Lesson Planning for Skills-Based Elementary Health Education: Meeting the National Standards

Holly Alperin, EdM, MCHES, is a clinical assistant professor in the department of kinesiology’s health and physical education program at the University of New Hampshire. Throughout her career, Ms. Alperin has worked to improve the health and academic outcomes of young people by leveraging partnerships that strengthen school-level policies and practices, both in the health education classroom and throughout the school. In addition to her teaching of preservice and graduate health and physical education majors, she provides training and technical assistance to preK-12 educators, administrators, and staff and develops and implements trainings to enable state and national stakeholders to improve the health and academic outcomes of children. Ms. Alperin is a sought-after presenter, having been invited to numerous local, state, national, and international events. She is an advocate for ensuring that health educators receive high-quality professional development, and she takes this responsibility to heart. Volunteer roles have included participation on a variety of professional task forces and projects for organizations such as SHAPE America; American School Health Association; Society for Public Health Education; and New Hampshire Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Holly received her bachelor degree in health education and health promotion from Central Michigan University and her master of education in policy, planning, and administration from Boston University. Holly currently lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two daughters. Together they enjoy the best of New England--ocean, mountains, cities, and countless adventures.

Sarah Sparrow Benes, EdD, CHES, is an associate clinical professor in the School of Health Sciences at Merrimack College. Sarah teaches a variety of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in health sciences, does service projects in local communities, and conducts research on health education and physical activity in schools. Dr. Benes was the program director for physical and health education programs at Boston University for six years before coming to Merrimack College. She has numerous publications in refereed journals and has written chapters examining health education; she has also made more than a dozen presentations on skills-based health education and related topics at state and regional conferences. Sarah is currently serving on the board of directors of SHAPE America and is the former vice president of health education for the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Dr. Benes consults with school districts on health and wellness issues, with a focus on skills-based curriculum development and implementation. She is a certified health education specialist, a certified mental health first aid instructor, and a member of SHAPE America. Sarah received a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in education from Boston University, and a doctorate in curriculum and teaching from Boston University; she is currently working on a master of public health degree. She lives in Natick, Massachusetts, with her husband, two daughters, and yellow Labrador retriever. She enjoys spending time with her family on nature walks and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Northeast.