By Jackson King – Social Media Editor

Mr. Maurutis is a Health teacher at Law. Advocate Editorial and News Editor Jackson King interviewed Maurutis about teaching Health and what students can take away from the class.

Jackson King: What inspired you to becomeaHealth teacher, and what do you enjoy most about teaching health?

Mr. Maurutis: I have always enjoyed sports, exercise, and learning about the human body, which led me to pursue my undergraduate studies at ECSU in Exercise Science and Health Education. Growing up, I also saw family members struggle with diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Those experiences personally motivated me to develop a deeper understanding of health and how lifestyle choices can impact our overall well-being.

JK: What do you think is the most important thing students should learn from your Health class?

MM: At the end of the day, I want students to understand how the choices they make can affect their physical, mental, and social well-being. My goal is for students to recognize that they have a significant role in their own health and that making informed, healthy choices can help them live their best and most fulfilling lives. I want them to leave my class with knowledge and skills they can carry with them beyond high school and use throughout their lives.

JK: How do you make Health class interesting and engaging for students?

MM: I believe that the nature of the topics and the authentic, real-life curriculum naturally lead to interesting and engaging content. Topics such as mental health, relationships, nutrition, exercise, substance use, sexual health, and personal safety are all areas that students can relate to in their everyday lives.

JK: What is one of the biggest challenges you face when teaching Health, and how do you handle it?

MM: One of the biggest challenges I face when teaching Health is meeting the level of Health education for all students when discussing topics that can sometimes be personal, sensitive, or uncomfortable. Students come into Health class with different backgrounds, experiences, and levels of knowledge, so I try to create a classroom environment where everyone feels respected and comfortable participating.

JK: What is one thing you hope your students take away from your class and remember even after they graduate?

MM: One thing I hope my students take away from my class and remember long after they graduate is that they have a significant role in their own health and well-being. I want them to understand that the choices they make every day, whether related to physical health, mental health, relationships, nutrition, exercise, or other areas of their lives, can have a lasting impact. I hope they remember to be informed, think critically, and make choices that help them live their healthiest and most fulfilling lives.