This year, Joseph A. Foran High School welcomed a new face in the health department, Ms. Megan Hosking.
Hosking is a very experienced health educator and is dedicated to teaching students about living healthier and better lives both currently and in the future.
Health education, according to her, is required because it helps students make healthier choices in their physical and mental lives.
“Health information is constantly changing, so to teach health content alone would not be doing students any long-term benefit,” she explained.
Hosking explained that her philosophy of health education is based on providing students with the skills and tools to maintain lifelong wellness.
“My focus is skills-based, teaching students the skills surrounding the NHES (National Health Education Standards).” Hosking stated.
She has always been interested in health education. She recalled, “When I took health class in high school, it was considered “content-based” health education. There was a heavy focus on memorizing vocab like different substances and STD/STIs.”
She says she wants to bring a style of teaching to students at Foran to actually learn to make decisions that lead to better overall wellness.
Hosking teaches differently from the other teachers. She prefers an interactive approach to the class instead of the lecture format.
There are lots of discussions, hands-on activities, and real-life examples to help students understand how subjects like nutrition, exercise, and mental health relate to their own lives. ” I focus on life skills for students, especially seniors, that can help them navigate the real world. We cover everything from resume writing, mock interviews, and public speaking to different relationship dynamics and how to maintain healthy relationships in a student’s personal lives. ” Hosking said.
Senior at Foran High school, Luke Hackett states, “Ms Hosking made health class fun. She helped prepare me with life skills for real world scenarios with projects where we had to speak in front of the class.”
Hosking wants her students to leave class not just knowing facts but with the sense that they can use the information in their own lives.
Students have already, for example, been creating their own fitness plans and practicing SMART goals/goal setting. Hsoking exclaimed, “I have noticed a change in each quarter where students feel more confident with the skill and have been able to apply it outside the classroom.”
One of the cool aspects of Hosking’s class is that it also teaches the value of mental health along with physical health.
She creates a safe space where students feel comfortable talking about mental health, an area in which a lot of people find it hard to open up.
Former Health Teacher, and current Athletic director, Jefferey Raucci thinks Hosking is a very good fit for Foran as she brings new fresh ideas to the table. “Ms. Hosking has done a great job transitioning into our school environment. She has worked to get to know the students inside and outside of the classroom which is pivotal at building strong relationships.” Raucci states.
“When teaching health, it’s inevitable for sensitive/controversial topics to come up, especially surrounding mental health, substance use, contraceptives, etc. I begin each quarter with an overview of topics covered and give each student a sticky note where they can share any information they would like me to know privately. ” she said.
Down the road, Hosking has big plans for Foran’s health education program. “My long-term goal for the health program at this school is to take our education out of the classroom,”she said.
A number of units allow Hosking and her class to go outdoors, use the weight room, and use the fitness studio.
Hosking States, “I believe that being able to not only have students apply skills through projects but also through physical activity creates stronger bonds with material.”
She is also working on refining her goal-setting unit, piloting new lessons with Mr. Hair and colleagues at Jonathan Law High School.
With Hosking in control, students can expect a health education that’s not only engaging but deeply impactful for their future.
