On this special podcast version of Unplugged, Stephanie is joined by Dr. Kathleen Ethier, Director, Division of Adolescent and School Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kathleen gives an update on the CDC's work and structure, new resources they have released and more!

Check out these resources:
CDC Adolescent and School Health https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/index.htm

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools: An Action Guide for School and District Leaders: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mental-health-action-guide/index.html

Collection of Evidence-Based Strategies for School Nutrition and Physical Activity: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/evidence_based_strategies.htm

On this episode of the podcast, host John Strong welcomes Dr. Jason Rawls back from Ohio. They discuss how youth culture influenced entertainment and education including the history of hip-hop, how to connect with your students via their interests, how the first few weeks of the school year are important and more!

Dr. Rawls is not only a scholar and an educator, but he is also a practitioner of Hip-Hop. Dr. Rawls contributed production on the album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, which was critically acclaimed as one of the best albums of 1998 and was a major force in the late-1990s underground hip hop explosion. Dr. Rawls has also produced and DJ’ed for artists such as the Beastie Boys, Ghostface of WuTang Clan, Capital Steez (Pro Era), Slum Village, Souls of Mischief, 9th Wonder, and Us3.

In addition to his work in music, Dr. Rawls holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Cincinnati, a master’s degree in education from Ashland University, and an Educational Doctorate in Educational Administration from Ohio University. Dr. Rawls has presented workshops on the music industry, Hip-Hop Education and beat making at several major universities around the country. Drawing on his nearly two decades of K-12 teaching experience, In 2019, Dr. Rawls, along with his co-author, John Robinson, released his first book entitled Youth Culture Power: A #HipHopEd Guide to Building Teacher-Student Relationships and Increasing Student Engagement (Peter Lang Publishers).

Resources:

How Can I Move The Crowd: A Classroom Activity Handbook & Youth Culture Power by John Robinson and Jason D. Rawls: https://www.itsjayare.com/

Hip-Hop Mentality: Creating Something from Nothing | Jason Rawls | TEDxOhioStateUniversity: • Hip-Hop Mentality: Creating Something...

Sean is joined by Sarah and Nadine for a great discussion about the National Health Education Standards revision process. They discuss why the standards are being revised currently, the progress the task force has made over the past two years, what lies ahead & more!

Nadine Marchessault, MEd, NBCT is the Co-Chair of the National Health Education Standards Task Force. She is also a Health Education Specialist at the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. Nadine has 17 years of experience in education (PreK-12), which includes service as a teacher and leader. She specializes in health education and mentoring to improve student learning and teacher practice. She is Experienced in designing curriculum, instruction, and assessments aligned to National Health Education Standards. Nadine has facilitated and collaborated with diverse stakeholders to review, adopt, and implement National Health Education Standards in the Hawai‘i State Department of Education.

Sarah Sparrow Benes (she/her) is currently an Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator of the School Health Education program at Southern Connecticut State University and SHAPE America's President. She transitioned from her role as an Associate Clinical Profession at Merrimack College in fall 2022. She has an Ed.D. in curriculum and teaching, an Ed.M. in human movement, a master’s degree in public health, and a B.S. in athletic training. Sarah started her career at Boston University as an athletic trainer before transitioning to the role of Physical and Health Education Teacher Prep Program Director. Sarah works in schools locally and nationally, and writes and presents on various health education topics.