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Contemplating a career path as a wide-eyed young adult, I was certain I was headed into the field of education, but much less certain about specifics. I enjoyed mathematics and science most during my high school years, and I developed a passion for history; but I also enjoyed the energy and innocence of the elementary-age learners. I can distinctly remember intentionally reflecting on how I might be able to make the greatest impact on a person’s life. It was then that the answer became clear: I wanted to become a health educator.

Teaching hundreds of students about healthy eating habits, active lifestyles, mental and emotional well-being, and the many other topics within a middle and high school health curriculum, if done right, could have a profound impact on the length and quality of life a person leads. And it was greatly rewarding!

Health education, however, is a far greater responsibility these days. With sedentary lifestyles common, mental health needs on the rise, and less-than-nutritious food options around every corner, the only way to fully combat the trend toward poorer health is to work from a community perspective. As a school district, city, town and county, we must find avenues to both provide and instill habits for healthy living. A habit is a less conscious approach to living healthy. It becomes “what we do” each and every day, rather than an isolated effort to exercise or eat healthy.

In the Canandaigua City School District and the surrounding city and townships, we are working collaboratively to find ways to make healthy living a bigger part of our community. Community leaders come together regularly, research our assets and try to determine how we can promote healthy living in a transformative way. For me, this initiative is a rewarding and natural culmination to that lifelong interest in health education. For the community, it’s a chance to build on our already strong foundation.

We are early in this endeavor, but there is a growing excitement about its possibilities, and we are hopeful that we will be able to showcase a vibrant, healthy community — one that draws similarly committed people here to live long, happy and healthy lives together. Please join us!