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From the basketball court to the classroom to district leadership, Jill Foley's journey embodies the vibrant, multifaceted world of health education. As MAHPERD'S president and Director of Comprehensive Health and Wellness for Revere Public Schools, Jill brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to truly support student wellbeing.

Jill's candid reflection on her unexpected career path reveals how one conversation with a mentor completely redirected her professional trajectory. After years in strength conditioning, she took a leap of faith into education—a decision that shaped her approach to teaching and leadership. Her decade in the middle school health classroom taught her the power of inclusivity, connection, and skills-based instruction, principles she now implements at the district level.

The podcast dives deep into Jill's innovative peer leadership program, where high school students receive specialized training before teaching middle schoolers about mental health and substance use. This approach transforms both the mentors and the younger students, creating authentic learning experiences that resonate far more deeply than traditional instruction.

When discussing program evaluation, Jill challenges conventional metrics, suggesting that true success in health education extends beyond classroom assessments. She advocates examining broader indicators like student well being surveys, nurse's office visits, and changes in behavior patterns. "Health is more than just the classroom, PE is more than just the classroom," she emphasizes, arguing that physical and health education are essential solutions to many challenges students face.

Her vision for the future includes state-level recognition of health and physical education as core curriculum components, with clear requirements for implementation. By leading with compelling data—like improved academic performance following physical activity—she believes educators can shift priorities and policies to better support the whole child.

Want to connect with other passionate health educators? Jill invites listeners to consider joining the MAHPERD, describing it as a manageable commitment with tremendous professional rewards. 

Resources:

https://www.hpecollective.online/

Contact:

Reach out to jillherwig@gmail.com to continue the conversation about creating more comprehensive, effective health education for all students.

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If you picked up a new idea or felt inspired by today’s episode, I’d love to hear from you and if your interested in being a potential guest on the show; email mahperdpodcast@gmail.com

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Check out our advocacy video about quality health & physical education