Marti J. Pendleton - School Counsellor - Public Schools Branch

Summary

Dedicated professional with extensive experience supporting K-12 PSB students through preventative, developmental, and educational initiatives that empower individuals to overcome challenges and foster personal growth. Committed to delivering emotional support alongside effective strategies and skills that enhance student well-being. A collaborative team player within the Student Services department, focused on ensuring the overall success of each student. Strengths include adaptability, dependability, exceptional active listening, empathy, and problem-solving abilities, all contributing to the creation of a nurturing and supportive environment for every learner.

Overview

15

years of professional experience

Work History

School Counsellor

Public Schools Branch

01.2011 - Current

Member of Student Services Team
Facilitate ILI & BSP meetings, A+ referrals, support student transitions from French to English stream, End of year transition meetings, Kindergarten Orientation, member of MAST teams
Plan and provide activities and presentations for Pink Shirt day, Truth & Reconciliation & Wellness days
Grant application to offer wellness opportunities for staff and students (i.e. new wellness area for staff)
Collaboration with outside resources: CPS, Office of the Children’s Lawyer, Child Advocate Lawyers, Legal Aid, Mental Health Services, Outside Counselling Agencies, Summer Camp Referrals, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Holland College Youth Worker Program, Parenting Programs)
Collaborate with teachers and parents to create supportive educational environments for students.
Advocate for students' mental health needs
Maintain accurate records and documentation ensuring confidentiality and ethical practices
Provide professional development opportunities for staff members on topics related to mental health awareness, and social-emotional learning (i.e. Zones of Regulation, Gender-Sexuality Awareness, Mindfulness, Internet Safety & Anxiety)
Enhance student-teacher relationships through consultation and fostering empathetic understanding of individual student needs and experiences
Provide crisis intervention for whole school and individual students regarding mental health
Collaborate with teachers and parents to implement effective strategies for addressing students unique learning needs
Serve as a liaison between families, school personnel, community agencies, and other professionals
Collaborate with social workers to support parental growth and family cohesion
Advocate for equitable access to educational opportunities by supporting accommodations required for diverse learners
Build positive and productive relationships with students, parents, educators, and community resources.
Social skills groups to increase positive peer interactions and decrease instances of conflict among students.
Mindfulness Presentations to classes to improve concentration and stress reduction among students.
Address student attendance rates, working with families to mitigate underlying issues.
Destination Imagination at East Wiltshire Student-Conference in Tennessee
Encounters with Canada Committee at ME Callaghan
My Blueprint at several schools
Duke of Edinburgh Supervisor at Englewood

Education

Bachelor of Education - Middle Years Stream

University of Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, PE

01-2014

Master of Arts - Counselling Psychology

City University of Seattle

Victoria, BC

01-2009

Bachelor of Arts - Criminology/Psychology, Minor: Sociology

St. Thomas University

Fredericton, NB

01-2000

Skills

School-Wide Prevention Programs: PBIS, Restorative Justice, Conflict Resolution & Crisis Management-PREPaRE
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course-MBSR
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training-ASIST
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training-NVCI
Trauma-Informed Training
Team Collaboration: Student Services & Parent-Teacher
Family Systems Course-Individual and Family Support

Child, Youth and Adolescent Development Courses
Play Therapy Seminar
Social Emotional Learning-SEL(multiple courses & workshops)
Sexual Health Issues and Self Image Seminar
Ethics Course
Solutions-Focused Course

Timeline