LAYTON—Wasatch Elementary first grade teacher Jaden Camp, was selected as one of 10 teachers in the state to receive the Select Health Brain Body Boost Award. The award recognizes Utah educators for promoting health and wellness in the classroom.

The Brain Body Boost Awards recognize educators in grades K-6 who create opportunities for students to practice mindfulness, set personal health goals and help them understand how healthy choices impact their quality of life. Recipients also receive a $1,000 award for classroom supplies, fitness equipment and other tools that promote student health.

“One of my kids’ parents actually wanted to nominate me for it,” said Camp. “She saw the award and was like ‘oh that’d be cool to nominate Miss Camp’ because we did a whole unit about the human body and I guess she said her child just kept coming home and talking about each part of the human body.”

Camp said they talked about how to be healthy. “Things like brushing their teeth and I was able to hand out toothbrushes and toothpaste. Then she saw that every time I sent out homework I put a note on it to make sure they play outside and eat a healthy snack a day.”

Then at school Camp said she hands out veggies. “I think that she wanted to nominate me for that too and for encouraging kids to have those healthy snacks.”

“Educators play a vital role in shaping lifelong wellness habits,” said Kimberly Ruiz, Select Health community relations coordinator. “The Brain Body Boost Awards celebrate teachers who are helping students build healthy routines early – supporting not just academic success, but long-term healthy habits.”

“Every day we do a brain break,” said Camp. “We do a movement break where we’re making sure to move our bodies. Then we also do a breathing exercise so that we can calm our bodies down as well.”

Camp’s focus on health started with the phonics and comprehensive program. “It focuses mostly on comprehension,” she said. “It's supposed to be an exposure for kids but there’s also a unit where we’re supposed to focus on health and the body systems.”

That unit is almost at the beginning of the year and goes for 10 days or so, said Camp. “Then pretty much every day since I still focused on the other parts like making sure we wash our hands and we’re showering and doing all the necessary things to keep our bodies healthy.”

Camp said she feels like it’s very appropriate for first graders. “A lot of them get a lot out of it and they understand what’s being taught and it’s not too difficult.”

The prize money will definitely help, she said. “I definitely plan to use it. I’m only a second year teacher so I’m still kind of developing my classroom and getting things to make it super differentiated so that each kid has what they need.”

Camp said she wants to try and get some flexible seating and other resources to make it so it’s easier for first graders. “I feel like if things are right in front of them it makes them less distracted. So if there are ways that I can keep them engaged, that’s what I want to spend it on.”

Teaching comes naturally to Camp. “I just really love working with kids and I’m definitely more patient with kids than adults.”

It’s a little more understandable when they have behaviors because they don’t understand their own feelings, she said. “So when they cry or do anything like that I understand but if an adult whines I’m like ‘you’re too old for this.’”

Camp plans to continue teaching her students to develop healthy habits. “I want my students to understand how their bodies work and feel proud of taking care of them,” she said. “When they go home excited to share what they have learned, that’s when I know it’s making a difference.”