I am trained in the theory of health promotion. Lessons based on theory alone, however, do not always capture a learner's interest. I enjoy creating innovative learning environments that appeal to the audience, thereby instilling not only knowledge but the desire to put learning into practice. Here are some examples:
At Shakti Rising, I teach an early intervention class to equip women with skills to manage stress and decrease tendencies to engage in unhealthy behaviors. Participants set behavior change goals each week. Most weeks I I challenge them to refine their goals, and think smaller. Setting a small, achievable goal every week sets participants up for success.
As an Agricultural Education Program Leader at U.C. Davis’ Children’s Garden, I encouraged children to play with plants. Rather than fight the children's desire to run and wiggle, I harnessed it in educational activities. Harvesting carrots - a delightfully messy endeavour - opened the window to talking about the science of why carrots are orange and why people benefit from eating orange vegetables.
As a Bilingual Tutor at Dingle Elementary School, one of my students was behind in his reading skills. He had no interest in reading. All he wanted to do was tinker with machines. I brought him a copy of the book "The Way Things Work", an illustrated guide to the mechanics of everyday objects. We read about a different machine each time we met and he quickly caught up with his classmates.
As a Lead Mentor with the Town of Danville Youth Services, I needed to motivate a moody and sometimes disinterested group of sixth grade girls to exercise. One of the most successful activities played on these diva-like qualities: karaoke dance party.
Who are you trying to reach? How can I energize your message?