By Sebastian Beltran – Social Media Editor  

Jonathan Law Health and Safety teacher Mr. Sweeney teaches students how to think about their futures and make the correct decisions.

For more than 25 years, Sweeney has been teaching Health and Safety at Law. In his classroom, students don’t just learn facts for a test; they learn lessons they can carry into their futures.

“I chose to teach Health and Safety because I believe it provides students with the knowledge and skills that have the most immediate and lifelong impact,” Sweeney said. “Health education equips young people to make informed decisions about their physical, mental, and social well-being—choices that affect their daily lives both inside and outside of school.”

Sweeney said that he hopes his students learn lessons in Health and Safety that extend past the classroom.

“For me, it’s about more than just covering topics; it’s about empowering students to take responsibility for themselves, to recognize the importance of prevention, and to build habits that promote resilience and success,” Sweeney said. “Health and Safety also opens the door to important conversations about relationships, self-awareness, goal-setting, and making safe decisions that help students develop confidence and life skills.”

In class, Sweeney also talks about his life and teaches students how to make the best decisions. He believes that by talking about these important issues, students can better prepare for the challenges of adulthood.

Students in his classes agree that the lessons go beyond and really connect to their lives.

“Mr. Sweeney teaches us about things we will actually need after high school, like how to handle stress and make smart choices,” senior Jack Lefevre said. “It makes me feel more prepared for real life, not just school.

Sweeney hopes that each student leaves his class with something that makes positive decisions in their life – not just in high school, but throughout their lives.

“Mr. Sweeney always finds a way to connect what we learn in class to real life,” senior Samuel Porzelt said.  He wants us to think about our choices and how they will affect our future.

By focusing on skills such as decision-making, goal-setting, and life-saving techniques like CPR, he continues to give students the tools they need to succeed in high school, in their personal lives, and in the future.

“The most important skill by far is the CPR AED unit, because it provides first aid and life saving techniques,” Sweeney said.