Healthy Teacher Network
The Healthy Teacher Network is a group of educators from across Chicago learning from experts how to promote healthy eating and physical activity in their school and classroom.
Mission: To assist and empower teachers in their efforts to create healthy school environments.
Goals:
1) Create a network where teachers, service providers, and health experts share ideas and best practices for obesity prevention in schools.
2) Provide tools, resources, and training for teachers to successfully implement activities to promote healthy lifestyles, including CLOCC’s 5-4-3-2-1 Go! message.
3) Support teachers advocating for policies, curricula, and programs to create a healthy school environment.
4) Share research that demonstrates the importance of healthy eating and physical activity as integral to student academic success.
Free professional development workshops are offered in the fall and spring to provide hands-on training opportunities for members. Healthy Teacher Network workshops generally include a resource fair, keynote presentation on a "hot topic," break-out sessions, dinner, and networking. The presentations and content changes at each workshop so attendees never have the same experience twice.
Teachers who participate in Healthy Teacher Network workshops:
- Earn up to 3 professional development credits (1 CPDU per hour of workshop)
- Network with other teachers to share ideas, knowledge and resources
- Meet and connect with healthy eating and physical activity service-providers that offer free or low-cost programs to Chicago schools
- Become role models for other educators looking to address obesity prevention in their school
Results:
- 92% of participants reported that they would return for future Healthy Teacher Network events.
- All workshops received a rating of 4.5/5 or higher, indicating that participants found the workshops
very useful. - Teachers reported learning "how to incorporate small amounts of exercise in a student's day" and found the workshops to be "informative and transferable" to their classrooms.
How to Join
The Healthy Teacher Network is designed to meet the needs of classroom instructors and support staff. All applications will be screened to ensure applicants meet the required criteria. Join in one of the following ways:
- Complete the Healthy Teacher Network Application.
- Register to attend a Healthy Teacher Network Workshop
- Sign up to receive Healthy Teacher Network monthly emails
If you have friends or colleagues who may be interested in joining, please pass along the Healthy Teacher Network informational flyer and the Healthy Teacher Network Application.
How to Get Involved
We are always looking for new ideas, topics and themes for future workshops. If you or your organization has a program or resource that you would like to share with schools, here are a few ways to participate:
- Join the School Systems Working Group, comprised of numerous organizations from across the city, that serve as the planning committee for the Healthy Teacher Network
- Review the proposal guidelines and consider leading a break-out session at a future workshop
- Share materials about your program, services, or grant opportunities at future workshop Resource Fairs
Please note: There is an application process for agencies interested in leading break-out session and participating in the Resource Fair. Applications for the fall workshop will be available in August and spring workshops in January.
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events are scheduled at this time. The next workshop will be held in the fall of 2010. Please check back soon!
Past Events
Healthy Teacher Network Workshop #2
March 23, 2010, 3:45 - 7:00 pm
Humboldt Park Field House, 1400 N. Sacramento Drive, Chicago
The agenda included a keynote presentation by Jean Saunders and Idida Perez on Efforts to Promote Healthy and Local Foods in Schools and four interactive break-out sessions:
- Workshop 1: Creating Safe Routes to School and Promoting Walking and Bicycling at Schools-for grades K-12, presented by the Chicago Department for Transportation, Active Transportation Alliance, and CLOCC.
- Workshop 2: Fresh from the Farm: Promoting Healthy Eating Through Classroom Curriculum, School Gardens, Partnerships, and More,-for greade 3-8, presented by Seven Generations Ahead.
- Workshop 3: I'm a Good Kid Yoga and Wellness Program-for grades K-12, presented by Mindful Practices Yoga.
- Workshop 4: Multicultural Make and Taste: Exploring Cultural Diversity Through Foods From Around the World-for grades K-5, presented by Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program.
- Simple kid-friendly recipes at a low cost, presented by Common Threads.
Healthy Teacher Network Kick-Off Workshop
November 10, 2009, 3:30 – 7:00 pm
Douglas Park Cultural Center, 1400 S. Douglas Boulevard, Chicago
The agenda included a keynote presentation by Dr. Adam Becker and four interactive break-out sessions:
- Workshop 1: Engaging Students as Champions of Health: The Students Taking Charge Program - for grades 6-12, Action for Healthy Kids
- Workshop 2: 5-4-3-2-1 Go! Games and Activities to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity - for grades K-8, CLOCC
- Workshop 3: Healthy Kids Learn Better: Integrating Physical Activity and Nutrition Education into Physical Education and Classroom Lessons – for grades 2 -12, Girls in the Game
- Workshop 4: Got Dirt: Growing Healthy Kids Through Gardens, for grades K-12, Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program
- Simple kid-friendly recipes, presented by Amazing Edibles Catering
