Three Takeaways From The Wisconsin Best Practices Conference

Hello Reader,

I'm writing this from Central Wisconsin Airport as I wait to begin my journey home after presenting at the 2024 Best Practices in Health and Physical Education Conference. I spent three inspiring days with my hosts from the WHPE and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Ian LaCasse put together a top-notch lineup of speakers, and my brain is SPINNING with ideas: different strategies to use in my lessons, resources to share with my principal, and ideas for future presentations.

Here are three quick takeaways I want to share with you:

• ​Allisha Blanchette talked about the concept of "looping" as a communication skill practice. It's something I plan to use in my interpersonal communication unit this year.
• ​Steve Chapin presented a session about his 10th-grade health education students researching, developing, and cooking school lunches for their entire school. And, all meals had to fall under FDA and budget requirements. His focus on building community connections resonated with me.
• ​Ian LaCasse presented on exploring the use of the arts in health education. I left with multiple ideas to add to my advocacy and practicing health behaviors units.

There were so many other takeaways, but these jumped out to me. I saw great presentations from people I've never met and saw people I've known for a long time show how they continue to evolve their craft. I've gone back through my notes and circled different items to come back to when I'm ready.

It can be difficult to attend conferences to learn and connect with others. If you're itching for the interaction, conversation, and learning that occurs when like-minded people get together, please consider joining the free Health and Physical Education Collective. Jordan Manley (the 2023 SHAPE National High School PE Teacher of the Year) and I are creating a space for professional interaction without the noise of social media. We have a lot planned for the future: webinars, short classes, and opportunities for informal, virtual meetings. You can join the free social network by clicking the button below. We're in the process of creating some tutorials about using the network, so keep an eye out for those.

I'm going to host a low-key, virtual social in early August, where anyone can drop in and "talk shop" about health education. I'll share the Zoom link soon. Before the summer is over, expect newsletters with free resources to help you get through September (or August, if you go back that early) with ease. I've also been drafting newsletters about advocacy skill practice, writing advocacy statements, and ways to level up your full-class formative assessments. Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading!

Jeff B.

PS: As a reminder, you have a custom referral link at the bottom of this email. Rewards start at three referrals. I appreciate your support!

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