WHAT IS THE SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION INSTITUTE?

The School Health Education Institute is a two-day training for teachers who are responsible to teach health education topics in conjunction with their primary academic focus. Teachers gain knowledge, skills and receive information and materials to assist with the integration of health topics into their daily curriculum. The Institute focuses on five health education topic areas:

1) nutrition;

2) physical activity;

3) safe schools;

4) alcohol, tobacco and other drug use prevention;

5) sexuality education, including HIV prevention education.

Secondary teachers will select one of the five topic areas in which to increase their knowledge, skills and abilities, whereas elementary teachers will be provided a cross-section of five health topic areas for grades K-2 and 3-5.

Session topics will provide evidence-based health information, lesson plans and materials, opportunities to practice new teaching skills, and will address each of the seven New Mexico Health Education Standards:

Standard 1:	Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.
Standard 2:	Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid health information and health promoting products and services.
Standard 3:	Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks.
Standard 4:	Student will analyze the influence of culture, media, technology, and other factors of health.
Standard 5:	Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.
Standard 6:	Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting and decision-making skills to enhance health.
Standard 7:	Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, peer, and community health.

WHO MAY ATTEND?

ALL New Mexico public schools are invited to attend the Institute. Districts are requested to send a team of seven (7) teachers: five (5) high/mid school teachers (one for each topic area offered) and two (2) elementary teachers. If a district cannot release that many teachers, they may send as many as possible. Districts may assign only ONE team member per topic area (i.e. two teachers from the same district can’t attend ATOD); please note that elementary teachers will be assigned to an elementary-specific track that covers all five topic areas. Teachers are required to commit to attend the FULL Institute.

If you are interested in attending, please contact your district liaison for further information and registration details. CLICK HERE for your district liaison's contact information.

THE BEST NEWS OF ALL

There is NO COST for attendees or districts to participate in the Institute. The following expenses will be covered by the Institute sponsors:

• Cost of lodging for two nights (shared accommodations) for individuals who live more than 45 miles outside of Albuquerque

• Breakfast & lunch both days

• Curriculum materials

• Training fees

• Reimbursement for up to two days for teacher’s substitute.

PARTICIPANTS WILL:

• Apply new teaching strategies and skills to classroom instruction

• Incorporate evidence-based health information into lesson plans

• Integrate health education topic areas into curriculum

• Identify the seven Health Education Standards in the lessons delivered in the classroom.