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This issue highlights another faculty contributor, Dr. Sayonita Ghosh Hajra, who is one of the facilitators of the Wellness in the Classroom FLC.
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Wellness in Daily Lessons
By Sayonita Ghosh Hajra, Assistant Professor, Mathematics
Being a part of the Wellness in the Classroom Faculty Learning Community, both as a participant and a co-facilitator, I learned how physical and mental well-being are essential for teaching and learning. I learned multiple wellness activities, irrespective of disciplines, that can be incorporated during daily lessons.
I use 2-3 minutes of class time sharing wellness resources and/ or checking with students. These resources include information on sleep hygiene, exercises, meditation, mental health, basic needs, campus events, and others. I also provide optional weekly wellness and reflection activities that students can complete for extra credit. In addition, I make sure to take a 3-minute break during daily class time so that students can get up, stretch, move around, and stay hydrated.
I have received positive feedback from students. In giving feedback on an extra credit assignment, one student wrote, “I just wanted to say thank you for this assignment. I know it is just extra credit, but it was really helpful for me. I got to see where I was lacking in taking care of myself...So I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the effort you are putting in and how much you actually care about your students… how having a positive attitude similar to yours makes learning a lot easier and fun.”
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Sayonita Ghosh Hajra is an assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at California State University, Sacramento. She has 7 years of college teaching experience and is involved with mathematics, mathematics education research, and K-8 prospective teacher preparation. She believes that “Health and well-being are essential components for effective teaching and learning,” and incorporates daily wellness activities in her teaching.
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Announcements
Out of the Darkness Walk April 14th
Sacramento State’s Active Minds Sac State Chapter, Student Health and Counseling Services, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Sacramento Chapter are proud to host the 11th Annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for Suicide Prevention. Join us on April 14th at 5:30pm in front of The WELL to remember and honor those we have lost to suicide, spread awareness of this critical topic, and normalize the conversation around suicide and seeking help when needed. Together, we can bring this topic out of the darkness and into the light to support our Hornet Family. Register yourself or a team HERE.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April, Student Health and Counseling Services is partnering with WEAVE to bring awareness to sexual violence on college campuses. All month long the campus is hosting events for the Hornet community on rape culture, the prevalence of sexual violence, how to support any survivors we know, and how we can work together to keep our community safe. Follow @shcssacstate and @weaveatsacstate on Instagram for educational content and event details.
- Our Voices will Be Heard Exhibit – April 2022: The Our Voices Will Be Heard Exhibit will be featured all of April at the Exhibit Lounge on the 2nd floor of the University Union. The pieces featured are based on sexual violence survivors' stories of survival, all submitted by Sac State students.
- Breaking Out of the Box, Tuesday April 19, 2:30-4:00pm – University Union, Cottonwood Suite: Breaking Out of the Box is a presentation on gender socialization that discusses how gender roles impact our views of sexual violence. By breaking out of the box in our gender roles, we can empower survivors and change the culture to end sexual violence on our campus.
- Denim Drive – April 11-22, 2022: From April 11th-April 22nd, Student Health & Counseling Services will be accepting denim donations for Denim Day. Denim donations may include jackets, hats, jeans, overalls, etc. Drop off any donations to Room 1031, located in the 1st floor of the WELL, Monday-Thursday (8:30 AM-5 PM) and Friday (9:30 AM-4:30 PM).
- Denim Day, Wednesday April 27, 12pm-3pm – The Library Quad: This worldwide annual event results from a 1998 Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. As an act of solidarity, we wear and display denim jeans to end victim blaming and better understand that clothing does not equal consent. Stop by the Library Quad to participate in a rich discussion on supporting survivors and educating yourself about sexual violence.
- Take Back the Night, Friday April 20 6:30pm-8pm: Starting as a protest in March of 1972, women began marching on their campuses together in an organized and intention manner, demanding a less violent future. Take Back the Night is a march that demands safety, promotes the end of gendered violence, and focuses on marginalized groups while empowering survivors to share their stories.
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Strategies*
- Recognize that more tasks do not always equate to more learning
- Publish grading rubrics in advance [Grading Rubric Examples]
- Utilize examples from the real world in class (for example news clips, career advice, guest speakers from the workforce students hope to enter)
The full Wellness in the Classroom toolkit may be found here.
*Adapted from Simon Fraser University’s “Well-Being in Learning Environments” program.
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Self-Care
In honor of the Out of the Darkness Walk on April 14, take some time to connect with a friend or colleague to combat silence and loneliness. While loneliness is linked to depression and increased likelihood of mortality, social interaction is linked to better mental health, cognitive function, and immune function. So share some support and laughs!
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Events
Apr 14 – Here to Career: LinkedIn & Handshake, 1:30-2:30pm [Register]
Apr 14 – Out of the Darkness Campus Walk, 5-8pm, front of the WELL [Register]
Apr 15 – ASI Anniversary Open Climb, 4-7pm, Peak Adventures Challenge Center
Apr 18 – Safe Zone training (open to all Hornets), 9am-12pm [Register]
Apr 18 – Free Grocery Pop-Up, 10:30am-1:30pm, Library Quad
Apr 19 – Here to Career: Resumes, 1:30-2:30pm [Register]
Apr 19 – Working Out Your Stress, 5-6pm, the WELL Wildwood Room
Apr 20 – River Clean Up, 1-3pm, Guy West Bridge
Apr 20 – Mingling Over Mocktails with the PRIDE Center, 7-8pm, the Cove in the WELL
Apr 22 – Free rentals for Sac State students, 8am-5:45pm, Sac State Aquatic Center
Apr 26 – Healthy Mind Talks, 5-6pm, Round Table Pizza in the Union
Apr 27 – Denim Day, 12-3pm, Library Quad
Apr 28 – Sac State 5k Fun Run: Prehistoric Chase, 6-7pm [Register]
Apr 29 – Free Friday: Coffee Bike Ride, 12-3pm [Register]
Apr 29 – Take Back the Night, 6-8:30pm, front of the WELL
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"It is widely accepted that health and well-being are essential elements for effective learning."
El Ansari & Stock, 2010
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The "Wellness in the Classroom: Faculty Influence on Student Wellbeing and Success" project seeks to provide faculty with the tools and resources to create conditions for student wellbeing and optimal learning in the classroom.
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