School Health Educators

In this episode, returning guest Michelle Rawcliffe talks with Lori about doing what is best for students in the Health Education classroom. Items discussed include listening to what students need/want, simplifying your teaching while making sure lessons are meaningful (including using the NHES), student-centered, skill-based lessons, and using no or limited technology.

Responsibility.org provides school health educators with evidence-informed resources to help prevent underage drinking. In this episode, Thomas Grane, Director of Educational Programs at Responsibility.org, describes these resources, including the organization’s newest lessons from their Responsible Teens program designed specifically for high school students. These lessons emphasize essential lif...

This episode introduces fellow health educators from the Midwest who are passionate about and deeply committed to school health education. After sharing their backgrounds and areas of passion, guests Stephen Chapin, Matthew Hagedorn, and Ian Lacasse discuss the HPE Hangout podcast and their experiences in the field. Click here to watch this episode on the School Health Educators podcast channel. T...

Health education closely aligns with the social and emotional learning (SEL) concepts embraced by many schools. In this episode, guests Michelle Rawcliffe and Emily Zien discuss the current work of SHAPE America’s National Health Education Council to update the 2019 Health Education/SEL Crosswalk. They explain that the goal of the updated document is to advocate for and support health educators in...

In this episode, Lori asks the question, “What is your why for teaching and supporting school health education?” She then shares her own answer, highlighting three reasons that inspire her work. Click here to watch this on the School Health Educators podcast channel. To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmai...

Before you dive into your next year of teaching health education, why not explore the School Health Educators’ Podcast? In this episode, Lori gives a quick, engaging roundup of every episode released so far this year, making it easy to discover the conversations, strategies, and teaching ideas that can inspire your classroom. Whether you’re looking for fresh lesson ideas or practical t...

Dr. Paula Youmell returns to the podcast to discuss how teachers can reset their nervous system over this or any school break. Her ideas include being in nature, eating real foods including healthy fats, getting sunlight and moonlight, and performing inner conscious connection activity (ex. doing yoga, breathing exercises, knitting, praying). Remember you can watch this episode on the School Healt...

Returning guest, Andy Milne, shares his summer reading recommendations for HE and PE teachers. The four books are: Ditching Weight Stigma (by Cait O’Connor), The Way of Excellence (by Brad Stulberg), Getting Real About Sex Ed (by Shafia Zaloom), and On Sports (by David MacFarland). Connect with Andy Milne through any of his social media accounts as well as at his website at www.slowchathealth.com...

As the school year comes to an end for many HE teachers, the summer provides us with time to recharge before another school year. In this episode Nicole Sheffer, SHAPE America’s Southern District Teacher of the Year for 2026, shares how she recharges to inspire others. Discussed ideas include professional development, connections with other educators, and supporting teacher morale. You can connect...

Want to know how health education teachers create a comfortable classroom environment? Drew Miller, the 2026 SHAPE Eastern Division Health Education Teacher of the Year, shares his advice, along with some of his favorite lessons. To connect with Drew Miller, reach out on socials (Instagram, TikTok, X) @Millerhealthed Remember you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channe...

Spring has arrived, and many health educators are getting ready to teach human sexuality lessons. In this episode, guest Dr. Sue Milstein offers helpful reminders to stay current on the topic. She also discusses how human sexuality education has evolved and shares resources to support best practices. Contact Dr. Sue at/through: email   MilsteinHC@gmail.com  L Linkedin   https://www.linkedin.com/in...

In this episode, Lori reminds listeners of the typical changes children go through during puberty. She also suggests two standards to guide the development of a skill-based unit that incorporates functional health knowledge about puberty, along with resources to support planning these units and lessons. Remember, you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channel here. To be...

Children and youth need many conversations regarding growing up, including talking about their bodies and how they change. In this episode, Lauren Barinaeu, the person behind Talk More, discusses the importance of these early conversations. She shares specific strategies and resources to get you started.  To contact Lauren, go to her website at:  www.talk-more.org Remember you can watch this episo...

Thinking of attending a national conference or summit in the future? Listen to this episode to hear about Lori’s positive experience at the National Academy Health and Physical Literacy Summit this month, March 2026. From attending keynote and health/physical literacy presentations to professionally connecting with colleagues at breakfast and dinner, she shares an overview of how things went. Lori...

Being a passionate health educator helps us be more impactful teachers. Sandee Ortiz, SHAPE America’s 2025 Health Education Teacher of the Year, shares some of her passion, as well as why she cares so much about young people, in this episode. Sandee also reminds us how to maintain that passion (or how to re-ignite it). Contact Sandee Ortiz at: sandeeortiz221@gmail.com You can watch this episode on...

Resiliency is a skill set that helps students of all ages with adaptability, creative problem-solving, and positive interpersonal relationships. In this episode, Dr. Donna Volpitta describes the Resilient Mindset Model™, an applied neuroscience framework that helps you build resilience in yourself and those around you. Contact Dr. Donna Volpitta at: donna@pathwaystoempower.com Pathways to Empower ...

In this episode, Lori, the host of the School Health Educators podcast, chats with the inspirational Jess Lawrence to discuss her wellness philosophy of “walking the talk.” The woman behind Cairn Guidance, Jess shares the three focuses of Cairn Guidance as well as how choosing to be purposeful within all aspects of health supports everyone’s success, including one’s personal and professional life....

In this episode, Lori, the host of the School Health Educators’ podcast, shares a simple matching activity she created to help students distinguish the difference between emotional health and mental health. This activity was developed because these aspects/dimensions of wellness are connected yet represent different concepts. Click here for the Emotional Health vs Mental Health Matching Sheet Plea...

The Vagus Nerve has gotten more attention over the past years, including how to tone it to improve one’s overall health and wellness. As explained by Dr. Paula Youmell, this episode’s guest, this parasympathetic nerve supports us to relax, recover, and self-heal. We need to, and can,  teach young people habits to help this nerve be healthy. Email Dr. Paula Youmell at pyoumell@gmail.com and c...

In this last episode for 2026, Lori shares her favorite worksheet for beginning the new year. The Wellness Planning Worksheet aligns with SMEEPS OF, her acronym for referring to the aspects/dimensions of wellness. Consider using it for your own wellness or in the classroom setting. Happy New Year! Click here for a copy of the Wellness Planning Worksheet . The Who is Healthiest Worksheet and SMEEPS...

Feeling like you need some ideas for feeling positive and/or motivated this December? Consider checking out the four (4) SEL “tools” shared in this episode, in which Lori, the host of the School Health Educators’ Podcast, describes: Tactile Tools for Social Emotional Learning: Activities to Help Children Self-Regulate with SEL, PreK-5 (2025) by L. Reichel. (Routledge Publishing). CASEL (Collaborat...

Happy Thanksgiving! In this week’s School Health Educators podcast episode, Lori conveys her appreciation to all Health Education Professionals involved with PreK-12 students. She also highlights three health apps she values highly: the Healthy Minds Innovations app, the Yoga-Go app, and the 10K Runner- Couch to 10K Run app.

Many Health Education conferences exist, yet how can you attend when funding is limited? This episode provides basic tips for future and current health education professionals on attending a conference. Lori, the host of the School Health Educators podcast, also shares the “secret tip” for attending conferences. Remember, you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube Channel he...

This episode is a discussion of the National Health Education Standards: Model Guidance for Curriculum and Instruction , 3 rd Edition ( NHES-3 ) from the National Consensus for School Health Education (NCSHE) (2022). Key points include the background for the 3 rd edition of the NHES, what standards emphasize, and the many free materials available on the SchoolHealthEducation.org site. Click here f...

October marks Health Literacy Month. In the newest episode of the School Health Educators podcast, Lori offers a definition of health literacy and provides three real-world examples. These include understanding health information for a powder product, utilizing an overdose reversal kit, and employing a tool for self-regulation. Remember, you can listen/watch this episode on the School Health Educa...