The ELM - The Emotional Literacy Movement

08/09/2026

After a lot of thought and consideration, I’ve made the decision to officially close this chapter of ELM – the Emotional Literacy Movement.

It’s a bittersweet decision, because ELM has been such an important part of my own learning and growth. It gave me a space to explore something I care deeply about: helping people better understand emotions, relationships, communication, and ourselves.

And while ELM as a business is coming to an end, the work certainly isn’t.

This past year has brought so much change, growth, opportunity—and, if I’m being truthful, a whole lot of busyness! My work in learning and development has continued to grow through Eclectic Communications, while I’ve also been supporting the growth of my husband’s construction business and continuing my work with Seeds of Life Alliance.

Somewhere along the way, I realized that having so many separate projects and businesses wasn’t necessarily allowing me to give my best to any of them. So, rather than continuing to add more to my plate, I’m learning to bring some things together.

Moving forward, my emotional literacy workshops, learning opportunities, and much of the content you’ve come to know through ELM will find a new home through Eclectic Communications.

For anyone who already has a workshop booked with me—please don’t worry! I will absolutely honour those commitments and am looking forward to them. And if you’ve been interested in bringing an emotional literacy workshop to your organization or community, those opportunities aren’t disappearing either. They’ll simply be offered through Eclectic Communications moving forward.

Mostly, though, I want to say thank you.

Thank you to everyone who attended a workshop, joined a cohort, followed along, shared a post, encouraged an idea, asked a thoughtful question, invited me into your organization, or simply believed there was value in this work.

ELM taught me a tremendous amount—not only about emotional literacy, but about entrepreneurship, taking chances, figuring things out as you go, listening to the people you serve, and recognizing when it’s time for something to evolve.

Sometimes growth means building something new. And sometimes growth means recognizing that something has done what it was meant to do and carrying the best parts of it forward.

I’m incredibly grateful for this chapter, and I’m excited to see what the next one brings.

The name ELM may be coming to an end, but my belief in the importance of emotional literacy—and my commitment to teaching it—is very much continuing.

Here’s to learning, evolving, simplifying, and making room for what comes next.

03/09/2026

Hello fellow Manitoba teachers 🤍

I’m a former middle years teacher who worked in Winnipeg school divisions for over a decade. A few years ago, I experienced burnout and stepped away from the classroom. That season led me into a deep dive into nervous system health, emotional regulation, trauma-informed practice, and what truly supports both student and staff well-being.

Out of that journey, I founded The Emotional Literacy Movement, a business focused on bringing emotional literacy education to youth and educators.

Over the past several years, I’ve delivered programming for students (Grades 3 and up) as well as professional development workshops for teachers, student services teams, and school counsellors. My work centers on practical, research-informed tools that help create more regulated, resilient classrooms for both students and staff.

I’m currently booking schools for the three workshops listed in the poster. If your school is looking to strengthen emotional regulation supports, better understand nervous system health, or proactively address burnout, I would love to connect.
Given what we’re all seeing right now around student and staff mental health, this work feels more important than ever.

Feel free to reach out or send me a message if you’d like more information.

[email protected]
www.emotionalliteracymovement.com

03/02/2026

It’s been quiet over here for a while, and I want to share why.

In the spring of 2024, I suffered a spinal injury that left me unable to walk, sit, or stand for nearly a year. It was a season that required all of my focus, patience, and energy to heal. Recovery reshapes you — and I’m deeply grateful to now be feeling strong and stepping back into the work that lights me up.

Recently, I had the opportunity to guide a workshop at Dr. D.W. Penner School focused on the connection between nature, mental well-being, creativity, and focus. What a gift that day was.

Together we explored:
• The science behind access to nature and learning
• How outdoor time supports student well-being and performance
• Practical ways to reduce teacher burnout
• Making outdoor classroom transitions seamless
• Preparing and using outdoor learning spaces with intention

It was a thoughtful, engaged group, and the conversations were rich and inspiring.

If you’re part of a school or daycare community and are interested in bringing a nature-based professional development workshop to your staff, I’m now taking bookings and would love to connect.

[email protected]
204-952-1870

06/18/2024

Looking forward to presenting tomorrow on the Importance of Nature & Nature-Based Recreation on Health & Well-Being!
Thanks for having me, Saskatchewan Association of Recreation Professionals!

June 17-23 was slated Recreation Professionals Week in Saskatchewan for the seventh consecutive year! We’re extending the celebrations throughout June with the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association and the Saskatchewan […]

03/28/2024

Did you know that our nervous system has evolved over 200 million years to help us survive in a dangerous world?

However, modern life is vastly different from the environment in which our nervous system evolved, leading to a growing mental health crisis among young people.

As parents and educators, we all want the best for our children.
But in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, it can be challenging to navigate the complex landscape of mental health and emotional well-being.
That's why we've created the Emotional Literacy Masterclass Series, a comprehensive program designed to teach parents and educators how to enhance their own emotional literacy and in turn, help their children.

Through practical tools and strategies, you'll learn how to understand your own nervous system, regulate your emotions, and build resilience in the face of challenges.

By participating in the Emotional Literacy Masterclass Series, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to support your child's emotional literacy and overall well-being.
With a better understanding of your own emotions, you'll be better equipped to teach your child how to navigate their own feelings and develop a healthy mindset.

Don't miss out, register your spot today!

www.emotionalliteracymovement.com/masterclass

03/27/2024

We are biologically wired for connection.

Have you ever noticed how much better you feel when you're surrounded by people you trust and care about?
It turns out that our brains are actually wired to seek out social interaction and connection.

According to research by Dr. Daniel Siegel, when we feel safe and connected with others, our brains are better able to regulate our emotions. That's because our brains are constantly sending and receiving signals that help us understand our environment and react appropriately.

When we're in a supportive social environment, those signals can help us feel calm, secure, and emotionally stable.

On the other hand, when we feel isolated, threatened, or disconnected, our brains can go into overdrive trying to process all the information around us. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and overwhelm, making it harder for us to regulate our emotions.

So if you're feeling stressed or anxious, try reaching out to someone you trust and care about.

Even a brief interaction can help you feel more connected and supported, which can go a long way toward regulating your emotions and improving your overall well-being.

Visit www.emotionalliteracymovement.com/masterclass for details about our upcoming Emotional Literacy Masterclass Series beginning April 4th!

03/25/2024

03/23/2024

03/22/2024

Emotional stress, when left unaddressed, can have a significant impact on your physical health, intimate relationships, ability to feel safe in the world, the capability to learn new things, make informed decisions, problem solve, and impact our overall well-being

Here are five potential impacts of emotional stress:

1. Physical symptoms: Emotional stress can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, and muscle tension. Prolonged stress can also weaken the immune system, making a person more susceptible to illnesses.

2. Mental health issues: Chronic emotional stress can contribute to the development of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can also exacerbate existing conditions.

3. Sleep problems: Stress can interfere with a person's ability to fall asleep or stay asleep, leading to fatigue and exhaustion.

4. Relationship problems: Emotional stress can strain relationships with friends, family members, and romantic partners. It can also make it difficult for a person to form new relationships.

5. Impaired cognitive function: Prolonged emotional stress can impair a person's ability to concentrate, remember things, and make decisions. This can affect academic or work performance, as well as daily life tasks.

The Emotional Literacy Movement is a community where parents, educators, and youth can learn how to regulate their nervous systems and connect with their emotions, empowering them with the tools they need to understand their own emotions and attune with others' emotions.

Join our 6 week Emotional Literacy Masterclass Series beginning April 4th!

Visit www.emotionalliteracymovement.com/masterclass