Elon Teaching Fellows and the School of Education co-sponsored a program that shared with future teachers advice and activities that foster more balanced and holistic lifestyles.
Education students gathered May 6, 2014 in East Gym to participate in the inaugural “Live Well, Teach Well” wellness event sponsored by the School of Education and the Elon Teaching Fellows.
The event featured seven sessions in which participants learned about the various facets that make up a healthy and mindful lifestyle.
Burt Jenkins, a North Carolina Department of Public Instruction consultant in health/physical education/athletics, kicked off the event by demonstrating the benefits that physical movement and overall health conscientiousness can have on academic performance. He later led a session that taught participants how to incorporate movement into subject matter within the classroom in order to promote healthy living.
On behalf of the Department of Exercise Science and Campus Recreation, Samantha Drury provided a session on personal fitness training that featured a 15-minute total body workout and tips on how to stay physically fit while juggling a busy schedule.
The Department of Health and Human Performance led three sessions on mindfulness, movement in the classroom and nutrition. Faculty members Resa Walch and Lynda Butler-Storsved revealed calming mindfulness practices that aid educators and their students with stress management. Alec French and Bryan Hendrick had participants up and moving with a demonstration on how to stay active throughout the school day.
Faculty member Liz Bailey and Elon student Olivia Orr of the Eat Well Organization discussed healthy eating habits and how to use food as fuel in and out of the classroom.
The Department of Physical Therapy Education was represented by senior Adam Carter, who conducted a session on health and wellness. SPARKS Peer Educators also led a session at event that informed students on the best ways to stay sexually healthy and manage risk.
The night concluded with a light and healthy dinner outside East Gym and served as a time for students to reflect and converse about the helpful tips they had learned.
Participants were given tank tops, water bottles and health-conscious snacks to promote and encourage healthy living in the future.
Organizers from the School of Education and Elon Teaching Fellows expressed gratitude to participating departments and guests for making the event a success.