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Transitioning from a 4,197 mile bicycle ride across the United States back into work has proven easy and difficult at the same time. I'm still exhausted, but I love what I do so much that I'm considerably motivated for my daily conference calls, check-ins and preparations for upcoming events and meetings. For those of you new to my school health blog, my business name, Cairn comes from the term used for a pile of rocks that lead or guide the way on a hiking trail. Since 2006, my consulting Read ▸ about From Road to Rhode to Cairn

Many of my colleagues around the country know that I'm a little obsessed with assessment in the classroom. It all started in 6th grade. No joke. I didn't realize it started then, but I recently found a journal from my 6th grade school year that had a rating system designed to assess my classmates personalities. It's completely embarrassing (and a bit mean) although if I weren't leaving on this bike trip in a week, I'd have that journal accessible (not in storage) and would share a Read ▸ about Scoring Guide/Rubric for Road to Rhode

So, I'm pretty obsessed with systems change research and effectiveness. How do we go through change and how do organizations navigate change internally? So, many people know I facilitate the Systems Thinking Systems Changing simulation developed by The Network, Inc. Today on my bike ride, I applied the key learnings within the simulation to myself. Yup, I'm a DORK.I was recently fit by a professional bicycle fitter. Michael Sylverster of Bicycle Fitting Services, suggested I try a trailer versus Read ▸ about Where am I in the change process?

A cross country bicycle trip to end childhood obesity! I'm doing it! It's been a 23 year goal of mine to ride my bicycle from the west coast to the east. My life consists right now of moving my apartment, training, working and researching (equipment and gear, tools, route, training, etc).To learn about donating to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, my charity of choice go here.To read more about my trip, route, training and see photos, go here! I hope you consider supporting me along Read ▸ about Road to Rhode!

It's amazing to believe Oregon's Health Education cadre of trainers has sustained over 17 years! I just finished a proposal for ASHA, with the hopes of being accepted so I can share how we've done it. This group of highly dedicated educators from around Oregon gets together a few times a year for their own professional development. Over the years, I have been a trainer on the cadre, the coordinator, the fiscal lead, and helped facilitate the retreats (like this week). This past Monday, we had an Read ▸ about A bicycle is like school health in that…

I am really excited to be a part of Oregon's second annual School Employee Wellness Conference March 24-26th in Bend Oregon. It is sponsored by ODS, OEA Choice Trust, OEA, Oregon Department of Education, COSA, Oregon Public Health, ASCD, OEBB and Oregon School Boards Association.The conference goal is to engage school employees in creating healthier school environments that supports the physical, social, and emotional health and well-being of staff and students. I will be presenting two Read ▸ about Oregon School Employee Wellness Conference

As states patiently (or impatiently!) wait for CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health funding opportunities, they are setting meeting times to write their proposals,  strategically plan, build partnerships and leverage other funding opportunities. I know through many discussions with various states that people are frustrated the funding for school health is supposed to go to Public Health Departments as the lead agency rather than Departments of Education as it has in the past. Read ▸ about FOA

The all-encompassing contract with the Clinton Foundation Health Matters conference has come to an end. It was a huge success- with many viewers online all day at msnbc.com.  We were trending at #2 nationally on Twitter most of the day. Last week was one of the most exhilarating weeks of my career. Being the content lead for the conference, I worked with the speakers over the past couple of months guiding and supporting them for framing speeches, moderating roles and panel presentations. I Read ▸ about Health Matters!!