The month of September is a busy time for many as children head back to school, sports and activities begin to pick up, with the fall season upon us the last of the garden needs to be harvested, all the while daylight hours are decreasing and the dark of the night is arriving earlier. For myself those items mentioned above are just the beginning, additionally being a teacher and going back to work, having the initial start up for all the athletic teams at my school which I need to plan, organize and facilitate for, along with beginning a new chapter in my educational career and starting an MEd, while also volunteering my time after school with various extra curricular events and then trying to find the balance that works for my family and myself.
My intention here is not to complain or create a list of all the responsibilities that I must take care of, but the notion that finding balance and taking into consideration my personal health comes after all the other important aspects of my life have been taken care of. I value and appreciate all of the items that fulfill my day to day, however I question where the importance of personal health and wellness fits.
Who teaches you where to place personal health along the spectrum of everyday living?
How can we plan to ensure that the wellbeing of our existence is given the time it deserves?
Although I am unable to provide the answer to these questions at this time, I do know the importance of engaging in physical activity, establishing personal time, and exercising the mind while working towards balance in life. Hopefully through my personal growth and development I will be able to answer the two questions above for myself but also help others in finding their balance as well.
For the first time in a month I was able to make it out to my slo-pitch team's weekly game. Regardless of whether I chose to complete a school assignment, or answer the long list of emails or devote my time to something else....I was just unable to make it out to play the game I love. The frustration was beginning to mount, not that I noticed at the time but no matter what I was doing instead of playing ball my mind was out on the field for those few hours. Clearly I was missing out on the opportunity to run around, missing the excitement of hitting the ball, missing the sights and sounds of the ball diamond.
Once I was out on the field I began to feel "alive" again. My senses were heightened; I could smell the fresh air and the trees in the forest behind the field; I could see every blade of the wet grass beneath my cleats and differentiate all the granules of dirt on the infield; I could hear the chatter of teammates and the calls of the umpire with such definition; Even my taste buds were reaping the benefits as the wonderful beverage that I had in my red cup tasted so clean, so crisp, so perfect. Back out where I belong and running around like a kid allowed me to enter a state of mind where nothing existed except the game....Randy, I was experiencing that silence you were speaking of, the world was moving around me but my mind was free and clear.
The league I play in is a recreational co-ed league. Our team is made up of friends that I have known and played baseball with since I was a young boy in addition to girlfriends, fiancés, and wives. The social make-up of this team is very different from our competitive baseball team which most of the guys play on during the spring and summer. The social aspect of this team is what really makes it a life-long recreation endeavour that I will be able to participate in for years to come. Socializing, working together, supporting each other is what team sports are all about and this truly establishes the benefits of team sports to a person's social and emotional wellbeing. I look forward to getting back out there, to share another laugh, to hear about their work week, and to engaging the body and mind.
If it wasn't for this course I probably would not be making these meaningful connections or understanding the affect sport has on my personal well-being. Obviously I enjoy playing slo-pitch, however after reflecting on finding balance in my life I have truly realized the importance of this activity. It is no longer just "The Game I Love," but a part of my therapy to keeping the body and mind healthy and happy.
I look forward to uncovering more in the weeks ahead......
Monday, 30 September 2013
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Welcome to Recreation, Sport and Health Education
Who am I?
A life long learner, an educator, a huge supporter of sport and recreation, a loving husband, and an adoring father.
School has been apart of my life since the age of 3 and for over the past 25 years it has been one of my most constant relationships. As with every relationship, particularly those lasting more than a decade, one must sit back to reflect on the peaks, valleys and moments in between. Enjoying my K-12 years is an understatement. I was lucky enough to have amazing teachers and many valuable experiences, while also fortunate enough to develop lasting relationships. These experiences lead to my pursuit of post-secondary education and my enrolment into the Human Kinetics program at UBC, with the goal of becoming a Physical Education teacher. I feel very fortunate to have studied in such a remarkable environment and to have received a tremendous education during my time at UBC. Five years after graduating high school, I was officially a teacher.
My first teaching assignment was in the Home Economics Department, teaching Food Studies to students at an "inner city" school. I am grateful for that job opportunity, it was humbling to be in an environment where the students truly appreciated the education they were provided. The value of that experience will last with me forever and something I reflect upon regularly in my professional life. Working with food was something I never imagined, but created an obsession that carried me through the next 5 years of my career. My appreciation for food, its role in society, and the importance of nutrition and healthy eating is still something that I share with my students no matter what course I teach.
Life outside the Home Economics Department is very different, as the Athletic Director I no longer have access to a fridge, oven, or sink to prepare my meals while at work. My philosophy however is still very much the same, while my efforts to ensure students are pursuing a healthy lifestyle continue. Being involved with athletics at the organizational level has rejuvenated my professional drive and I look forward to working with coaches and student-athletes in their athletic endeavours.
I was fortunate to marry an amazing woman and life companion who also shares my passion of recreation, sport and education. Together we have two unbelievable children who keep us extremely busy as they navigate the world we live in. As a family we value the role of education, health and active living, and whether it be a walk in the rain, a trip to pool, or a visit to the playground we try to embrace the experiences as much as possible.
Why the HEAL Program?
Thank goodness for SFU and the HEAL program.
I have been looking into MEd programs for some time and to my dismay there was nothing out there that truly encompasses the broad spectrum of topics offered within the HEAL program. The opportunity to explore all aspects of health was a driving factor in my decision to enrol in HEAL. Something as holistic as health should be investigated as such and this program will allow me to explore the connections between my experiences as a Home Economics teacher and Athletic Director in a high school environment. The frame work of the course will assist me to acquire more knowledge within my area of strength, but also provide me the freedom to inquire about topics of health that are unfamiliar. The student-centered approach allows the integration of my educational journey into my professional career with the goal of improving my professional practice. I am grateful to have been accepted in this program and look forward to opening a new educational chapter in my life.
My understanding of health and the mind/body relationship?
I thought someone was going to teach me that.....
Health is word that has been defined, discussed, debated and changed over the course of history. It has been updated to include what we now know, what we believe to be, and takes into consideration societal norms in the present. The term health is used to describe someone's overall well-being by assessing their physical, mental, and social state. Human health cannot be evaluated solely on one component of our well-being, but more accurately on their relationship with each other.
The relationship of the mind and body is more intertwined and would require more space than the capacity of this blog to explain. My thoughts on the topic is quite simple though.
A life long learner, an educator, a huge supporter of sport and recreation, a loving husband, and an adoring father.
School has been apart of my life since the age of 3 and for over the past 25 years it has been one of my most constant relationships. As with every relationship, particularly those lasting more than a decade, one must sit back to reflect on the peaks, valleys and moments in between. Enjoying my K-12 years is an understatement. I was lucky enough to have amazing teachers and many valuable experiences, while also fortunate enough to develop lasting relationships. These experiences lead to my pursuit of post-secondary education and my enrolment into the Human Kinetics program at UBC, with the goal of becoming a Physical Education teacher. I feel very fortunate to have studied in such a remarkable environment and to have received a tremendous education during my time at UBC. Five years after graduating high school, I was officially a teacher.
My first teaching assignment was in the Home Economics Department, teaching Food Studies to students at an "inner city" school. I am grateful for that job opportunity, it was humbling to be in an environment where the students truly appreciated the education they were provided. The value of that experience will last with me forever and something I reflect upon regularly in my professional life. Working with food was something I never imagined, but created an obsession that carried me through the next 5 years of my career. My appreciation for food, its role in society, and the importance of nutrition and healthy eating is still something that I share with my students no matter what course I teach.
Life outside the Home Economics Department is very different, as the Athletic Director I no longer have access to a fridge, oven, or sink to prepare my meals while at work. My philosophy however is still very much the same, while my efforts to ensure students are pursuing a healthy lifestyle continue. Being involved with athletics at the organizational level has rejuvenated my professional drive and I look forward to working with coaches and student-athletes in their athletic endeavours.
I was fortunate to marry an amazing woman and life companion who also shares my passion of recreation, sport and education. Together we have two unbelievable children who keep us extremely busy as they navigate the world we live in. As a family we value the role of education, health and active living, and whether it be a walk in the rain, a trip to pool, or a visit to the playground we try to embrace the experiences as much as possible.
Why the HEAL Program?
Thank goodness for SFU and the HEAL program.
I have been looking into MEd programs for some time and to my dismay there was nothing out there that truly encompasses the broad spectrum of topics offered within the HEAL program. The opportunity to explore all aspects of health was a driving factor in my decision to enrol in HEAL. Something as holistic as health should be investigated as such and this program will allow me to explore the connections between my experiences as a Home Economics teacher and Athletic Director in a high school environment. The frame work of the course will assist me to acquire more knowledge within my area of strength, but also provide me the freedom to inquire about topics of health that are unfamiliar. The student-centered approach allows the integration of my educational journey into my professional career with the goal of improving my professional practice. I am grateful to have been accepted in this program and look forward to opening a new educational chapter in my life.
My understanding of health and the mind/body relationship?
I thought someone was going to teach me that.....
Health is word that has been defined, discussed, debated and changed over the course of history. It has been updated to include what we now know, what we believe to be, and takes into consideration societal norms in the present. The term health is used to describe someone's overall well-being by assessing their physical, mental, and social state. Human health cannot be evaluated solely on one component of our well-being, but more accurately on their relationship with each other.
The relationship of the mind and body is more intertwined and would require more space than the capacity of this blog to explain. My thoughts on the topic is quite simple though.
The mind and the body requires
rest in the form of sleep,
activity in the form exercise,
fuel in the form of nutritional food,
and the understanding that each is integral to others ability to function.
Take aways and Give aways?
I would like to gain the tools necessary to become a more prominent leader in health promotion, not only at my school, but on a larger scale within my school district. To acquire greater knowledge of the relationship between our physical, social and mental well-being and its affect on student learning. I am looking forward to the relationships that will develop, the learning that will occur through my peers' experiences and expertise, and the achievement our educational success as a group through the completion of this MEd program. I am also looking to add more 3 letters that I can be placed after my name and the doors that will open because of it.
I am willing to dedicate the time required to thoughtfully complete all assignments that are required in the HEAL program. To be a significant contributor in all class discussions by sharing my experiences, knowledge, and understanding of topics in each course. Regardless of personal and professional situations, I will bring a positive attitude, a desire to learn, and an open mind to classes where I respect the thoughts, opinions and beliefs of others.
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