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My name is Graham Epple. I am one of the health and wellness teachers at the O'Maley Innovation Middle School. I have been teaching at this school for the last 21 years. My goal for my students is to prepare them for the real world. We talk about real world/ real life situations and I want them to have the "tools" to best handle what life throws at them. Everything in life is "Decision Making based" and we spend all three years cultivating and enhancing those skills. Everything we do each day is based on those skills, hence "Decision Making" is incorporated into every unit of study.
Prior to my experience at O'Maley, I taught third grade in Boston Public Schools and worked construction. I attended Pennsylvania State University and attained a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology, with emphasis on Science in 1997. I then attended University of Massachusetts (Boston) and received a Master's of Education degree in 1999. I recently finished a program in Administration and have received licenses as a middle school and elementary school Assistant Principal and Principal.
My philosophy in education is that the quality of our lives is based upon the choices we make. I believe in health education, we need to focus on giving the students as much information as possible, in order to make quality decisions.
We focus on the self: mentally, physically and socially. A major topic discussed and worked upon, in all three years of your child's middle school experience, is the stress on self esteem. This drives everything. We are influenced by those around us: family, friends, school, media and society, but we live with ourselves. We ultimately make the decisions that drive our lives, both positive and negative. Our classes promote self esteem and it's importance in our lives. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of our curriculum or just to check in on your child. Thank you for taking the time to read this and in entrusting your child to our care.
Erica Mitchell: emitchell2@gloucesterschools.com
My name is Erica Mitchell. I teach Health Education for grades 6-8 at the O’Maley Innovation Middle School. I was born and raised in Gloucester and attended O'Maley myself. I love working in the community in which I live and know many of the families. I graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2012 and have over 12 years of experience teaching and working with children. It’s a privilege working with students and I’m thankful for the opportunities to work and teach everyday.
I believe that health education is a vital foundation for lifelong wellness, empowering individuals and communities to make informed choices that enhance their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. I view my role not only as an instructor but also as a facilitator, advocate, and role model. My goal is to equip individuals with the skills, confidence, and motivation they need to make positive health decisions. This includes promoting critical thinking, self-efficacy, and the ability to navigate an increasingly complex world. Ultimately, my philosophy is grounded in the belief that health education is a powerful tool for social change. By promoting wellness and encouraging personal and collective responsibility, we can build more well rounded individuals and healthier communities.
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