Beginnings: In 2015, I established a public school circus program at Saltspring Island Middle School (BC). By the end of the first year, the aerial and ground circus extra curricular performance troupe, Tsunami Circus, was established. Initiated by 8 students who signed up at lunch, there were 45 performers by the end of the school year. The demand by the student population led to creating an exploratory aerial and props circus class, allowing the entire student body to participate through rotations throughout the year. Indeed, this little program augmented participation levels from students in all their classes (to be able to attend circus), and positively influenced the culture of the school. Students of all backgrounds began working together, supporting one another, and sharing in the concept of "The P's of Circus". Tsunami Circus: Over time, the in school and after school programs were enjoyed by 1000s of children and youth not just from SIMS, but from the neighbouring elementary and high schools. As a PE and Health curriculum teacher and coordinator, I was able to offer an alternative PE program. I blended my roles as school Counsellor and teacher, which influenced the way I lead the Tsunami Circus after school troupe. I had the honour of being writer, producer, director, and main choreographer for annual Mother's Day weekend circus shows that highlighted the extraordinary hard work and talent of more than 50 youth and many parent supports. I worked with the aim to create a culture of authentic belonging, where popularity was built on kindness and being a safe person to learn with. This led to young people of all body types and backgrounds finding their inner athlete. It was a ground breaking program. The Closure: Circus arts and a thriving Counselling program was a 20 year commitment. My vision resulted in unique and thriving public school aerial circus and counselling programs that were used by the majority of the school population. However, with the arrival of a new superintendent in 2019, the program was in jeopardy. By 2022, after Tsunami Circus survived the pandemic and even kept students active during those difficult years, the new superintendent made the drastic decision to close the middle school, never having seen the circus or counselling programs in action. With the sudden change in our school district's core values and direction, and the need to find a solution to the district's debt, I was hit with the tragic end to the programs that brought joy and healing to so many youth. This forced school closing took 2 years to accomplish, and after putting 22 years to build these unique and thriving programs, I was in deep grief. However, this closure gave me an opportunity to reevaluate my life and reestablish my purpose. New Beginnings: The abrupt, irreverent closure was devastating, and took time for me to make sense of and recover from. It felt like I was going backwards if I stayed, as my new options as a teacher/counsellor in the district were not innovative or matching what I valued about myself. Through my 2 year process of transitional grief, I was able to recreate a new vision, including reestablishing myself in a new community where I could redesign but not throw away my life passion and professional learning. With my eldest daughter in her second year at Dalhousie, a sister in New Brunswick, and extended family in Nova Scotia, Halifax was a clear contender. The kindness, creativity and grit of the folks in this charming city appealed strongly. WIth plenty of schools, including post secondary, my losses began to feel less significant than the possible gains of this new adventure and second chance. For those last 2 years in my former community, as I planned my move across the country, I supported the transition of the public school system's Tsunami Circus program's amalgamation with the now expanded Salt Spring Circus and Gymnastics. The enormous collection of gear and 15 rigging points in the engineered aerial circus gym was not going to collect dust. Now my circus program was an official non profit organisation, and I could leave my legacy and create a new opportunity where I could once again innovate. I moved to Halifax in May of 2025, and brought with me my skills and enough gear to Nova Scotia to continue providing education through circus arts on the East Coast. What does Circus do for schools? The experience of having aerial circus in public school as an elective supported the inner athlete in all kinds of body types and youth from various backgrounds, and became a tool for helping improve attendance, self-care, boundaries, risk assessment, and school culture. I now offer this for schools, where clients can select a variety of options to create special workshops that focus on many curricular outcomes and Health and Wellbeing mandates. In particular, learning outcomes in circus arts develops skills around emotional literacy, personal safety and injury prevention, healthy relationships, and healthy habits. Circus can create wonder, and inspires creativity, self expression, critical thinking, and community for all those who choose to participate. Moreover, it is fun! Counselling through circus: I also bring with me the experience of a successful "counselling through circus" program, where students could opt to learn about themselves in small groups or one on one sessions, where they would address issues of PTSD, ADHD, ODD, OCD, and other anxiety related mental health concerns. Professional Development and Keynote: My bandwidth also includes experience leading Professional Development workshops and Keynote Speaking for schools and organisations interested in Relational Rejuvenation. The aim of these workshops is by design guaranteed to bring staff together while learning skills in a variety of topics such as Sexual Health Education, Trauma Informed Practices, Building Cultural Safety, and Physical Education. If you are interested in investing in an innovative experience for your school, please inquire about workshops for teachers and staff. Workshops are engaging and interactive through practicing teamwork, play, empathic emotional safety, and intentional mutual support, and leave participants with new lesson plans and skills in their profession. As a registered BC teacher with over 24 years of teaching experience, I understand the current challenges for teachers, admin, and support staff in education. As a Counsellor and Registered Clinical Therapist, let me help you find connection in your workplace and provide tools to help identify how to support students with mental health concerns. As a Circus Coach, let me help you have fun with your colleagues while learning new ways to connect with and engage your students!