Joel Higham

Middle School Health and Phyiscal Education Teacher collaborating and connecting students with real world situations

[Joel Higham @JoelHigham]

Day 1 of @VAHPERD anad @AugustaCountyPE is representing in Reston.

[Joel Higham @JoelHigham]

Very big news!!

[VDOE News @VDOE_News]

Elementary and middle school students this spring may take local assessments instead of SOL tests in history, social science, and English writing under waivers and emergency guidance approved today by @VA_Supt, the Board of Education, and @VASecofEdu:
https://t.co/4k8Y1VZBy1

[Joel Higham @JoelHigham]

Sometimes we all need to realize how hard our individual classrooms can be. Yes, I teach HPE and love it. Our content can be demanding when you realize we teach all different abilities in the same class for movement and content.

[Meg Mohl @MrsMohl_HPE]

“Dude, you’re a GYM teacher. How are you so stressed? All you do is play games!” - an uneducated perception with no sense of what my professional life entails. This is a fairly regular conversation, sometimes with other teachers outside HPE. I invite you to swap w/ me for a day!

[Joel Higham @JoelHigham]

@mr_Alsheimer @dbc_inc @EmilyAPaschall @ERobbPrincipal @Asael_Ruvalcaba @NowakRo @DarrinMPeppard @tjvari @Joshua__Stamper @StaffPodcast @thewrightleader @burgessdave I would love a copy as I am striving to improve each and every day. Opportunities exist to make my classroom and world better, I welcome those.

[Joel Higham @JoelHigham]

@Sjudge24 @PVMSRams @MJRodney21 @bethtaughtyou @lekiesha_white Great team!!

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

It's important for admin to never forget what it was like as a teacher, especially the tough/high stress times. This is beneficial in developing relationships with your staff that is so necessary as well as showing support & empathy during these unprecedented high stress times.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

I think teacher evaluations right now should focus on the following questions:
How are you doing?
Are you taking care of yourself?
How is your family?
How can I best support you right now?

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

@Coach_Rudy Children learn self regulation, empathy, relationship building through recess, play, arts etc. and there's extensive research that shows physical activity increases the executive functioning area of the brain that improves self regulation, focus, on task behavior etc.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Children learn to manage emotions, learn empathy, how to build relationships, etc. through play. in fact, Extensive research shows physical activity improves the executive functioning area of the brain which improves self regulation, focus, on task behavior, etc.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Schools had SEL when I was a kid. It was known as daily recess, physical education, art , music, creating plays in class, working on projects instead of worksheets, longer lunches, & even nature walks. This is how we grew academically as well as socially & emotionally.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

It's not just teachers who are giving their all right now, but Supers, Admin, and all Staff are really giving their best to make sure students needs are met. I appreciate what every educator is doing for their team!

[Joel Higham @JoelHigham]

I can say that I’m stressed out, but also glad I have great colleagues to work with to help me.

[San Diego Padres @Padres]

The First Slice.

#TakeTheCake

[swm @sheathescholar]

I need K-12 admin & higher ed to STOP telling us to make time for self-care at the same time as they’re expecting superhuman levels of work and expecting us to expect it of students.

- an anonymous teacher

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Teachers, remember “All In” doesn’t mean going 24/7. If you are not getting adequate rest & recovery then your performance drops. It’s no different than an athlete overtraining. & with the stimulus & decisions you make daily, mental burnout is also as real as physical burnout.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Recess, play, PE, & the Arts are not just important for children to grow emotionally, socially, and academically, but for some students these may be the main or only reason they enjoy coming to school.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Teachers love Admin who:
1) Go above & beyond for their staff 2) Listen
3) Who are present: in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, lunchroom
4) Value Teachers time (planning, meetings, after school)
5) Support and encourage them
6) Empathetic
7) Have their back

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Every teacher should feel valued and supported by their administration everyday.

[Joel Higham @JoelHigham]

Very true, and yet many school systems look at minimizing the amount of time in elementary schools or take the option of Physical Education (Activity) away in the middle and high school years to offer more credit hours for students.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Right now, I think teachers need more TLC than they do PD.