I've been a K-12 Physical Education teacher for 31 years and been certified in Health for 21 years. I've also been certified in Language Arts for 31 years. Over the years I've taught junior high P.E. and Reading, Elementary P.E., 9th Grade English, 9th Grade P.E., Aerobics, and 9th Grade Health. I've been at my current job - high school 9th Grade Health - for 18 years. I have my Master's of Education Degree in Instructional Technology. I also received my National Board Certification in Health in Dec. 2009.
The purpose of each of my health units was inspired by an awesome website called "Above the Influence." (google it and check it out!). I used the "Above the..." themes and have it posted in my room so students can clearly see the purpose of every unit and lesson. My unit themes include BEING: 1. ABOVE THE CROWD (pressure to fit in): Teens develop skills in positive self-esteem by clarifying their values, discovering their personality, improving self-respect, understanding their best learning style, researching career choices, and setting challenging goals. 2. ABOVE THE STRESS (pressure to relieve stress in harmful ways): Teens develop skills in identifying and relieving stress and depression, and seeking help for Clinical Depression and suicide. 3. ABOVE THE INFLUENCE (pressure to use drugs): Teens develop skills in recognizing the dangers of, and refusing: tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. 4. ABOVE THE PRESSURE (pressure to be sexually active): Teens develop skills in understanding the physical and emotional consequences of teen sex, the benefits of healthy and the danger of unhealthy relationships, and develop media literacy in the sexual content in T.V., movie, music, and video industries. 5. ABOVE THE HYPE (pressure to be perfect): Teens develop skills in media literacy in nutrition-body image, ads, models, eating disorders, steroids, and creatine. 6. ABOVE THE CONTROL (pressure to judge, bully, hate, fight): Teens develop skills in standing up against bullying, anger, empathy and violence, and learn to resolve conflicts in positive ways. 7. ABOVE THE CONTROL PART II (Pressure to have unhealthy nutritional habits): Teens develop skills in eating healthy and staying fit, while learning the dangers of eating disorders, overeating, and unhealthy eating. 8. ABOVE THE PRESSURE (pressure to make dangerous decisions): Teens develop skills in staying away from: 1) the choking game 2) driving fast and crazy 3) tanning booths 4) drinking games 5) being goofy in a car or truck (riding on a hood, skateboarding behind) 6) internet dangers 7) stranger danger 8) taking risky bets and dares, 9) sexual predators (grooming), 10) cutting 11) unhygenic Body, piercings and tatoos 12) sexting. 9. ABOVE THE PAST-(overcoming childhood hardships): Teens develop skills in embracing your life story, developing positive self-esteem, finding healing and support (professional if needed), setting goals, and reaching for your dreams. My curriculum was designed to help teens grow in the confidence to say "I will" to the healthy choice, even in the face of extreme pressures and challenges. It was created to help teens build their self-esteem and embrace the realization that they each have the power to engineer just who they want to be.
See my "Experience" section
See my "Experience" section
Check out my own website where I have over 80 health lessons in a variety of topics for FREE and for sale, and also have free tips of the month, awesome survey links, and enriching articles: The Best Health Lessons