By Josh Bootsma
LANSING, Ill. (May 12, 2022) – In a nationwide contest, Oak Glen teachers and staff have won first place for their efforts toward living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
The TeacherFit program encourages school staff to improve their health through a “mindfulness, fitness, yoga, and nutrition program designed specifically for education professionals,” according to its website.
Oak Glen Principal Mike Earnshaw said the elementary school has taken second place in the program in the last two years. This year, Oak Glen took first place out of 64 schools around the country.
The program is 100 days long and provides resources for teachers to work on their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Earnshaw brought the program to Oak Glen after hearing about it from a friend who teaches in Virginia.
“It is all about taking time for ourselves, to have a break,” Earnshaw said of the program. “Working out is a big part of it, but it has so many more components like yoga, meditation, mindfulness, nutrition, and journaling that are for everyone, especially those that cannot exercise.”
Earnshaw praised the efforts of fifth grade teacher Jennifer Osman who collected data for the TeacherFit program by checking in with staff to monitor their progress.
“[TeacherFit] is about supporting each other to be the best for ourselves. So many staff have built in good habits into their lives through TeacherFit,” Earnshaw said.
The TeacherFit program is expanding to incorporate students as well. More information is available at www.teacherfit.com.
Oak Glen Elementary School is located at 2101 182nd Street in Lansing.