I recently completed my Master’s degree in Education for Sustainability - an area of education I didn’t even know existed until I found myself in it! I am passionate about better preparing our students to be active citizens who will not shy away from global issues but instead have the skills and attitudes needed to …
I was a 35-year-old, single dad thinking ‘what do I do next’. I had been a Myotherapist for 25 years, a practitioner and educator, became a Level 2 DDPYoga instructor (www.DDPY.com), but I needed more. I love teaching, health, and creating games, so I said to my child, “I am going back to school to …
Continue reading Bringing the Glitz & Glam Back in Physical Education
In part one of this blog post, I discussed the importance of aligning the purpose of the physical education class to helping students form deep connections with their physical activity. Part two will discuss a system (ROAD) that a teacher can use to facilitate this process for students in PE Record The first step in …
Continue reading How to Facilitate Deeper Connections to Physical Activity
Part 1: Aligning to a Social Emotional Lens in Physical Education According to Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, a clearly defined purpose is at the heart of all goal-setting and system-building, and as a teacher the communication of this purpose to students and parents sets a clear expectation for how and what they will learn in …
Continue reading Aligning to a Social Emotional Lens in Physical Education
"What should I teach?" is a fairly easy question to answer - there are things you legally must teach (mandated by the state), things you should teach (informed by community data) and things you like teaching (your favorite lessons). "How should I teach?" is a deeper question, and one that is considered in this weeks …
Walking my school hallways and seeing the familiar faces of students has always been a highlight of my day. Prior to the pandemic, I would 'collect' those smiles, "hellos" and fist bumps in the same way that Sonic the Hedgehog collects rings. A walk from one end of my school to another is a guaranteed …
There's something very powerful about being observed when teaching. It puts you in a vulnerable position that Brené Brown would say opens you up to uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. And yet, stepping out of our comfort zone and loosening control opens us up to growth and reward, and in terms of teaching that can …
As a teacher of 25 years, it took me an embarrassingly long time to realize that relationships with each and every student were crucial. I'd been taught HOW to teach, but I come from the era when teaching was something that we did TO students, not WITH. I come from the era that was taught …
Fads and fashions come and go..and sometimes return again, and I'm not talking about scrunchies. Hackey sacks from the 80's returned again in the 90's and are now popular again at my school. You know what else has made a huge comeback? The simple act of embedding a link into a document, and if you …
I am delighted that this week's blog post comes from a passionate health educator who has spent many years advocating for, and understanding the role of, health education within a wider context. Although written from a New Zealand perspective Rachael Dixon's writing will speak to a global audience of health educators. Tena koutou, tena koutou, …
Continue reading The Curious Case of Senior Secondary Health Education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Comparing lessons learned during the pandemic with lessons learned from running,this outstanding blog post is also available as a podcast. In the month since I was asked to write this article, the world has pretty much been turned upside down. Originally, the premise of this piece was going to be based around 13.1 ways that …
Continue reading 13.1 Ways Quarantine Life is Like Running a Half-Marathon
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 …
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 …
I’m an independent sex educator. I work with kids from kindergarten through college and the adults who take care of them. I meet with at least 100 different groups in any given school year and usually have pretty limited time to create a safe and welcoming learning environment before it’s time to really dig into …
Continue reading Getting #SexuallySmarter One Classroom Word at a Time
At the start of the school year it's important to identify shared classroom rules and expectations and I believe that these should be created with our students, and not before our students arrive on day one. It never ceases to amaze me the number of teachers who proudly display their laminated class rules posters on …
#slowchathealth 