Over the past couple of weeks during E-learning at the International School of Düsseldorf I have asked my students to share with me what they are grateful for. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal …
I lean towards being an extrovert, both socially and professionally. I really feel it’s an attribute that helps me connect with my classes. So, it would stand to reason that blogging would come naturally, right, that the words would jump out of my hands onto the keyboard?? Well, in the words of the famous Lee …
Well, students, here we are: our new normal. Health class right now certainly looks different than it would be in our pre-pandemic world. I assure you that you are ready to handle this pandemic and whatever else life decides to throw at you over the next few weeks. Why? Because you’ve been focusing on building …
One summer, not so long ago, I seriously considered a career change. Well, seriously is too strong a word, but I did actively interview outside of public education. No follow through on a job transition, obviously, but it did provide valuable insight. You could call it a moment of clarity, or, more candidly, the perfect …
As today's health class shakes off its dated past it's more important than ever that all students see themselves catered for, and represented in our curriculum. One way to ensure inclusivity is to ensure that we recognize the importance of personal pronouns. For too long our transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary students have been …
How do you feel about that, Ilse? Does that remind you of anything from your past? How would you like to approach this? Those initially awkward yet eventually empowering conversations with your therapist...the ones that help you work through your feelings - respecting and recognising them, then moving through to a slightly new approach - …
As we are amid this current COVID-19 pandemic, the nation is asking people to change their behavior. It sounds simple, but behavior change is difficult. I recently read an article in the American Journal of Health Education by Robert Bensley who talks about this concept. Changing behavior shouldn’t be difficult because we now know the …
If you’re like me, you are always on the lookout for ways to mix up your workout routine. Considering the current #stayhome circumstances, things can get old and boring real quick. Here are 3 different formats for workouts that can be done in your home. These workouts are meant to serve as a template – …
On my return flight from Tampa for the 2019 SHAPE America National Convention in April 2019, I was suddenly awakened from a nap and my first thought was “redefine our community”. This statement etched in my mind as I projected on the upcoming year ahead and the opportunity for transformation for our health and physical …
Continue reading COVID19: A Promising Future for Health Ed and Equity?
Environment is something that I strongly value. I am absolutely focused on creating a physical environment that matches the mood and vibe I want in my house, my bedroom, and maybe most importantly my classroom. I have spent the last 3 years putting together the classroom of my dreams. What started as an active seating …
Humans come in all shapes and sizes and in the interest of keeping our self-esteem high we sometimes accept or embrace our physical state even if it is decidedly unhealthy. How as educators do we address this conflict of accepting who you are physically vs. being mindful of the negative health effects that acceptance can …
Continue reading Does Body Acceptance Promote Health Indifference?
I just came back from a walk and was inspired to sit down and participate in this micro-blog activity. I am going to share a tradition that my father, Thomas L. Brophy, Jr. started in 2004. It was to start writing letters to the important people in his life and tell them what they meant …
Right now we are all navigating a period in our careers that may be a little scary, slightly uncertain and very different. No one is an expert, which is, in my opinion, the variable that has brought our community of health and physical education teachers even closer together. I can not put into words how …
Inspired by this tweet: https://twitter.com/MissMoPE1/status/1245000181013270529 About this time of year, eight years ago I was at my desk at work, with five piles of assignments to mark. I looked at the clock and it read 19:05. I thought it was time to go home and get some dinner. This was a normal occurrence. My job …
It’s 8 am and I’m rolling out of bed, listening to the sound of my sons discussing which colour plate is the best. My husband handles goalie duty, while simultaneously making coffee and eating his breakfast standing up. My entrance on the scene is like a well-orchestrated dance where he rolls out and hands me …
“Where our attention goes, our energy flows.” This statement comes from my favorite yoga teacher. I love it for this blog post because we want our teaching energy to go into the good stuff, but our attention often goes to the not-so-good stuff. If we change our attention, our energy will change, too. So, be …
Inspired Creativity When kids create their own play they aren't just engaging in activity that helps them move and get outside and get some exercise. They are also growing up, maturing and making calculated decisions. By creating games with friends, they are thinking outside the box and getting their innovative juices flowing. Not only are …
If ever there was a time to take a closer look at our students and their ability to differentiate between “real” and “fake” news, this is it. We are in the midst of constant dissemination of information from thousands of sources as we face one of the most unprecedented and unbelievably stressful times in our …
Continue reading Differentiating Between “Real” and “Fake” News in the Media
It goes without saying that health and physical educators (HPE) are accustomed to change and change on the fly. It is inevitable that there will be an assessment, assembly, drill of some sort- that you may or may not have been given notice to ahead of time- at multiple points during the school year. We …
“If he can find his authentic swing” Bagger Vance says to Hardy Greaves in the excellent film “Legend of Bagger Vance”. He’s talking about whether or not the main character, played by Matt Damon can rise up to his former greatness after a great set back. A must watch, but what does that have …
