Train Your Brain

February 27, 2025 by Scott Todnem

The Reticular Activating System
Have you ever noticed that once you start thinking about something, you start seeing it everywhere? Like when you learn a new word and suddenly hear it in conversations, or when you start looking at a certain kind of car and now it seems to be on every street?

That’s not magic—it’s your Reticular Activating System (RAS) at work.

This tiny yet powerful part of your brain is constantly filtering what you pay attention to. And here’s the best part: You can actually train your RAS to help you focus on what matters most in your life.

Here are some concepts to help…

Habits That Stick

February 07, 2025 by Scott Todnem

Building Habits
Developing habits that last isn’t about willpower or sheer determination; it’s about strategy and intentionality.

We want a simple yet effective framework to create habits that stick—habits that align with our goals, strengthen our personal agency, and lead to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Here are three tips to help…

Personal Agency

November 19, 2024 by Scott Todnem

What does it mean to truly own your life? It might mean stepping into the role of the architect of your own existence. It might mean blending the wisdom of the past with the innovations of today. Or it might mean embracing change—not as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth.

Let’s explore three key principles of personal agency.

Video Clips in Health Ed

July 31, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

Appropriate Use of Video
We are in the business of life lessons, which means as Health teachers we want to draw from many sources to strengthen our instruction. Real life narratives, fictional scenarios, guest speakers, article reviews, hands-on activities, role playing, data analysis... the list goes on. We want to be engaging, and since showing a video in class is often viewed as a thing of the past, we sometimes avoid it to refrain from becoming "that teacher" who presses play and sits back with a cup of coffee.

Movies, TV, and YouTube play a major influence on teen development. As educators, we can fight this, or we can utilize videos in Health Class that extend our instruction and further embed the lasting impressions of learning.

Naturally, it all depends on the video and the effort to reflect afterwards.

Social Bell Ringers

July 17, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

Turn & Talk
Before the period even begins, the classroom comes alive with typical adolescent energy. Students are shuffling into their seats as the door opens and reopens. Hallway activity spills in— there's books and bodies and chatter and laughter, and, yes, even the occasional screaming.

Then the bell rings.

The standard teacher scramble goes into effect. Attendance check, student questions, bathroom needs, and maybe even an office call over the phone or intercom.

What a perfect time for social bell ringers.

Three Simple Things

April 02, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

Building Connections
Much of middle and high school life involves a social component, as well as the mental balance of stress and self-esteem— but that’s why we teach Health Education, right? These are the very life lessons that pique our interest and it’s what we take pride in teaching.

With all this in mind, I offer three simple things to add to your teaching in order to enhance the educational experience. The focus? Improving the social connection and mental well-being in yourself and those around you. Health Educator or not, try these tricks to better connect with students.