The Teacher’s Philosophy About Teaching Health Education

“Information never hurt anyone, but a lack of information has.”

“We are more alike than we are different.”

“Nothing is more important than your health!”

When children are young, they ask many “why” questions.  So many that we may even become annoyed having to find so many answers!  We want our youngest to learn, so we answer those questions - each and every one of them.  Even the “why?” about the first “why?”

As children grow older, they might continue to ask questions, if they have developed great faith and trust in the adults in their world to get honest, accurate responses.  While others, stop asking questions.  When they stop asking questions, they are left to devise their own answers, listen to their friends or the media, or believe someone with little knowledge.   This creates an opportunity for incorrect information, misconceptions and may result in poor decision making, and therefore unsafe/unhealthy choices.

It is always my goal to stay informed and current in all areas of Health Education, so to provide our students with the most age appropriate, accurate health information.  It is my responsibility to do so ~ one I take very seriously.  I work hard to develop trusting relationships with my students.  Teaching grades 5 through 8 allows me to really get to know the students individually, and for them to know me.  My hope is that they learn they can trust me, trust what we learn, and then trust themselves to make healthy choices.  And, to know where to get information and answers if they need to!

As a parent myself, I know that no one knows my children better than I do.  I also want to be their first teacher!  (on just about everything!)  Yet there is great value in learning in a group.  A class with peers of the same age, going through the same growing pains, provides a comfortable place to explore topics about Health - the human body, growth and development, nutrition, heart health, cancer, drug use and abuse among others.  My students, as my own children have, experienced  different things in life - some wonderful, some challenging and some simply difficult or sad. I know this is true in each of my classrooms, each year as well.  I believe it is important to be sensitive to individual students and family needs - my door is always open. (as is my email, phone etc!)

“Health is lifelong.”

“If you always do what you have always done you will always get what you have always gotten!”

“Laughter is cheap medicine.”

“Some decisions last a lifetime.”

“Respect it or refuse it”

and finally.....

“Life is full of choices.  Choose wisely.”

Healthfully,

Ellen Rodman