Welcome! I am so glad that you are here.

Alone we can do little. Together we can do so much. 

For the past 22 years, I have enjoyed the opportunity of working in schools as an occupational therapist, student services coordinator, and superintendent of programs and instruction. If you know me…you know I am passionate about education – especially inclusive education.

Over the past few years, I have observed a significant change in education. While there have always been students with additional needs, the pandemic has created a seismic shift. The diversity of needs in classrooms has increased, waitlists for assessments and services are now counted in years, not days or months; and, educators no longer report feeling “tired” and “ready for a holiday” – they report burnout, exhaustion and compassion fatigue. 

As a private OT, I receive daily phone calls from parents requesting services. One of their primary concerns: Their child is struggling in school.

Now, I will continue assessing students, writing reports, and consulting with schools. 

However, I know there is a better way. 

From my years in schools, I have gained tremendous respect for student services teachers. I know when they have the tools and resources they need, classroom teachers and educational assistants access what they need and children succeed.

The challenge is that student services teachers are often isolated, overstretched and overwhelmed.

My hope, through the Saskatchewan Student Services Collective is to reduce this isolation, support the health and well-being of student services teachers through an occupational therapy lens, and to share resources, tools and practices to make the role easier.