Outside of the Health Education classroom, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has been relegated to the realm of “extras” – a separate curriculum, a few isolated lessons squeezed into an already packed schedule. This perception is not only inaccurate but actively hinders its transformative potential. I’m here to say what many fellow health educators might be … Read more
When I was a little girl, my grandpa was scared to teach me how to ride a horse. You see, I’m disabled. I have right hemiparesis—it’s like having the symptoms of a stroke without actually having one. Balance and coordination are a huge challenge for me. But with lots of persuading from my dad—and me … Read more
I can’t imagine what it must be like. To be a teacher in a school in 2025. As I watch the news each day I am beyond puzzled about the decisions, orders and mandates that are unfolding in our government on a regular basis. Never have we had to be so vigilant when it comes … Read more
What inspired you to launch the #microblog event back in 2020 — and did you ever expect it to grow into what it is today? My blog site, slowchathealth.com, which celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary this year, was created for health teachers working with students of all ages. The aim has always been to promote … Read more
Ask a physical education teacher if they “teach gym.” You will often find an abrupt response, clarifying that they teach in the gym but they teach physical education. I mention this to get quickly to my point which is simply that words matter. In particular, vocabulary words matter. They do not matter as a random … Read more
Back in 2017, I created an initiative inspired by my experiences as a teacher in a supportive school with forward-thinking administrators who encouraged my growth by sending me to professional development opportunities across the country. The more I traveled and presented, the more I connected with educators for whom professional development was a rare privilege. … Read more
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. … Read more
This powerful guest post comes from Beatrix Hopkins, a junior student who asked if she could share her Junior Theme writing with me. Beatrix contacted me, saying, “I wrote about the use of deepfake generating technology to create sexually explicit images and videos, and the way that those technologies can be used to perpetuate violence … Read more
