MEET Mrs. FORTIER...

Teaching Philosophy 

I believe that all students deserve a caring and compassionate educator who is considerate of their diverse needs while providing an appropriate challenge. In my health education classroom, we will move beyond rote memorization of facts to explore and practice the science and art of personal well-being. My goal is to empower each individual with the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to lead a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.

A central goal of my curriculum is to stress the importance of daily physical, mental, and social health. This approach recognizes that health is not just the absence of illness but a dynamic, lifelong process of growth and maintenance. It is essential that our students learn to perform the core skills of health literacy, such as effective communication, critical thinking, and informed decision-making. These are the life skills that individuals need to stay well throughout their adulthood.

Just as physical education builds character, persistence, and teamwork, health education provides cognitive and emotional challenges for all participants. Through student-centered, worthwhile, exciting, and fun experiences, my classroom will foster intellectual curiosity and collaboration. I strive to create an environment where students feel safe to discuss complex topics and learn from each other. The collaborative practices I've used with colleagues in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have proven that we can create truly cherished and meaningful lessons by working together.

My classroom will be a place where students are asked to complete a variety of tasks, from setting and tracking personal health goals to demonstrating an understanding of complex social dynamics through role-playing. By developing these skills and practicing a healthy mindset, students will be better prepared to excel in their future college and career plans, armed with the tools to live a life of resilience and purpose.