Very First Teaching Smart Forum at Inland Empire United Way

A teacher’s resource to help address common issues

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA (April 21, 2010) – On Thursday, April 29, 2010 Inland Empire United Way will host the first in a series of Teaching Smart forums at the Rancho Cucamonga office at 9624 Hermosa Avenue from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Teaching Smart forums are an expansion of Inland Empire United Way’s School Tools program, which provides classroom supplies to teachers from underfunded schools. Teachers who currently participate in School Tools expressed interest in broadening the scope of the program to include informational resources to help them address issues they face with their students.

To fulfill that need, Inland Empire United Way is partnering with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health/Healthy Communities Program to develop this month’s topic on fitness and nutrition. The first forum will focus on fun, creative methods for integrating fitness and nutrition into the classroom in a manner that appeals to and engages students. This topic was chosen based on suggestions from teachers about what they most want to learn about.

“The goal of the Teaching Smart network is to create a forum for teachers to express concerns, ask questions, connect with other teachers,” said Lorraine Ousley, Director of Education & Health Initiatives at Inland Empire United Way. “We hope to generate solutions to eliminate problems more effectively.”

“The Teaching Smart forums are a great resource for teachers,” said Angelica Baltazar of San Bernardino County Department of Public Health/Healthy Communities Program. “Sharing with educators fun and easy ways to incorporate fitness and nutrition into their curriculum encourages our youth and our community to live a more active and healthy lifestyle.”

On Thursday, Debbie Tougas, creator of “Coursing Around,” will be giving a demonstration and presentation on her book. She has developed a compilation of sidewalk chalk courses and accompanying activities geared toward children ages 5-15 that combines fitness with social and educational components. 

In addition, Polina Marian, owner of Addicted to Yoga in Chino will be doing a short presentation on yoga in the classroom. Addicted to Yoga is a studio that caters to participants at all levels, and has provided free workshops for low-income families in the Inland Empire.

Participation in the Teaching Smart forum is currently limited to participating School Tools teachers. Please contact Lorraine Ousley for more information at lousley@ieuw.org.

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