shawn Mendes Can Teach Us About Sexuality
Teacher Appreciation Week at my school is quite the affair. This year our Student Council decided to make it 'Cruise Ship' themed. On Monday they're providing us with stickers, Tuesday all staff are entered into a prize draw to win breakfast for their department, Wednesday we have snacks provided, Thursday they will be distributing appreciation …
Being intentional with how and where we allocate our focus can be challenging and overwhelming in our hectic, busy lives. It is easy for me to experience cognitive overload … so many books, articles, blogs, workshops; so much to learn and think about! It’s exciting and daunting at the same time, often resulting in an …
One of my favorite traditions/rituals, both with students and colleagues, is sharing what I'm currently reading, watching, and listening to. I think there’s significant value in these exchanges — they build connections, spark conversation, and remind us that we’re always growing, always learning (and always looking for a good new show, book, or album). As …
This year I was offered the opportunity to do something I had always wanted to do: teach a PETE class. My first reaction was “Wow! I am so honored and excited to do this!” Fast track to: “There is no way I can do this! I know nothing about teaching college kids! I will fail …
“I’ve been dreaming about this big idea…” Recently the last few big ideas have become realities. I started to wonder about why. Because when they hit just right, the impact is deeper than surface level. I’ve been writing microblogs for the last couple years about a few subjects that have shaped my career, but none …
For years, I carried the weight of a dream that was never fully realized. Not because I lacked talent, drive, or love for the game, but because I let toxic male coaches take it away from me. I let them chip away at my confidence, make me question my worth, and convince me that their …
In this guest blog post, Matt Hagedorn explores how AI is revolutionizing education, particularly for health and PE teachers. Drawing from his own tech-savvy background, he highlights six must-try AI tools that save time, enhance student engagement, and streamline lesson planning. I still remember the first time I held an iPhone. It wasn’t just another …
Continue reading The AI Assist: Powering Purposeful Teaching
With the SHAPE America National Convention almost upon us, I am launching a social media initiative that offers numerous advantages for both convention attendees and those engaging virtually on social platforms. The Inspiration Recently, on Instagram, I saw a series of posts from Adam Walker in which he asked attendees at his Podfest Expo session to record a short …
Continue reading Name It, Frame It, Claim It at #SHAPEBaltimore
Launched in 2020, over 200 educators and authors have joined in with the last five #microblog events here on slowchathealth.com. All five have been a huge success, lasting a whole month and featuring voices from across the globe. Sharing bite-sized blog posts of approximately 500 words, there have been submissions from experienced bloggers, first-time writers, …
World Sleep Day 2026 falls on Friday, March 13, with the theme "Sleep Well, Live Better." Organized by the World Sleep Society, this annual event raises awareness about the vital role sleep plays in our overall health and well-being. The science is clear—quality sleep strengthens both body and mind, while poor sleep takes a toll …
Continue reading Rest, Recharge, Repeat: 31 Daily Actions for Better Sleep
Baltimore, nicknamed 'Charm City' in the 70s, is a city I've visited many times, and even plays a minor role in my relocation to America. So you can guess that I'm obviously thrilled to return in a few weeks for the 2025 SHAPE America National Convention and Expo. Running from April 1st to 5th, it's …
Continue reading Conference Like A Pro: Essential Tips For #SHAPEBaltimore
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