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This week I'm in Phoenix alongside 20 other invite-only trainers in the field of health and physical education to participate in the first ever national training of trainers (TOT) lead by a partnership between CDC, Nike, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, AAHPERD and the President's Council on Physical Fitness. The TOT is being facilitated by a longtime colleague of mine, Deb Christopher from Bolder Learning and the Physical Activity Leader (content) training is being facilitated by Aaron Read ▸ about Let’s Move Active Schools!

Within 10 minutes it’s obvious to anyone who meets me that I’m incredibly passionate about the field of school health. I started my career as a middle school teacher in schools that had students living in poverty. As the pressure to raise test scores, increase attendance and time-on-task grew, I began to ask questions. I was expected to raise test scores when Charles’ home didn’t have heat on the night prior? Or Lexi just found out that she’s pregnant? Or Tom didn’t know who’s couch he was going Read ▸ about The Best Field in the World

So, I’ve been fortunate enough to have been a part of the school health ‘glory days’ at the Oregon Department of Education (DOE) when we were funded for Coordinated School Health, HIV Prevention and Asthma Friendly Schools. And, sadly, I was part of the destruction of it by leadership, one key sabotager who has since been ‘let go’. I am grateful for the Oregon Health Authority, our Department of Public Health, Adolescent Health Department that actually has sustained our School Health Read ▸ about School Health in Kentucky… and what I’m familiar with

I rarely watch the news when I’m at home. I don’t have a television, and I don’t watch news online. I read it online or in a newspaper. Receiving news via print is very different than the sensationalized news you’re fed in a 30-minute TV program. It’s incredibly depressing and leaves me feeling horribly sad. I’m currently visiting my parents and they watch the news. So, the other night, we watched the news about Aaron Alexis, the alleged Navy Yard shooter and Rebecca Ann Sedwick, the 12 year Read ▸ about Another Suicide Related to Bullying

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!