Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

We are in an era in the United States where content area academics is the primary focus in classrooms prek-12th grades. The missing link to success in academic teaching and learning is in teacher/faculty wellness. Frequently this “wellness” component is overlooked in lower socio-economic, diverse, and higher needs communities. This session presents topics, ways to integrate, and examples of communities where wellness for faculty/teachers either is not considered important, or where communities have adopted this important philosophy in the “big picture” of education to include wellness for all stakeholders in our prek-12 grade level schools. We have an interactive session that includes videos, article readings, small group discussions, and poster creations. Participants will read “Nine Reasons School Wellness Programs Are a Smart School Strategy” (S. Aldana, followed by discussion utilizing a Text Protocol (National School Reform Faculty Protocols). We also brainstorm specific realities of barriers that are in place that may prohibit a successful Teacher/Staff focused wellness program: Individual, Social, Built, and Policy Environments. In groups, we use Mind Mapping to answer questions such as Where/How do you see a Teacher/Staff wellness program integrated into your school or district location? The presentation, discussions, and activities also revolve around the themes of Equity and Diversity, bringing to light those communities which may struggle with successful implementation and success of wellness integrated into curricula. Why are these efforts successful in some communities and not in others?