Tammy Marks, Counsellor at Lakeland Ridge

Sherwood Park, AB. — From February 3-7, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is celebrating Canadian School Counselling Week. Tammy Marks has been a counsellor with the Division for four years and is currently working at Lakeland Ridge. “One of the best parts of counselling is connecting with students and helping them navigate the challenges they're facing,” says Marks. “I also support families in accessing community resources and tools, while assisting teachers and educational staff with strategies to promote student well-being in school and at home.”

Marks has implemented an initiative at her school called Take Ten Tuesdays. “Right after attendance on a Tuesday, students have joined me in an activity called body mapping. Body mapping means taking a moment to close your eyes and take note of your body overall and any prominent sensations you’re feeling from head to toe. This helps students develop an awareness of how they’re bodies are doing—for example, whether their arms feel prickly, or their head is whirling.”

After the body mapping, students journal about these sensations. “Once students are aware of where their body is feeling tension or stress, we figure out strategies to help alleviate the sensation—from deep breathing to mindfulness techniques. Having this awareness at the start of the day means students can address what their bodies need before they begin a day of learning. It’s a way to be proactive, rather than reactive.”

Marks piloted Take Ten Tuesdays with Grade 6 students and has been expanding the initiative to more grades. “Counselling is all about building relationships. And it’s amazing to see other staff members, parents, caregivers and students spread the word about mental health strategies and use them to support themselves and others around them.”

School counsellors across EIPS play a vital role in fostering safe, welcoming and caring school environments. They provide essential support to staff in differentiating programming for students with diverse learning needs, empowering students to succeed in school and preparing them for life beyond the classroom.

From school to divisionwide initiatives, the Canadian School Counselling Week is a time to recognize the contributions of the school counselling profession to the personal, social, educational and career development of students at all grade levels.

Thank you to all the counsellors and mental health professionals throughout EIPS for all that you do!

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,950 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.

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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902