Schools and Educators
Empowering Schools and Educators with Digital Wellness
As a digital wellness educator and certified teacher with 21 years of classroom experience—including 12 years in 1:1 device schools—I understand the unique challenges schools and educators face when it comes to managing technology (both professionally and in the classroom). From navigating the increasing presence of social media to creating meaningful boundaries for screen time, schools need practical strategies that work for both students and staff.
I partner with schools to help create tech-positive environments that encourage mindful and balanced digital use. Whether you're dealing with phone policies, social media bans, looking for ways to better integrate technology into the learning process or help your staff balance their professional digital wellness, I offer tailored solutions for every school community.
Educator Resources:
Classroom Resources
Teachers, I've got a lot of resources for your classroom when it comes to digital wellness for students, digital citizenship and digital media literacy! And I'm always adding to it! I love feedback and creating resources based on teachers' needs, so please reach out and let me know what you like, what you want changed and what you'd like to see!
Schools & Educators
Teachers, join me in learning about how you can control digital overwhelm in your school and teaching responsibilities via this EduSpark course on digital wellness for teachers. I provide resources and practical tips to help you with digital overwhelm in your professional and personal life.
My Services for Schools:
Professional Development for Educators
I offer two distinct approaches for schools to choose from, depending on their needs:
Fostering Digital Wellness Habits for Staff and Students
Equip your staff with tools to manage their own digital habits and help students navigate tech use responsibly. These sessions focus on:
Staff Digital Wellness: Strategies to support teachers in maintaining a healthy work-life balance with technology, reducing screen fatigue, and modeling good digital habits for students.
Student Digital Wellness: Practical tips for guiding students in device-heavy environments, helping them set boundaries, stay focused in class, and build a mindful relationship with technology.
Building Media Literacy into the Curriculum
Media literacy is essential for today’s students, and I help educators weave it into their existing curriculum. This approach includes:
Teaching students to critically evaluate information they encounter online and on social media.
Incorporating media literacy activities that promote digital citizenship, responsible content creation, and thoughtful media consumption.
Equipping teachers with resources and lesson ideas that make media literacy engaging and relevant to students’ lives.
Student Workshops
My student workshops go beyond just limiting screen time; they empower students to understand the tech they use and how to build healthy, sustainable digital habits. These interactive sessions cover:
Healthy Digital Habits: Teaching students how to manage their time online, set boundaries, and use devices mindfully, ensuring tech serves their goals rather than distracting from them.
Understanding Algorithms and Tech Company Platforms: Helping students recognize how algorithms and social media platforms are designed to keep them hooked. We’ll explore how to curate content and take control of our experiences.
Mental Health and Resilience: Addressing the emotional impact of being constantly connected and how social media can affect self-esteem and mental health. I provide strategies for building resilience, handling online pressure, and fostering a healthier relationship with tech.
Open Communication with Parents: Encouraging students to have honest, open conversations with their parents about their online experiences. We discuss how transparency at home can build trust and create a supportive environment for navigating the digital world.
Parent-School Partnerships
Bringing parents into the conversation is key to supporting students' digital wellness. I work with schools to create engaging, informative sessions that educate parents on the same topics their children are learning about, from media literacy to current online trends. Schools have two ways to approach this partnership:
Train Educators to Present to Parents:
I can help your school develop a series of presentations for educators to lead throughout the year. These sessions will:
Teach parents about media literacy, helping them understand the digital world their kids are navigating.
Provide insight into the content of student workshops, so parents can reinforce healthy digital habits and build resilience at home.
Address current trends, from social media use to emerging platforms, and the challenges kids face in today’s online world.
Host In-Person Parent Sessions:
Alternatively, I can lead interactive, in-person sessions for parents, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions about digital wellness and media literacy. These sessions will cover:
Practical tips for supporting their children’s digital habits at home.
Ways to communicate openly and effectively with their kids about online experiences.
Updates on the latest trends and issues impacting their children’s mental health and online presence.
By offering these options, your school can foster a tech-positive, collaborative environment where parents feel informed and empowered to support their kids.
Why Work With Me?
With over two decades of teaching experience across four countries, I’ve seen firsthand the evolution of tech in education and how it affects students, teachers and families. As a consultant for companies working on digital citizenship and wellness, I bring a unique perspective that blends education, family dynamics, and digital literacy.
"Her subject knowledge and passion for her work provided invaluable to the school and the students. She is highly skills in resource and lesson development and brings her subject to life. She has used these skills, both in the classroom and to support others. She is known as an expert in this field and has had the opportunity to speak to the important topic of safety online. I highly recommend her in her endeavours."
Suzanne Murray
Safeguarding and Child Protection Consultant at FairChild Safeguarding Ltd
"Heather is a fantastic advocate in the digital citizenship and digital well-being community. She is part of a select group of Common Sense Ambassadors, a group of educators in Common Sense Education who help spread a culture of digital citizenship and well-being in schools by training teachers, teaching students, and engaging parents and families."
Kelly Mendoza
Vice President Education Programs at Common Sense Education
"Heather is passionate about the digital well-being of youth and focused on using reliable data to inform her practices!"
Justin Patchin
Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center
"Heather is a hard working, friendly and energetic educator that gives 100% at all times. She goes above and beyond and thrives in leading in the space of digital wellbeing. Heather would be an asset to any school looking for highly experienced and talented educators and leaders."
Craig Kemp
Co-Founder at EduSpark
