Goals for Teachers

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Teacher Goals

Goal 1: Establish a process to identify students with asthma

Goal 2: Allow students with asthma easy access to their inhalers.

  • Encourage students to carry their own inhaler medication with them at all times.
    • Most students over seven years of age are capable of developing the skills to use inhaler medications.
    • For students who are not allowed to carry their inhaler, it is best to have the medication available in the classroom and within easy reach.   Medication is then available for use in cases of worsening asthma or to prevent asthma attacks prior to physical activity.
  • Distribute to and collect from parents a completed Authorization for School Medication Use Form (Board Specific) and Student Asthma Management Plan.
  • Know which students carry their inhaler and those who require assistance.
  • Become familiar with how to use an inhaler medication in the event that you are required to assist a student. Discuss use with student and/or parent or review the Inhaler Technique Sheets. 

Goal 3: Establish a school wide process for handling worsening asthma.

Goal 4: Identify and reduce common asthma triggers within the school environment.

  • Know the asthma triggers for students in your class. The Student Asthma Management Plan identifies the student's triggers and management. This form is part of the School Asthma Information Package that students with asthma should receive from and return to the school.
  • Use the trigger checklist to identify possible triggers in your classroom and around the school.
  • Monitor for asthma triggers on an ongoing basis and take action to reduce exposure to asthma triggers whenever possible.
    • Examples: strong smelling markers, chalk dust, perfume/cologne, furry animals, freshly cut grass, pollen, very hot or very cold temperature, poor air quality, cigarette smoke, etc.
  • When possible, use asthma friendly school supplies and products.
    • Examples: scent-free markers and cleaning products, dust-free chalk.
  • Encourage frequent hand washing to decrease the spread of infections. Viral infections are one of the most common asthma triggers.
    • Most students over seven years of age are capable of developing the skills to use inhaler medications.
    • For students who are not allowed to carry their inhaler, it is best to have the medication available in the classroom and within easy reach.   Medication is then available for use in cases of worsening asthma or to prevent asthma attacks prior to physical activity.
  • Distribute to and collect from parents a completed Authorization for School Medication Use Form (Board Specific) and Student Asthma Management Plan.
  • Know which students carry their inhaler and those who require assistance.
  • Become familiar with how to use an inhaler medication in the event that you are required to assist a student. Discuss use with student and/or parent or review the Inhaler Technique Sheets. 

Goal 5: Students with asthma should participate in activities to the best of their ability.

  • Be familiar with your students Student Asthma Management Plan. This form should indicate what activities may affect the student with asthma including exercise and if a reliever inhaler is required before participating.
  • Review:
  • Consider altering activity locations to avoid or reduce exposure to allergies/triggers such as freshly cut grass, pollen, hot/cold air and poor air quality.
  • Be prepared to handle asthma on school field trips. For example, take steps to:
    • Notify parents/guardians well in advance of school field trips. Describe the activities that will occur.
    • Ensure that reliever inhalers are easily accessible on school field trips and that you know how to handle worsening asthma.
    • Bring the School Newsletter Article Managing Asthma Episodes on school field trips.
    • When planning outdoor physical activities, try to avoid freshly cut grass, extreme temperatures (cold, hot or humid), and poor air quality.
  • Be aware that children with asthma should be expected to participate in physical activities or exercise unless otherwise specified by a physician or the child is currently experiencing asthma symptoms.
  • Use preventive measures to allow participation in exercise and/or vigorous physical activity.
    • Use a warm-up period.
    • Permit use of reliever (blue) inhaler 10-15 minutes prior to activity, if needed.
    • Understand how to handle symptoms associated with exercise.

Goal 6: Provide school personnel, parents and student body opportunities to gain a general understanding of asthma.

  • Identify your own learning needs related to asthma and review necessary materials:
  • If you have a question about asthma, call The Lung Association's Asthma Action Helpline at 1-800-668-7682 or 1-888-344-LUNG(5864) or the Asthma Society's Asthma Support Line at 1-866-787-4050 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
  • Review with your class the steps to take if someone is experiencing worsening asthma (Refer to the poster Managing Asthma Episodes)
  • Provide opportunities for students to learn about asthma. Examples include:

Goal 7: Collaborate with families, health care professionals, and school personnel to create asthma friendly schools.