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Growth and evolution is a constant process that involves taking risk and getting out of your comfort zone. This is why I am excited to announce that I am spreading my wings and launching Matchstick Consulting, a small consulting firm based in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to help organizations and communities create the spark they need to ensure people are healthy, connected and thriving. It is (a little) easier to take this risk because I am surrounded by partners and colleagues that share Read ▸ about A Message from Liz: Growth Requires Taking a Risk

By Casey HazlettHello from Seattle, WA! My name is Casey Hazlett and I’m thrilled to be joining the Cairn Guidance team as our new Chief Operating Officer. When I first met Jess in 2008, I was drawn to her positive energy and expertise in school health. I had no idea that over 10 years later I would be lucky enough to work with Jess as part of the Cairn Guidance team. At that time, I was part of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national non-profit working with schools, youth-serving Read ▸ about Thrilled to be joining the Cairn Guidance Team!

Written by Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project partnerAttending professional development that is well organized, on-target and recognizes the needs of the adult learners can bring on exciting new skills and re-energize the participant.  Professional development provided by a school, district, state, regional or national organization can open the door to new ideas, innovations, or the retooling of existing ideas, strategies or teaching methods.  Educators often reach into their Read ▸ about Educator Professional Development Provides Opportunities to Connect with and Teach Today’s Students

We all have resistance to change. It’s scary and unknown and we are creatures of habit, routine and comfort. The habitual brain is actually part of a survival technique. If we had to truly think through every step of everything we do each day as if it were our first time doing it, we wouldn’t get anything done. If you haven’t read The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, I strongly suggest you do. “We need not only skills-based health education, but skills-progression health Read ▸ about When Teachers are Resistant to Change…

Tomorrow, Liz Thorne and I will be headed to our first ESEA Conference in Kansas City. The National ESEA Conference is an annual project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators and the largest conference focused on federal education programs for disadvantaged students. The Conference emphasizes the critical nature of doing what’s right and what’s needed today – to help every child succeed and achieve at high levels.Our workshop proposal, Leveraging Every Students Read ▸ about Leveraging Every Student Succeeds Act $$ to Support the Whole Child

The Kentucky Association for Health, PE, Recreation and Dance (KAHPERD) is looking for educators with a background in school/classroom health education. Any interested applicant can click on this link and apply by February 15. Applications will be reviewed and scored by Board of Directors members and a performance checklist on how they will be scored is within the application. Thank you for your interest in the KAHPERD cadre of teacher trainers!  Please complete all questions on this Read ▸ about KAHPERD Health Education Cadre of Trainers- Call for Applications!

#NoMoreEmptyDesks uses school desks as a way for high school students to create a message about the impact of loss from gun violence, whether in their school or community. The idea was conceived by Robin Cogan, a school nurse in Camden City School District (New Jersey) after receiving the idea in response to one of her tweets. She partnered with an art teacher (Lisa Wallenburg) in her district and a student (Christian) to paint the desks. Desks are being crafted in the art room at Brimm Read ▸ about Using Art to Raise Awareness of Gun Violence

Written by Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner Reading, writing and basic mathematics are fundamental skills that individuals need in today’s world. While these are necessary skills enabling a person to conduct daily living activities and experience success in both their personal and professional lives, these aren’t the only skills needed by youth as they grow into adulthood. Youth need to feel confident and competent.  These feelings may be Read ▸ about It’s More Than Reading, Writing, ‘Rithmatic