Keynote Presentation

The Power of One - Dr. Stephen Sroka

This is a high-energy, motivational, multimedia education presentation that is research-driven and reality-based. The Power of One integrates cutting-edge research, humor and inspiring real-life stories to facilitate learning about the whole child and the students’ mental, emotional, social, spiritual and physical health needs and their relationship to academic and life success. The program is filled with, "tips from the trenches" for health educators to help build relationships, partnerships and demonstrate leadership.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Latest & Greatest Updates - Heather Faverino and Kimberly Mangan

This session covers alcohol, marijuana, meth, spice/K2, inhalants and other prescription medication drug use.  Attendees will learn statistics related to drug use, how to recognize children under the influence of such drugs, warning signs and short term & long term effects.

Teaching to a T: New Mexico Style - Dr. Stephen Sroka

Imagine an exciting interactive activity that lets you learn about yourself and the challenges that youth must face such as the risk factors involving alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and the challenges adults and educators must face to be effective such as the four C’s: caring, communicating, collaborating and working with different cultures. This innovative strategy, which is built on cutting edge research, is based on the traditional concept of the vision quest where youth would go out in nature to find their spiritual identity and transform it onto a shield that would provide physical, psychological and spiritual protection. In this activity, a T-shirt becomes a shield. The added beauty of this session is that everyone experiences a free technique that they can take back and use in their schools and communities.

Nutrition/Physical Activity

Latest & Greatest Updates - Derek Irion and Laurie Mueller

Body Basics: Don't Forget Nutrition - Penny Madanick

The workshop will introduce lesson plans that support the basic concepts of nutrition such as:  essential nutrients, metabolism/digestion/absorption, food borne illness/allergens, body types/weight management and BMI calculation.

Let's Get Physical- Kristine Gracie

Having trouble motivating students to increase daily activity?  This session provides strategies that work as well as implementation techniques you can use in your classroom.

Sexuality/HIV

Latest & Greatest Updates - Caroline Enos, Sally Kosnick & Art Salazar

This information session will provide the latest U.S. and N.M. statistics on STDs, HIV and teen pregnancy.  Additional focus will be spent on the top two STDs, Chlamydia and Syphilis, which may be a gateway for HIV; attendees will also learn the myths and facts about HIV through an interactive activity. Presenters will demonstrate a lesson that can be used in the classroom regarding pregnancy prevention.  Knowing where New Mexico stands in the fight against HIV and other STD’s can better prepare educators to develop appropriate and effective prevention messages and activities to New Mexico youth.  

What about the Boys? Teaching about Sexuality Accurately and Effectively with Teen Boys - Michelle Scarpulla

The vast majority of sexuality education curricula and programs are created with the needs of girls in mind. Even if we don't believe it ourselves, the saying “boys will be boys” pervades sexuality education programming. Girls are set up as the sexual gatekeepers and decision-makers.  Boys are either set up to be feared or widely ignored. This training will provide the most up-to-date information available about how boys learn, how co-ed sexuality education programming has failed boys and what educators can do to be sure to reach all students and workshop participants.

HIV – Still Staying Alive - Martin Walker

HIV is still a prevelant issue, yet, many students don't see it as an issue. This session provides you with the opportunity to use metaphors, experimental activities and debriefing as a tool to get your students to absorb information.

Safe Schools

Latest & Greatest Updates - Dan Green & Nancy Kirkpatrick

This session includes an opportunity to learn the most effective usages of QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer).  QPR is designed to help all of us identify and refer suicidal persons to professionals who can assess, manage, and treat the underlying illnesses that promote suicidal behavior.  The ultimate goal of QPR training is to prevent suicide attempts and completions. 

Bullying: We're All in this Together - Jenn Jeverston 

Bullying: it’s no longer a “rite of passage.” It has become a serious issue for kids of all ages today, and there can be severe emotional and physical consequences in addition to poor school performance. One survey found that 80% of kids were bullied at school; this prevalence of bullying has created a climate of fear for many kids. This workshop will discuss bullying today and share key concepts of the Santa Fe Mountain Center’s anti-bullying program, Adventures in a Caring Community. Come learn how to use fun and easy experiential activities that can prevent bullying.

All A-"Twitter": Teens, Sex and Technology - Michelle Scarpulla

Ever feel like you’re not in Kansas anymore when it comes to teens and technology? What the heck is Twitter? The fast-paced world of technology means that adults often find themselves struggling to catch up, let alone understand the significance of networking Web sites like MySpace, Facebook and others frequented by teens. This workshop will help even the most novice educator learn the basics about the online world inhabited by teens, including instant messaging, texting and social networking. Participants will leave with a broader appreciation for the role of technology in teens’ lives today and concrete strategies for ways to teach young people “safe surfing.”