Name one social issue of concern and project how schools, schooling, or you as a teacher might be able to help address this issue.  What good will it do?  What part can you play?

 

Social Issue:  OBESITY

 

Step 1:  Create an Awareness

First of all, schools have a TON of influence.  Teachers and schools need to not only educate students about social issues, but they also need to help students begin to personally address how they each can change these issues in their own lives.  With obesity in particular, schools and teachers need to respond to the problem at hand in a proactive manner versus responding reactively.  Teachers, including myself, need to raise awareness about the rise in childhood obesity to our students and to their parents.       

This can be done by simply getting the statistics out there and talking about the issue.  Bulletins boards, broachers, and flyers are all good ways to create awareness.  Also, any type of teacher can help out with building awareness of all social issues.  I do not necessarily have to teach an entire unit on obesity, but I can bring it up and relate it to various subjects discussed in class.    

 

Step 2:  Educate about Healthy Choices

As educators, our job is to educate.  In order to prevent the continual rise of obesity, part of the action plan is teaching students healthy living choices and the consequences of poor choices.  I am not a health or physical education teacher, but I can still model healthy choices to my students.  I can also discuss good eating habits and fitness.  Our job is not to just help the students who are obese, but to help all students.     

 

Step 3:  Take Action

Finally, the last step is challenging students to do something about this issue.  Simply teaching about obesity is not going to change anything.  I need to help my students understand that they can actually make a difference.  They can eat healthy.  They can exercise.  Again, modeling this type of lifestyle will greatly benefit our students.