Wellness Teacher
Ms. Metcalfe believes wellness education should help students better understand themselves, navigate challenges, and make thoughtful decisions in their everyday lives. As the wellness teacher for Grades 5–8, she creates a supportive classroom environment where students can ask honest questions, consider different perspectives, and build skills they can carry with them well beyond Middle School. She also values her role as an advisor and the opportunity it provides to develop meaningful relationships with a small group of students and create a space where they feel known, supported, and comfortable being themselves.
Impacting Students
Ms. Metcalfe’s curriculum grows with students as they move through Middle School, addressing topics such as self-care, friendship, mental health, nutrition, digital wellness, healthy relationships, substance-use prevention, and sexual health. Her lessons connect accurate health information with reflection, discussion, and real-world decision-making. Through projects, case studies, role-plays, and student-created resources, students do more than learn information—they practice applying it to situations they may encounter in their own lives.
Lifelong Learner
Ms. Metcalfe continually evaluates and strengthens the wellness curriculum so that it remains relevant to students’ changing needs. She collaborates with colleagues, counselors, nurses, and outside experts while drawing on current research and best practices in health education. She values learning from the expertise within the school community and translating that learning into meaningful classroom experiences for students.
Why I Love Teaching
Middle School was a tough, lonely four years for me. I wanted to teach this age group because of the teachers who helped me get through Middle School. I want to be that person for others.
Favorite Childhood Memory
Spending the day at our farm in the country.
Other than Graland, I Support
St. Jude, Moms Demand Action, Colby College, Lesley University, MICDS (Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School)
Joined Graland In...
2007
Also Known As...
Advisor, Trip Leader, Co-Advisor of Peer Leaders, Advisory Task Force Member, Character Task Force Member
Hometown
St. Louis, Missouri
Education
Master's in Curriculum and Development from Lesley University
Bachelor's in Human Development from Colby College
Impacting Students
Ms. Metcalfe’s curriculum grows with students as they move through Middle School, addressing topics such as self-care, friendship, mental health, nutrition, digital wellness, healthy relationships, substance-use prevention, and sexual health. Her lessons connect accurate health information with reflection, discussion, and real-world decision-making. Through projects, case studies, role-plays, and student-created resources, students do more than learn information—they practice applying it to situations they may encounter in their own lives.
Ms. Metcalfe is especially committed to helping students develop self-awareness, think critically, communicate responsibly, and recognize when they or someone else may need support.
Lifelong Learner
Ms. Metcalfe continually evaluates and strengthens the wellness curriculum so that it remains relevant to students’ changing needs. She collaborates with colleagues, counselors, nurses, and outside experts while drawing on current research and best practices in health education. She values learning from the expertise within the school community and translating that learning into meaningful classroom experiences for students.
Why I Love Teaching
Middle School was a tough, lonely four years for me. I wanted to teach this age group because of the teachers who helped me get through Middle School. I want to be that person for others.
Favorite Childhood Memory
Spending the day at our farm in the country.
Other than Graland, I Support
St. Jude, Moms Demand Action, Colby College, Lesley University, MICDS (Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School)
Joined Graland In...
2007
Also Known As...
Advisor, Trip Leader, Co-Advisor of Peer Leaders, Advisory Task Force Member, Character Task Force Member
Hometown
St. Louis, Missouri
Education
Master's in Curriculum and Development from Lesley University
Bachelor's in Human Development from Colby College
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
