The Podclass

In this episode of The Podclass, host Jamie Anderson dives into an eye-opening conversation with Cassandra Anastásio and Monica Arnold about body image, weight bias, and the pervasive influence of diet culture in educational spaces. Together, they unpack the critical need to foster weight-neutral, inclusive environments within classrooms and schools, aiming to promote students' mental and emotional well-being.

In this episode, we explore the crucial role of hope in enhancing school health and well-being. Host Elizabeth Tingle and guests Chelsea Hobbs, Natalie Kuhn, and Amy Badger discuss how hope can empower students and teachers. They share personal well-being practices like "hope walks" and creative activities and explain how they integrate hope into their classrooms to build resilience. The conversation emphasizes hope's impact on mental health and its practical application in education, highlighting its importance in fostering a positive learning environment and personal growth.

In this episode of The Podclass, we delve into the crucial need to integrate digital wellness into school curricula while nurturing healthy screen habits. Joining us are Cason Machacek and Sydnie Erlendson, Digital Well-being experts from the Lethbridge School Division, alongside Andrea Halwas Larsen, a Counseling Therapist from Juno House in Calgary. Together, they share insightful strategies for fostering digital well-being, including engaging in physical activity, practicing mindfulness, maintaining sleep hygiene, and fostering social connections. Emphasizing collaboration among educators, parents, and students, they address the imperative to bridge the generational gap in comprehending technology's impact on youth.

Show notes:

Juno House: Juno House - Calgary Counselling for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 

Juno House Presents: Navigating Technology with our Youth on the Alberta Health Services Community Education Service: community.hmhc.ca 

Lethbridge School Division Digital Wellness site: Home | Digital Wellness Team (schoolsites.ca)

Common Sense Media Lessons on Digital Balance and Wellbeing: Search Results for Common Sense Education

The Big Disconnect by Catherine Steiner-Adair: The Big Disconnect – HarperCollins

Training available to Alberta teachers https://everfi.com/

In this episode of The Podclass, Health and Wellness Consultants from Ever Active Schools, Tracey Coutts and Shauna Shaker, emphasize the significance of promoting active transportation within school communities. They underscore the importance of establishing safe and accessible routes, engaging parents and the community, and customizing travel plans to suit each school's specific needs. Additionally, Tracey and Shauna explore the advantages of integrating walking field trips and school travel planning into curricula, highlighting the connection between active school travel and cross-curricular learning. Throughout the conversation, collaboration, creativity, and flexibility are highlighted as essential components in successfully implementing active school travel initiatives.

Today on The Podclass, we're switching things up with an episode from our friends at Physical Education and Health Canada (PHE). Their podcast, launched in January, spotlights guests and topics relevant to phys ed and health. We're featuring their latest episode: "All Gender Physical Education and Health" with Equity and Inclusion Consultant, Andrea Barrow from Limestone District School Board, Ontario.

Politics and leadership influence our education conversations and practices, shaping our school spaces. We encourage educators to prioritize relationship building, creating safe spaces, and advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion. We hope you enjoy the episode.

Stay tuned for our next episode next month! #ThePodclass #PhysEd #HealthEducation #EquityAndInclusion

Resources:

Supporting and Protecting LDSB Transgender-Spectrum And/Or Gender Non-Conforming Students https://www.gegi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/LDSB_2020_SupportingprotectingLDSBTransgender-SpectrumAndOrGenderNon-ConformingStudents.pdf 

Flipping the Script on Gendered PHE: https://phecanada.ca/sites/default/files/content/docs/flipping-the-script-pamphlet-en.pdf

2SLGBTQI Sports Inclusion: Playbook to breaking down barriers: https://egale.ca/awareness/sports-inclusion-playbook/ in Canadian Sports Network: https://inclusionincanadiansports.ca/

In this episode of The Podclass, we delve into the pivotal role of school trustees in fostering well-being within educational environments. Kristina Larkin, a trustee with the Lethbridge school division, highlights trustees' responsibilities in Alberta's education system, from advocating for schools and students to ensuring alignment with legislative objectives. We explore challenges and opportunities for collaboration, with a focus on policy development and amplifying marginalized voices.

In this podcast episode, titled "Dance, Embodied Movement, and Anti-Oppressive Practice with Dr. Towani Duchscher," Dr. Duchscher shares her expertise on integrating dance into anti-oppressive practices, discussing self-care, the transformative power of movement, the intersection of education and dance, and the importance of dismantling oppressive structures to foster love, connection, and well-being in schools.

Additional Resources:

Creative Dance for All Ages - Gilbert, Anne Green

The Three Curricula That All Schools Teach - Eisner, Elliot

Jagged Worldviews Colliding - Leroy Little Bear

In this episode of The Podclass, Dr. Kimberley Schonert-Reichl, Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership at UBC's School of Population and Public Health, delves into the fundamental importance of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). She defines its core competencies and emphasizes its pivotal role in establishing a secure and nurturing learning environment. Notably, the episode underscores that SEL isn't merely an additional educational component but an indispensable foundation for academic achievement and overall development.

This episode stands as an invaluable resource, weaving together personal anecdotes and evidence-based approaches. It provides educators with a roadmap to seamlessly incorporate SEL into their classrooms, highlighting the significance of prioritizing emotional well-being within educational settings.

Resources:

Roots of Empathy https://rootsofempathy.org/

Mind Up https://mindup.org/

CASEL https://casel.org/  

SEL 3 Signature Practices Playbook: https://casel.org/casel_sel-3-signature-practices-playbook-v3/

Oberle, E., & Schonert-Reichl, K. A. (2016). Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students. Social Science & Medicine, 159, 30–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.04.031

Writing Can Help Heal Us from Trauma https://hbr.org/2021/07/writing-can-help-us-heal-from-trauma 

Okonofua, J. A., Paunesku, D., & Walton, G. M. (2016). Brief intervention to encourage empathic discipline cuts suspension rates in half among adolescents. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, 113(19), 5221–5226.https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1523698113  

Kindness in the Classroom https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/for-educators

Greater Good in Education https://ggie.berkeley.edu/  

SEL Kernels https://ggie.berkeley.edu/student-well-being/sel-kernels/

We Wellbeing program https://we-org-publisher.netlify.app/en-US/our-work/we-schools/well-being/

In this episode, experts Greg Paterson and Karen Matson explore the intricate landscape of addressing alcohol use in school settings. Greg, drawing from education, psychology, and addiction services, joins forces with Karen, an advocate in mental health promotion and prevention.

Infographic for Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health: https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2023-05/CGAH-Drinking-Less-is-Better-en.pdf

Canadian Centre on Substance Use & Addiction: https://www.ccsa.ca/ 

Mental Health First Aid Course: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca/ 

Mental Health Literacy: https://schools.healthiertogether.ca/en/find-support/training-for-educators/mental-health-literacy/

Take Action Cards related to Mental Health: https://schools.healthiertogether.ca/en/take-action/get-ideas-that-work/?healthTopicId=57190

Jack.Org: https://jack.org/Home

Community Helpers Program: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?id=1073813

In this episode, we dive into the world of education and the importance of helping students find their passions and navigate their paths to success. Our guest, Jason Kupery, the Director of Learning at Palliser School Division shares his journey as an educator and how he's working to create programs that empower students to discover their interests and purpose.

The conversation delves into the challenges students face in today's educational landscape, where the pressure to conform to linear career paths can be overwhelming. Jason highlights the need for educators to expand students' horizons and help them understand that life is not a straight line.

Join us as we explore how educators can play a crucial role in guiding students toward a fulfilling and purpose-driven future.

Resources:

Know Before You Go resource

Enriched Academy

Career Transitions - EPIC (Exploring Possible Industries & Careers) Day