This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

While history, grammar and arithmetic curricula hardly change year-to-year, the subject of health changes greatly. It takes a savvy educator to stay on top of the changes to make certain students receive the latest information.

Jenne Leigh Hamlin, who in July received the High School Health Teacher of the Year Award at the 2011 Utah Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference, is such an educator.

Hamlin, 34, has taught the health course at Salt Lake City's West High School for 12 years. "Health is the one course that changes constantly," she said.

Every student at West High takes Hamlin's course, so she handles classes as large as 42 students. The desks in herclassroom are clustered in groups of six. Each cluster is assigned a number, and the students in each group work on exercises together. Hamlin relies on a lot of group activities and in-class discussion.

"One thing I like about health is that its effects are immediate," she said. "Everything about health has to do with behavioral change."

Parents tell Hamlin of changes in their family diet as a result of the nutrition portion of the course, which coincides with parent-teacher conferences, she said.

"Jenne Leigh is one of the strongest health teachers in the state. She is always looking for the new," said CiCie Scharman, the Healthy Lifestyles Curriculum supervisor for the Salt Lake School District.

"She has a good rapport with the kids, she's energetic. She has done a lot for the district and the state," Scharman said.

Hamlin's students learn a wide range of health topics, from the importance of regular exercise to the dangers of illegal drug use and underage drinking. Other topics in her class include Internet safety, cyberbullying, sexting, CPR and teen pregnancy.

Hamlin uses some technology-enhanced props in the classroom such as beer goggles (visual impairment goggles that show how drinking can lead to visual distortion and slower reaction times) and an empathy belly (a 30-pound, strap-on belly that simulates fetal kicking).

She is involved in Zero Fatalities, a national campaign to educate all drivers of the dangers of drowsy driving, impaired driving and texting while driving.

The married mother of one has served West High as the head swim coach and assistant swim coach, and currently is tech manager for the swim team.

"If I had the budget, there are so many things that I would do," Hamlin said. But for now, using current topics in the media and the latest health-related reports will have to do.

"When health stops being a problem, I'll stop talking about it," she said. —

For your health

Utah Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference • bit.ly/qt54qH

West High School • west.slcschools.org

Zero Fatalities • bit.ly/pdHsl8

USDA Food Guidelines • choosemyplate.gov