Health Education

Why choose health education at North Central College?

This minor will equip you to teach health at the elementary or secondary school level. If you major in physical education, it will provide extra student-teaching opportunities as well as a distinct advantage in the job market. Aspiring nutritionists also find health education to be a valuable minor.

You can also:

Join the Student Leaders Association of Teacher Educators (SLATE), which develops and carries out service projects and programs.
Earn an additional certification to teach physical education—and still graduate in four years.
Student-teach in some of the Midwest’s premier school districts.
Benefit from a program approved by the North Central Association of College and Secondary Schools, as well as the Illinois State Board of Education.

Alicia Zimmerman earns College's 2012 Outstanding Student in Secondary Education Award

Alicia Zimmerman of Wheaton was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Student in Secondary Education Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

North Central College alumnus earns Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching

North Central College alumnus Robert Taylor is one of 10 Chicago-area educators being honored with 2012 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Gerald Gems, professor of health and physical education

Gems presents at conference, publishes chapter

Gerald Gems, North Central College professor of health and physical education, presented paper at conference, published chapter in book.

more news

Internships

Girls swim coach intern, Naperville North High School
Track & field coach intern, West Chicago High School
Intern, Ultimate Strength and Fitness, Bloomingdale, IL
Sports and programming intern, YMCA, Schaumburg, IL
Intern, Dixon Park District, Dixon, IL

Careers

Health education minors often find teaching positions in districts within a 30-mile radius of North Central, like:

Aurora and East Aurora School District 131
Chicago Public Schools
Naperville School District 203
Naperville Indian Prairie School District 204
Plainfield School District 202

Feature

Alicia Zimmerman

Elementary education major, Health education minor

Alicia minored in health education, in part because she wanted additional classroom training. As a sophomore, she interned at a local middle school where she created lesson plans, ran review sessions, observed classrooms, and graded tests daily. A member of North Central’s cross country and track and field teams, as well as the Concert Winds music ensemble, Alicia credits the personal attention of her professors with keeping her on task while accommodating her intense schedule. “They understand my schedule because they know who I am, my habits in class, and what I am involved with,” she says.

Feature

Tammy Wynard

Health Education

Adding a health education minor to programs in physical education, secondary and elementary education makes North Central students more marketable, says Tammy Wynard, faculty coordinator for health education.

“Being qualified and diverse in today’s society is critical. You have to bring more to the table than just a physical education degree. At North Central you gain important credentials and skills and fill a need in the schools.”

Students learn how to teach, develop curriculum, adapt lessons to fit any classroom situation, and gain access to real classrooms to practice their skills early and often. “It’s important for aspiring teachers to teach in dynamic, growing school districts and North Central is ideally located for that. Our students teach in these schools, giving them an edge in the job market.”

Wynard brings a practical, hands-on approach to her many years of teaching in schools and the community, plus connections to health experts, and notes that health education is not limited to school environments. “Being qualified and certified to teach health opens doors to working in various community venues, too.”

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