WHPE Update June 2023

"Good to Grow"

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Good to Grow:

Greetings WHPE,

As we approach summer break, I want to emphasize the significance of both rest and recovery for both your well-being and personal growth. While you have dedicated your time and energy to empowering your students throughout the year, now is the perfect opportunity to focus on your own well-being. Here are some essential tips on how to rest and recover over the summer months:

Relax and Recharge:

Take this time to indulge in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it's reading a book, spending time in nature, practicing mindfulness, or pursuing a hobby, find activities that help you unwind and rejuvenate. Embrace the opportunity to disconnect from work-related stress and allow yourself to recharge both physically and mentally. Practice an attitude of gratitude. What are you thankful for today?

Engage in Physical Activities:

Physical activity is not only beneficial for your students but also for you. Engaging in regular exercise during the summer can boost your energy levels, enhance your mood, and improve your overall well-being. I am not sure my golf game helps my mental health however I sure enjoy getting out on the course. Consider trying out new activities or sports that you've been curious about.

Reflect and Evaluate:

Use this time away from the classroom to reflect on the past year's successes and challenges. Assess what worked well in your teaching practices and identify areas where you can grow and improve. Self-reflection is a valuable tool for professional development and will help you set goals for the upcoming academic year. What is something new you could add? Here is an example of a list of 129 world games put together by Sarah G-H out of Saint Louis. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16Qa52ep1SuKz2j0Ofssmx2s-s9xcfpHcMfm_9xP7Ks4/htmlview

Connect with Colleagues:

Summer break provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow educators, exchange ideas, and share experiences. Attend conferences, workshops, or networking events to learn from your peers and gain fresh perspectives. Wisconsin’s Best Practices is back July 20th and 21st. Consider attending! Stillwater, MN also offers another great opportunity for in person summer professional development. Collaborating with colleagues can inspire you and provide valuable insights to enhance your teaching methods.

Enhance Professional Knowledge:

Consider engaging in professional development opportunities over the summer. Attend webinars, online courses, or workshops related to physical education and health education, dance, or adapted physical education. Stay updated with the latest research, advancements, and teaching methodologies in your field. Expanding your knowledge base will ultimately benefit both you and your students. One of my best professional developments was having a cup of coffee with someone who I respected in the health field.

Set Boundaries and Unplug:

In today's hyper-connected world, it's crucial to establish boundaries and allow yourself true downtime. Set specific hours for work-related tasks, and during your time off, unplug from emails and notifications. Embrace the opportunity to fully detach from the demands of the academic year and focus on recharging your batteries. Those of us who live in Northern WI just can’t go "up north" to relax, so we have a saying that I think works for many. It is “Find your up north” That is my task for you, so that you can go to your happy place physically and mentally whenever you need to.

Remember, prioritizing your own well-being is not selfish—it is essential. By taking care of yourself, you can bring your best self to the classroom and continue making a positive impact on your students' lives.

Wishing you a summer filled with rest, rejuvenation, and personal growth!

Warm regards,

Mary Wentland

WHPE President

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Look who is in the news........

WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) -- With the end of the school year in sight, one area teacher teamed up with her students to remind them mental health is important all year round.

For most kids, summer is a carefree time of year. One they look forward to all school year long.

But when it comes to mental health, it's also a time of year that can cause many kids to feel vulnerable and alone.

"Some students have a good support system during the summer." Explains Patty Zemke, a health teacher at Horace Mann and John Muir.

"But there are a lot of other students who might be isolated because they don't live in town. They don't have transportation to be with their friends or do fun activities.

"With that in mind, Zemke teamed up with her students for a little competition, with a big purpose.

The competition resulted in a billboard, promoting mental health and the 9-8-8 helpline.

"Students were afraid to call 9-1-1 or didn't know when they should call 9-1-1 or what it would be like to call 9-8-8. It's a recording and you have to wait on the line for someone to answer so that's more of a place to call if you just want to talk about something." Says Zemke.

The winning design was made by Everly Jirgl, a sixth grader at Horace Mann Middle School.

Jirgl shared why the billboard means so much to her; "Some people can get help, but some people can't. Driving by the billboard is a great way to help them and make their day better. It's important to me because I don't want to see people suffering."

Along with the billboard, which will be up for at least 30 days, schools in the district are handing out three different designs of stickers to students in their final report cards in hopes of reminding them there are people to talk to, and help available, even during summer months.

Zemke says she would love to see a lot of cars driving around with Everly's stickers on them.

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Raising funds

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with a

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Purpose

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WHPE

Congratulations to Gail Hoffman for having been selected as one of three outstanding undergraduate teachers to receive the 2023 Alliant Energy James R. Underkofler Excellence in Teaching

Award. These $5,000 awards, funded by an endowment from the Alliant Energy Foundation, are intended to recognize and reward extraordinary teachers at UW System universities within Alliant

Energy’s service area.