Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/2864
Don’t neglect your health while caring for others In a previous life, Joanne Howard was a fit- ness fanatic. She worked as a personal trainer. She went to aerobics and yoga classes, and even served as a program director in a health club. Seven years ago she became a teacher at Riverside Adult School. For a while she main- tained her fitness regime. But gradually, with the overwhelming demands of the job, she let things slide. “When I started teaching, I immediately noticed that teachers seemed to be more out of shape,” says Howard, a member of the River- side City Teachers Association (RCTA). “Never did I believe that I would become unfit.” But it happened gradually, she explains, without her even realizing it. There were union meetings with snacks galore; doughnuts in the lunchroom; potlucks and fundraisers offering lots of fattening goodies. On birthdays, she re- calls, there would often be a “buffet” of junk food at school. Howard spent so much time grading papers and preparing lesson plans that it was difficult to find time to exercise. And, of course, there was stress — constant stress — that came with the job. Sometimes, says Howard, the pressure would lead to “stress eating” when she wasn’t even hungry. And stress kept her awake at night, robbing her of sleep. Does this sound familiar to you? If so, you’re not alone. It’s common for school em- ployees to overlook their own health in the process of caring for others. But exercising regularly, eating nutritious meals and getting enough sleep are critical not only to prevent serious illness, but to meet the needs of your students in the classroom. Right: Riverside Adult School teachers, classified staff and administrators begin their Million Step Challenge. Top: Pedometers record the number of steps taken by an individual. february 2009 | www.cta.org 15 When it comes to better health, however, it can be tempting for school employees to take the “do as I say, not as I do” approach and put off healthy changes until next year. Preventative approach Many school districts and local associa- tions offer wellness programs that in- clude classes, health fairs, diagnos- tic tests and screenings. But school employees may be hesi- tant to take advantage of such programs, even if they are inex- pensive or free. “Our local association has been talking about wellness pro- grams with some of our vendors, but concerns have come up about privacy,” says Maggie Ellis, past president of the Elk Grove Education Association. “Employees are also concerned that they may be evaluated by the district office based on whether they participate in a wellness program or not. The rumor mill has taken on a life of its own.” Such fears are groundless, says Ted Bynum, a CTA chapter services consultant, because privacy laws enacted years ago make medical records confidential and prohibit disclosing anyone’s personal information. When school staff participate in such services, health care providers obtain the information they need to offer programs that are most beneficial. For example, if many school employees in one district have high cholesterol, a health vendor might offer exer- cise classes or gym member- ship. Other schools or districts might benefit more from stop- smoking, stress management or yoga classes. “People should not be afraid of participating in wellness pro- grams,” says Bynum. “What people should be afraid of most of all is not assessing their health. That’s the biggest danger of all.” Better health, one step at a time For Joanne Howard, enough was enough. She decided to start exercising again, eating healthier and making better choices. “I am excited to make a healthy change in my life, promote fitness and become a role