Schools get education on perks of teacher wellness

Orchard Elementary teacher Whitney Conklin puts a lot of pressure on herself.

There are students to teach, parents to please, papers to grade, rigorous testing standards and expectations to meet -- plus a family of three young children to care for at home.

Stress can be a daily battle.

There has been much focus on student wellness in recent years, with schools adopting policies limiting unhealthy cafeteria options or encouraging physical activity, but where do teachers fall into the mix?

The NEA Health Information Network reports in "Stress 101: A Primer on Stress for School Employees" that "high levels of stress contribute to absenteeism, higher health-care costs, lost productivity, burnout and attrition."

A study by Krisanna Jeffery from the University of Victoria in Canada states stress costs school employers billions of dollars through staff turnover and disability claims.

The Jackson school district is searching for ways to keep employees healthy and active -- in the classroom and out.

"A healthier employee is better for them, and it keeps down insurance costs," said superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson. "We want to be proactive."

Orchard Elementary nurse Joyce McIntosh conducts a kickboxing class Tuesdays and a Pilates class Thursdays after school in the gym for Jackson school employees.

"A lot of people like to do things as a group for motivation, and some people can't afford to join a gym," said McIntosh, who is certified in personal training.

Classes, which cost $3, started this month and have averaged about 10 people. "It's still growing," she said.

Conklin has been to both classes and said it helps relieve stress.

"There's no time to take an hour off [during the school day]. You have to be thinking all the time, attending to [student[']s] needs. This is a good way to unwind," said Orchard Elementary counselor Marcia Clark.

The district will also be offering wellness screenings for teachers in October, testing cholesterol, body fat and blood pressure levels. Last year, speakers were brought in once a month to discuss topics such as making good nutrition choices.

Cape Girardeau Central High School coach Robin Gross said she used to teach athletic classes for district employees about 10 to 12 years ago.

"At one point we had some money in the budget for a wellness program," she said.

She remembers the school offering an incentives-based tracking system where employees could record points based on athletic activity. She said the school had a map telling employees how far it would be to walk a mile in the school, and that a hospital would come in to perform blood work and physical cardio testing.

"We don't have anything organized now," she said. "Now I teach at HealthPoint."

Brenda McCowan, the district's director of finance, said the same wellness tests are offered through annual checkups covered by district insurance and noted that teachers receive a discount at HealthPoint.

"A healthier teacher is a more energetic teacher," she said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123