SHAPE America TOY Website Questionnaire

Name:

Melanie Lynch, M.Ed. School Name: State College Area High School

School Address: 653 Westerly Parkway State College,

PA 16801

Your email address msl12@scasd.org

Your website https://twitter.com/MelanieLynch52

Questions

Describe one or two of the newest and/or most innovative activities that you do with your students in health education? (i.e. instructional

units, assessment strategies/techniques, development of personal/social skills, parent/family involvement, special events, etc) 1. I started to teach a Nutrition Habit Challenge for my students and the entire state of Pennsylvania. The first year I was just a participant in my community. The next year, I created lesson plans for my students to get involved and my students not only participated in a 28-day health challenge, but one of my students won the grand-prize of a trip for 4 to Disney World. The third year, I took the project on as my PSAHPERD Presidential project. This is how the challenge works:

Choose a nutritional behavior you would like to change The behavior must be significant enough to positively impact your health, but manageable enough that you can be successful for 29 days. Some ideas include:

o No snacking on anything but fruit after dinner o Drink water instead of soda or juice o Prepare healthy snacks for work each day

Register for the Challenge

Register at http://www.psahperd.org/PA-Nutrition-Challenge-2016

Practice your nutritional commitment each day and track your success

We had almost 10,000 students, teachers, parents and community members sign up for this project in the state. Over 4,000 of them were in my own county because we spent so much time promoting it since summer. We will find out who wins the trip for 4 to Disney at our PSAHPERD board meeting on March 5th, 2016. (Please see one example of the media coverage of this challenge at the end of this document.) Also, there was some PSU coverage of this event at

http://commedia.psu.edu/centre-county-report/story/nutrition-challenge I have attached the form sent home to parents to try and include them in our NHC. I offered extra-credit for students if they got their parents to sign up for the challenge. Many parents joined their children in the quest to get healthier. 2. I wanted to create a lesson that would be meaningful and impactful for students to learn about drunk driving. I taught the standard BAC and the DUI laws, but I wanted it to be personal to each student. I had them write their own DUI arrest article for the newspaper. I thought them seeing their name in print would have an impact. I gave them a few parameters to follow and had them write a reflection of what an alternative could have been instead of driving under the influence. The next day, they all came into the room and I had transformed our classroom into a courtroom and even had a 6-foot defendant table set up. I played the role of the judge in my graduate gown and gavel. Students had to go before Judge Lynch and get sentenced for their crimes. One girl was even in tears. They then had to write a reflection of how this was going to impact them in the future and how they would get money to pay all of their fines. We had a wonderful discussion the following day about how scary that was for them and I explained that it would be even scarier if it were all real.

What is your particular expertise in regard to teaching health education – what is the focus of your teaching?

I am extremely comfortable in designing and implementing skills-based health education and assessment. The content area that I feel that I have an expertise in and travel all over the country presenting on is body image and eating disorders. I have earned a Master’s in Chemical Dependency Counseling and have a focus area on eating disorders as an addiction. I also feel like I am creative and teachers appreciate receiving my lesson plans on all topics at conventions.

What is your philosophy for health education – what do you believe in?

I believe that all students can learn to be healthy. It is my job to be their life coach and motivate them to want to make the changes necessary. Just delivering curriculum will not facilitate change. I believe that if you use skills-based, differentiated instruction well and you are a motivating person, it will resonate a lot more on a visceral level. Hence students would then be more inclined to be motivated to change their health habits.

What does being a Health Education Teacher of the Year mean to you?

It means that the last 20 years of developing my craft and sharing my ideas, materials and successes on a local, state and national level were well received. More importantly, it means that more doors would be opened so that I could really share my materials with more colleagues. I am very confident that my lessons are effective and I have the passion and energy to want to share them

with as many people as possible. It also means that I would have a chance to bring a lot of health educators back to SHAPE America by promoting SA at all of my speaking engagements. I currently do this, but I would have a larger audience.

What do you do to help other health education teachers plan and implement exemplary programs?

I have done various things to share my talents with other teachers. Below is a list of just some of the ways that I help other teachers:

I host a student teacher every semester.

I present every semester to college students at Penn State University about becoming an effective teacher.

I taught pedagogy courses at PSU for five years from 2006-2011.

I present a 4-hour lesson plan sharing session at my state convention every year. I present for other states and share my lessons. Some states that I have presented for is Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire. I was just invited to speak in Montana because I was seen at SHAPE America in Seattle and they want me to share my lesson plans with them.

I have presented for the last 2 SHAPE America conventions at St. Louis and Seattle and will be presenting a 4-hour session in Minneapolis.

I have been invited by SHAPE America to share my Nutrition Habit Challenge success on the panel for the 50 Million Strong presentation with Steve Jeffries.

I was an instructor for The Pennsylvania Governor’s Institute for PA for the Health teachers.

I was a Health Education Assessment Project (HEAP) trainer. I trained hundreds of teachers about National Standards and Assessment.

I co-wrote a health textbook called Comprehensive Health. It was released in the fall of 2014.

I was on the SHAPE America Task Force to help write the Best Practices document.

I am on the SHAPE America Health Council. We try to guide Health Education into the 21st century and provide support and guidance to our members.

I was the VP of Health Education for PSAHPERD for 5 years and it was my job to find quality health educators for professional development.

I am the current President of PSAHPERD and I am trying to be the best role model and leader that I can be for my state association and our members.

I write and teach online grad classes for teachers to feel more comfortable with implementing their own lessons.

I do many other smaller activities to always help other educators.

I asked students who had already finished my class to answer these questions. I have all brand new students right now so did not feel it would be as helpful and accurate. All students have given me permission to use their names. Any quotes from students about you as a health education teacher, or

the classes taught by you? Ellen Tiberio Shulz I think you're an energetic and passionate teacher.

As your student, it felt consistently that there was no place you'd rather be than in the classroom with us; there was no job you'd rather be doing. Personally, you helped me to feel like my voice was heard. You listened to me and helped support my interests and passions. You were definitely a safe adult to come to with problems. I was lucky enough to have that support at home, but I know some kids were not as fortunate and you meant a lot to them. I don't know if I like summing things up in one word, because I would describe you as caring, but that doesn't say enough. You treat your students like people who you genuinely want to get to know. You care about us, and it makes us feel better about being in a place like high school, where a lot of people (teachers and students) are apathetic.

Allison Cherry

Wow! To try to sum you up in a single word is impossible. You are humble, inspirational, role model, compassionate, outstanding, brilliant, enthusiastic, and genuine.... I could go on and on and on about you. I guess the best way to sum up all of those characteristics into a single word is simply phenomenal. You are a phenomenal woman and educator. Not only do you show a genuine excitement and passion for what you do, but your constant compassion and love for your students is undeniable. Everyday you come to work ready to change the world and make a difference. No matter how hard life gets, you always find the silver lining. I was incredibly fortunate to have you as a teacher, and your kindness and enthusiasm will follow me everywhere I go.

Jalelah Ahmed

Visionary. Lynch paints dreams with her words and guidance. She understands the dichotomy that exists between getting her points across with finesse and making an impact in a way students are

receptive too. She's hip! She's beautiful. Not just outside, but inside where it matters, most. And she reminds you that you're too. No matter where you come from or what you do. Her enthusiasm propelled me to do great things, at a young age, with confidence and strength, something she knew we needed to be leaders in this world.

Joshua House (I did not correct his spelling errors because I wanted it to be his own words.)

My one word would be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. And I have to say that you taught health education in the most impactive way, kept it to where people were comfortable in the class. Made sure we took it serious but still made it fun.And I have to say that you helped me get through rough times i endevoured throughtout the year. You're a teacher that students can see as a friend first and teacher second. Definitely a perfect choice for National Health Educator of the year. And yes I give you permission to use my name. Hope you're doing well!

Mark Petcak

To describe Mrs. Lynch's teaching style you need only 1 word; genuine. From when you walk in greeted with an honest smile, and a friendly chirp, to seeing a forest of leafy greens in her lunch, to her incredible knowledge about health, and her willingness to meet any student at anytime who needs help. You leave the class feeling better, often hopeful. 'Wellness', this ambiguous and elusive idea, suddenly doesn't seem so far away. The class was original in its execution, and for the first time in my life, health became less about labeling the tibia and more about labeling what it really is to be healthy, and how one can achieve it. I'll always find truth in the course slogan: "Health- the First Wealth!", and remember to constantly strengthen my 4 pillars of health: Mental, physical, social, and moral. Melanie Lynch is a terrific teacher, and the perfect role model of health and wellness.

Mike Jensen

Inspirational Here's a quote for you: Without Lynch to serve as a role model, I would be unhappily working in an office job somewhere. I have had many teachers who showed a dedication and passion for their

subject matter, and I have had many teachers who clearly enjoyed being around their students, but before 11th grade health, I never had a teacher who made it clear to me how important my success was to her. Lynch demanded my best, but she did so by opening up to me as a person, and making me care about her opinion. She was unafraid to be herself, and trusted that by opening up to the students, she would get them to buy into what she was trying to accomplish. This lesson was something that was of enormous importance to me, because I could not think of being a teacher without being myself. I could not be a teacher if I felt like I had to be an actor putting on a performance for my students. Lynch proved to me I didn't have to.

David Van Hoof

In a single word I would describe you as "Invested". You care about the well-being and education of your students. You become a part of their lives, investing time effort and love to help them become the best they can be.

Marge Nollau

It is hard to pick just one word to describe is "vivacious." You are so lively and spirited in front of the classroom and your personality shines through. I loved having you as a teacher because you made the material relatable to us; instead of just speaking at us, you engaged us. I will never forget calculating the amount of money a person would save if they stopped smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for a year. Then we looked through a list of items and saw what we could buy with the saved money. As a 17-year-old, that activity drove home the consequences of smoking more than being lectured about the possibility of getting cancer 20+ years down the line.

Bethy Wells

I believe that the word 'dedicated' describes Ms. Lynch to a tee. She puts her all into her job as a health education teacher each and every day. She gives herself to the cause of bettering the health and well-being of her community, and she also devotes her knowledge and energy into making the lives of each of her students individually as enriched as possible. Her dedication extends far beyond her job--it radiates to every aspect of her life: her hobbies, her relationships, her own wellness, etc. Personally, Ms. Lynch showed me

that I am my own best advocate for my health. In the midst of fighting for my life against an eating disorder, I had to search for the strength within me that Ms. Lynch believed she saw. I used to think that I was worthless and undeserving of proper nourishment to live. But the support of this health teacher and the friends and family around me aided me in my fight. I found a small part of me that wanted to be healthy and that wanted to thrive. I realized that my goal in life--to give to others and help them as much as I could--would only be possible if I first knew how to take care of myself. Now I am four years into recovery from Anorexia. I'm achieving my dream of going to college to work in a pediatric office as a Physician Assistant. Without her help in realizing what I was capable of, I know my journey to recovery would have been even longer and more arduous than it already was. I will always be grateful to her for that.

Jake Schindler I had a hard time trying to pick one word that perfectly describes Lynch. As a woman of many talents, she is also one built of many words. In attempt to find that ‘oh so perfect word’ describing one of the most influential people in my life, ‘exuberant’ came to mind. Why the word ‘exuberant’? Ever since I met Lynch in the Eleventh grade as a transfer student, she was always full of joy. Her classroom was the one you wanted to be in. It gave you life, even on your worst days. Lynch’s excitement about her passion of ‘Health Education’ made learning fun, not only for myself, but my fellow classmates. Even as a young adult, I still like to go back to State High, and watch her teach. She always keeps her passion fresh, and I learn something new every visit. A quote I learned in her class has stuck with me to this day. “Be a ‘hottie’, love your body”. We learned that quote during a lesson on body image. I’ve struggled with how I see myself for some time now. I go back to this quote on my off days, and realize the truth behind that very saying she told us during that morning class of ours. We only have one body, love it immensely.

List three of your “favorite” conference session titles that you have presented, with a

brief description of each.

1. Let’s Have Fun In Health Class

This is my signature presentation that I

constantly update and give at least 10 times

per year.

This session will be filled with exciting

activities for teaching high school and

middle school Health. This will include

PowerPoint, activities, games, assignments

and a whole lot more. Packets will be

provided to the participants. All of the

lessons and activities are based on the

National Standards. Also there will be

literacy strategies, using health curriculum,

will be included in this presentation.

2. Dying to Be Thin Being a high school health teacher,

Melanie has seen the devastating effects

that eating disorders have had on our

students. This presentation will share

information on how the media is

perpetuating eating issues and body

dissatisfaction among our youth. Lesson

ideas and activities will be provided.

3. Finding a Friend in Fear and

Failure: Lessons from a Derby Girl

This session was a keynote address that

was be given to VTAHPERD in

November.

It is a motivational lecture about how fear

and failure actually derail us from being the

best people and teachers that we want to

be. Only when we collaborate with fear and

failure and make it our friend can we reach

our full potential.

Any additional major teaching awards you have received:

Health Teacher of the Year

Society of Health and Physical Educators Eastern District (SHAPE America ED)

2012

Outstanding Professional in Health Education Award Society of Health and Physical Educators Eastern District (SHAPE America ED) 2015

Pennsylvania Health Teacher of the Year Pennsylvania Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (PSAHPERD)

2004

Professional Honor Award

Pennsylvania Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (PSAHPERD)

2012

Dear Parent: I would like to thank you for entrusting me with your child’s wellness development; it is not a role that I take lightly. In order for students to improve their wellness, I must not only teach wellness concepts in the classroom, but I also need to help them make better wellness decisions outside of the classroom. I would like to introduce you to a unique wellness opportunity for your whole family, the Nutrition Habit Challenge. The objective of the Challenge is to educate, motivate and inspire our community to take personal responsibility for improving their health habits. It costs nothing and successful participants are eligible to win great prizes, including a trip for four to Disney World! The hope is that you decide to not only participate, but also become an advocate for the Challenge and encourage your family, friends and community to do the same. Your child will be signing up for the Nutrition Habit Challenge in class and will be on the path to working on a nutrition wellness goal from February 1-29th, 2016. Registration ends January 31, 2016. It is reasonable to conclude that your child will have more success with their wellness goals if the whole family participates. Every member in your family can sign up and each family member that is successful 25 of the 29 days will be eligible to win the trip to Disney World. This is a perfect opportunity to start the New Year off in a healthy way.

Here’s how the Challenge works: Choose a nutritional behavior you would like to change

The behavior must be significant enough to positively impact your health, but manageable enough that you can be successful for 29 days. Some ideas include:

o No snacking on anything but fruit after dinner o Drink water instead of soda or juice

o Prepare healthy snacks for work/school each day

Register for the Challenge

Register at https://www.nutritionhabitchallenge.com/landing/centre-county o When you sign up for the Challenge, select “SCASD LYNCH” from the

Organization for your child to receive extra credit.

Practice your nutritional commitment each day and track your success

Melanie Lynch, Health Education Specialist

Our family would like to support our child’s wellness goal and sign up for the Nutrition Habit Challenge ourselves. I understand that each person who signs up by January 31, 2016 and is successful will be eligible to be entered into the drawing for a trip for four to Disney World! Sign this page so that you can support your child and family’s wellness goals. Once you sign up

for the NHC and return this form, your child will receive extra credit points towards their health grade. Last year’s Winner:

Accomplishing my goal never felt so amazing because I knew that I had earned it. I did the challenge in order to better myself health-wise, and winning the trip for my family and I was just the icing on the cake. Still to this day, I am completing my challenge because it has now become somewhat of a routine. I recommend everyone to do this challenge because of the great health benefits, the satisfaction of knowing that you completed a goal, and the possibility of winning awesome prizes. I feel as though our school and town has become a healthier community because of these challenges that people are taking on. Also, the prizes are great motivational things

to look forward to at the end of the 30 days. And who knows, maybe you could be the next winner of the Disney trip! I’m so thankful and grateful of the opportunity that Ms. Lynch and everyone behind the NHC have provided me. Thank you. -Sahar Memari

I would like to support my child, _________________________________(full name), be successful in the Nutrition Habit Challenge. The following family members have signed up for the challenge to support them:

Parent Signature __________________________________________________ If you have any questions, please contact Melanie Lynch @ msl12@scasd.org