Summer is almost upon us, and the thought of recharging my personal batteries, spending quality time with friends and family, and catching up on my ever growing collection of books is keeping me going as the end of the semester draws near. In addition to sharing my annual #summerreads blog post, I'm also launching the …
Having just got back from the awesome SHAPE America National Convention, it’s time to reflect on the hours spent in outstanding sessions, reconnecting with educators, experiencing a vibrant city, and soaking in a couple of impactful keynotes. There’s something about Kansas City - the energy, the conversations, the BBQ-fueled networking - that made this one …
As teachers, we’re constantly balancing our time between students, curriculum, assessment, and our own professional growth. One of the ways we nourish both our practice and our perspective is through intentional reading and I'm always on the lookout for books that make me think differently about learning, equity, connection, and the work we do every …
There's a conversation that's been bubbling under for a few years now regarding “analog” coming back as a cultural and lifestyle trend for 2026, and I'm seeing it across social media, in magazines, and even my parents have asked me about it. This isn’t just a meme or niche idea anymore. This goes beyond the …
The start of a new year has a funny reputation. It’s supposed to be a reset button. A fresh start. A new era. A moment where you suddenly become more motivated, more organized, more disciplined, and more confident—just because the calendar changed. But most of us know the truth, and the science backs this up, …
Continue reading One Word for 2026: A Different Way to Start the Year
How good does it feel when someone tells you they loved something you created? Maybe it was a teaching idea you shared online, a presentation you gave, or even a simple resource that helped a fellow teacher. Those small words of appreciation can make your whole week. Now imagine all the creators, writers, and podcasters …
Continue reading Five Minutes That Matter: Support the Creators You Love
It's time for my annual summer reading list, and unlike the the recent AI-generated Chicago Sun-Times list, all of these books actually exist and I have held in my hands! I've had a very full school year and the summer break provides me with a much-needed opportunity to slow down and find time to read. …
Recently, Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver AJ Brown was caught doing something unexpected during a football game: reading a book on the sidelines. The moment went viral, and so did the book he was reading, Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy. The book, which focuses on clearing your mind to perform under pressure, quickly shot to …
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 …
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 …
Now that Summer gets its own branding each year - Barefoot-Boy Summer? Side Chick Summer? - may I suggest that this Summer is coined "Our Summer," a chance for each of us to personalize the next few months. A chance for us to give our bodies exactly what WE need to get the most from …
Although this site is predominantly for health teachers seeking to share ideas and learn from each other, I occasionally feature blog posts on different topics, with book recommendations being one of them. This review of my favorite health text remains popular, I have featured books from people I know personally, my annual #summerreads posts are fun to share, and of …
For the 452nd slowchathealth blog post I turn to a different author. This site has been blessed with the generous contributions of educators and service providers, sharing their words willingly with a global audience. While it is a goal of mine to feature a new blog post each week, there are times when inspiration, and …
Each month #slowchathealth highlights a book of the month. Sometimes this will be chosen by myself but usually it will be based upon the recommendations of my PLN. Each month the blog post is updated so that the most recent book of the month is featured BUT you can find ALL of the books in this Amazon list.
Is this the year in education when things get easier? I have multiple tweets from 2020, 2021, and 2022 stating that these have been the most trying of times in my 25+ years of teaching and if my social media is to be believed, we are seeing a greater number of educators walking away from …
In a year when I've been physically and mentally challenged more than any other in my career, and I'm aware that I said something similar last summer (!), books have been a constant in my self-care armory. Intentionally carving out time for myself has boosted my health and wellness when I needed it most. Music, …
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 …
As a health teacher I have become the neighborhood "go-to" for questions and conversations about difficult parenting and care-giving conversations that need to be had with tweens and teens but still remain awkward. I don't mind embracing that role. After all, I've been teaching health education for so long that I have trouble remembering just …
Continue reading Three New Sexuality Education Books for 2022
Summertime is my time to read, and over the past few years I have shared my #summerreads list of books that I attempt to complete before the return of school. With this past semester proving to be the most challenging in my 24 year career, I desperately need to get lost in some books for …
Following on from the successful book club read of Kelly McGonigal's The Joy of Movement it's time to announce our summer book club selection for 2020. This summers book club read is Permission to Feel, a previous #slowchathealth Book of the Month selection from Marc Brackett, Ph.D. Marc is the Founder and Director of the Yale …
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