System of Wellness Instruction for Teachers and Teens

Building the capacity of health and physical education teachers to promote lifetime wellness education in Milwaukee schools

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Full Project Name:System of Wellness Instruction for Teachers and Teens (SWIFTT)Primary Community Organization:Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee Board of School DirectorsPrimary Academic Partner:Leslie Ruffalo, PhD, MS, Family and Community MedicineAward Amount:$400,000

Award Date

July2020

Project Duration:60 months

Project Summary:

Health, physical education, and wellness staff in schools are the frontline health workforce supporting the development of healthy minds and overall wellness of high school students. Historically, these staff members have focused on physical activity. However, with the growing understanding of wellness and the impact of trauma on youth, staff have been challenged to expand the scope of their instruction and support.

Through this award, project partners will develop the System of Wellness Instruction for Teachers and Teens (SWIFTT) platform aimed at shifting health, physical education, and wellness education from a sports-based paradigm to one that promotes lifetime wellness in a relevant and engaging way.

Additional community partners: Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, SHAPE America Inc., Marquette University

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Launched research elements of the project, including conducting interviews with teachers on their experiences and perceptions of what is needed for the SWIFTT platform, resulting in themes for resources to emphasize health techniques for both students and teachers, the need for social support for teachers, and resource strategies
Launched the SWIFTT platform at Milwaukee Public Schools with wellness resources for teachers, parents, and students and continued to see engagement with the platform grow throughout the project period
Implemented a SWIFTT learning community to support teachers in their understanding of their own mental health and wellness while also obtaining support to grow their teaching practices
Built the SWIFTT platform into MPS’s Student Wellness and Prevention Department’s standard resource offering to ensure sustainability and continued impact beyond the project period
Disseminated project efforts through local presentations resulting in strong interest from teachers and teacher candidates and at national conferences to share the project efforts more broadly