It seems like every day news of another act of violence or a disaster floods the news making it difficult, if not impossible, for parents to isolate their children from hearing about these events. This constant flow of negative news can have a damaging effect on the emotional wellbeing of a child making them feel anxious, fearful, or depressed.
Many workplaces have employees who are “behind the scenes.” They may not have a public-facing role, but what these employees do is invaluable in helping others do their jobs effectively. They are the “unsung heroes” of the workplace. Similarly, schools have many “behind the scenes” employees who keep things running smoothly and that classroom teachers rely on.
When the bell rings at the end of the school day, classes may be over. But for young students who participate in out-of-school time (OST) programs, learning does not stop. It simply continues in a different setting, often within a local park, recreation, or community center.
Participation in youth sports has many benefits that include improved fitness, health, flexibility, muscle strength, cognitive functioning, mental health, and social-emotional wellbeing. Playing sports at an early age can help maintain optimal body weight, reducing the risk of childhood obesity.
The classroom is a learning laboratory—not just for students but also for teachers. Human beings are complex. Individuals think and learn in diverse ways. There is no “one size fits all” model of learning and teaching. Classroom teachers must constantly adapt their teaching methods to meet students where they are.
For emergency responders new to the profession, the fitness levels they achieve during their training as well as how they manage daily stress can go a long way in determining later job performance. Emergency responders, also known as tactical athletes, include firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and military service members.
Some people think that a routine of running, jogging, power walking, or other forms of aerobic exercise is all that you need to do to achieve and maintain maximum physical fitness and health. There is no question that these activities are an excellent form of exercise. But for most adults, an exercise program offering the greatest level of health benefit is one that consists of a combination of aerobic activity and resistance training.
Every teacher wants to create an optimized learning environment that provides the students in their classroom the best opportunity for success. One way to do this is for teachers to make an investment in themselves—an investment that will equip them with the knowledge and confidence they need to excel as educators.
As knowledge on the importance of exercise and physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle continues to expand, certain issues and trends in the fitness industry are at the forefront.
Enhancing the instructional skills of classroom teachers, increasing content knowledge in mathematics, building a community of peers where educators can find support—these are essential functions carried out by mathematics specialist leaders. Equally important is their role in being an advocate for change—change that will shift instructional approaches in achieving equitable math teaching and learning in schools.