Empowering Educators Through Wellness: SMART Goals & Cancer Prevention at GCSC’s Professional Development Day
- Kirsten Robinon
- Aug 8, 2024
- 3 min read
On August 9, 2024, CANI partnered with the Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) to bring an energetic and refreshing start to the new school year. As educators prepared to launch a new school year, CANI was invited to host two sessions centered around mental health, wellness, and cancer prevention.
We were honored to welcome two experts from the University of Chicago: Dr. Emma Brett, a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, and Dr. Nita Lee, Gynecologic Oncologist and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Over total of 100 staff members attended the sessions at West Side Leadership Academy, creating an engaged and high-energy environment for learning and reflection.
SMART Goals for Living with Dr. Emma Brett
Dr. Brett began with an engaging session that introduced educators to the S.M.A.R.T. framework — Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Limited — as a way to turn intentions into real, manageable habits.
Her workshop combined science-backed insights with everyday strategies that teachers could immediately connect to their work, their families, and their own self-care needs.
Dr. Brett walked the group through:
How behavioral choices — sleep, nutrition, movement, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and mental health habits — shape long-term well-being
How stress and anxiety differ, and why understanding that difference helps break unhealthy cycles
“Stinking Thinking” patterns that sabotage motivation—and how to replace them with balanced, empowering thoughts
How to turn personal values (connection, creativity, peace, family, spirituality) into daily habits that feel realistic instead of overwhelming
A Moment Worth Highlighting: Box Breathing in Practice
In one of the most impactful moments of the workshop, Dr. Brett demonstrated Box Breathing, a simple but powerful tool for managing stress in the moment.
Check out Dr. Brett's presentation here:
Cancer Prevention & Screening Education with Dr. Nita Lee
Following Dr. Brett’s presentation, Dr. Nita Lee offered a powerful session focused on cancer prevention and the importance of early detection — especially in communities disproportionately impacted by chronic health inequities.
Her presentation translated medical guidance into clear, accessible information educators could apply immediately. Highlights included:
Understanding major cancer risk factors, including tobacco/nicotine use, chronic stress, family history, and environmental exposures
The role of routine screenings, such as cervical cancer tests, mammograms, colon cancer screening, and HPV vaccination
Common myths about cancer and what evidence actually shows
How lifestyle habits — movement, nutrition, sleep, and substance use — intersect with cancer risk over time
Recognizing early warning signs and knowing when to seek medical advice
Dr. Lee emphasized that early screening saves lives — especially in areas where systemic barriers have historically delayed diagnoses. Her session empowered staff with the knowledge they need to advocate for their own health and the wellbeing of their families.
Why This Day Mattered
Educators are the backbone of the community, often carrying heavy emotional and physical loads throughout the year. These two sessions were intentionally designed to support:
Mental health and stress resilience
Health goal-setting grounded in personal values
Reduced risk of chronic disease and cancer
Awareness of tobacco-related health impacts
A stronger culture of wellness within our schools
CANI’s goal is to meet educators where they are and equip them with meaningful, tangible resources — not abstract concepts.
Moving Forward
CANI will continue partnering with school districts, workplaces, and community organizations to provide accessible, culturally responsive health education rooted in our four priority indicators: Heart Disease, Mental Health, Tobacco, and Infant/Maternal Health.
Our work with GCSC and the University of Chicago reflects our commitment to building a healthier Northwest Indiana — one informed, supported educator at a time.
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