In 2015, I established a public school circus elective program at Saltspring Island Middle School (BC), and founded the aerial and ground circus extra curricular performance troupe, Tsunami Circus, that same year. Initiated by 8 students, there were 45 performers by the end of the school year. ​ In 2015, I established a public school circus elective program at Saltspring Island Middle School (BC), and founded the aerial and ground circus extra curricular performance troupe, Tsunami Circus, that same year. Initiated by 8 students, there were 45 performers by the end of the school year. Over time, the in school and after school programs were enjoyed by 1000s of children and youth at SIMS, where I was also health curriculum teacher and coordinator, alternative PE and Circus Exploratory teacher, Counsellor, and Tsunami Circus lead coach. I also had the honour of being 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. 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, until the new superintendent's drastic decision to close the middle school in 2022. With the sudden change in our school district's values and direction, and what I also saw as a short-sighted solution to their debt, I found myself in deep grief for several years. This forced school closing took 2 years to accomplish after putting 22 years to build these unique and thriving programs. This closure gave me an opportunity to reevaluate my life and my purpose. 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. With my eldest daughter in her second year at Dalhousie, Halifax was a clear contender. The kindness, creativity and grit of the folks in this charming city appealed strongly. For those last 2 years in my former community, 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 circus 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 to children and youth on the East Coast. 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 develop skills around emotional literacy, personal safety and injury prevention, healthy relationships, and healthy habits. Circus can create wonder, creativity, self expression, and community for all those who choose to participate. Moreover, it is fun! 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. 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 Sexual Health Education, Trauma Informed Practices, Building Cultural Safety, and a greater Sense of Belonging. If you are interested in investing in the focus of safety through school culture and the sense of belonging, please inquire about workshops for teachers and staff. Workshops are engaging and interactive through practicing teamwork, play, empathic emotional safety, and intentional mutual support. 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!  As a Circus Coach, let me help you have fun with your colleagues while learning new ways to connect with and engage your students!