Making the Connection Between Health Education and SEL

Health education closely aligns with the social and emotional learning (SEL) concepts embraced by many schools. In this episode, guests Michelle Rawcliffe and Emily Zien discuss the current work of SHAPE America’s National Health Education Council to update the 2019 Health Education/SEL Crosswalk. They explain that the goal of the updated document is to advocate for and support health educators in their efforts to teach social, emotional, and mental health content, while also developing students’ social, emotional, and mental health literacy skills.

Michelle Rawcliffe, michelledrawcliffe@gmail.com, is the Chair of SHAPE America’s National Health Education Council and the curriculum and content manager of CATCH Global Foundation.

Emily Zien, ms.emily.zien@gmail.com, is a member of the SHAPE America Health Education Council. She has taught PE and Health in four countries (Qatar, Singapore, Italy, and USA) and was the 2025 Oregon SHAPE Middle School PE Teacher of the Year. Emily is a former Division I water polo student-athlete and a lifelong mover.

Click here to watch this on the School Health Educators podcast channel.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

What is your WHY?

In this episode, Lori asks the question, “What is your why for teaching and supporting school health education?” She then shares her own answer, highlighting three reasons that inspire her work.

Click here to watch this on the School Health Educators podcast channel.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

Missed These? The Current School Health Educators 2026 Episodes

Before you dive into your next year of teaching health education, why not explore the School Health Educators’ Podcast? In this episode, Lori gives a quick, engaging roundup of every episode released so far this year, making it easy to discover the conversations, strategies, and teaching ideas that can inspire your classroom. Whether you’re looking for fresh lesson ideas or practical tips, you’ll find the perfect episode to press play on.

Remember you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channel here.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

The 2026 HPE Summer Book Club Recommendations with Andy Milne

Returning guest, Andy Milne, shares his summer reading recommendations for HE and PE teachers. The four books are: Ditching Weight Stigma (by Cait O’Connor), The Way of Excellence (by Brad Stulberg), Getting Real About Sex Ed (by Shafia Zaloom), and On Sports (by David MacFarland).

Connect with Andy Milne through any of his social media accounts as well as at his website at www.slowchathealth.com. More information for the HPE Summer Book Club Recommendations is found at https://slowchathealth.com/2026/05/01/summer-book-club-2/

Remember you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channel here.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

Ideas for How to Recharge over the Summer Months with Nicole Sheffer

As the school year comes to an end for many HE teachers, the summer provides us with time to recharge before another school year. In this episode Nicole Sheffer, SHAPE America’s Southern District Teacher of the Year for 2026, shares how she recharges to inspire others. Discussed ideas include professional development, connections with other educators, and supporting teacher morale.

You can connect with Nicole Sheffer by emailing her at:

Nicole.sheffer@jefferson.kyschools.us

Remember you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channel here.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

Chatting with Drew Miller about Ensuring a Comfortable Environment in HE Classes

Want to know how health education teachers create a comfortable classroom environment? Drew Miller, the 2026 SHAPE Eastern Division Health Education Teacher of the Year, shares his advice, along with some of his favorite lessons.

To connect with Drew Miller, reach out on socials (Instagram, TikTok, X) @Millerhealthed

Remember you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channel here.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

FHK Reminders for Puberty Lessons

In this episode, Lori reminds listeners of the typical changes children go through during puberty. She also suggests two standards to guide the development of a skill-based unit that incorporates functional health knowledge about puberty, along with resources to support planning these units and lessons.

Remember, you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channel here.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

How We Need to “Talk More” with guest Lauren Barinaeu

Children and youth need many conversations regarding growing up, including talking about their bodies and how they change. In this episode, Lauren Barinaeu, the person behind Talk More, discusses the importance of these early conversations. She shares specific strategies and resources to get you started.  To contact Lauren, go to her website at: www.talk-more.org

Remember you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube Channel here.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

The Health Education Journey of Sandee Ortiz (SHAPE America’s 2025 HE TOY)

Being a passionate health educator helps us be more impactful teachers. Sandee Ortiz, SHAPE America’s 2025 Health Education Teacher of the Year, shares some of her passion, as well as why she cares so much about young people, in this episode. Sandee also reminds us how to maintain that passion (or how to re-ignite it).

Contact Sandee Ortiz at: sandeeortiz221@gmail.com

You can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channel here.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.

Walking the Talk with Jess Lawrence

In this episode, Lori, the host of the School Health Educators podcast, chats with the inspirational Jess Lawrence to discuss her wellness philosophy of “walking the talk.” The woman behind Cairn Guidance, Jess shares the three focuses of Cairn Guidance as well as how choosing to be purposeful within all aspects of health supports everyone’s success, including one’s personal and professional life.

Contact Jess at: jess@cairnguidance.com

Cairn Guidance website: https://cairnguidance.com/

Remember you can watch this episode on the School Health Educators YouTube channel here.

To be a guest on the School Health Educators’ Podcast or to contact Lori about other things, email her at schoolhealtheducators@gmail.com or check out her websites at: www.schoolhealtheducators.org and www.lorireichel.com.