About

Dear CIS Community,

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to my blog My name is Andie Urquhart and I am thrilled to serve as the middle school counselor at CIS. This is my sixth year at CIS. I am originally from Canada, but prior to coming to the Cayman Islands, our family has had the pleasure of living in Japan, Venezuela, Russia, Brazil and Bulgaria.

As a certified counselor with a specialization in counseling from the Ontario College of Teachers in Canada, along with a certificate in International School Counseling and a Master’s in Education, I am dedicated to providing emotional, social, and academic support. I am honoured to work alongside an exceptional staff as a member of our Student Support Team, ensuring that all students have the tools they need to succeed.

Middle school is a time of tremendous growth and change, both physically and emotionally. During this time, students experience shifts in their cognitive development, particularly in their frontal lobe, which governs decision-making and impulse control. This is a period of exploration, self-discovery, and learning to navigate complex social dynamics. It's normal for adolescents to feel unsure or overwhelmed at times, but with the right support, they can develop resilience, self-awareness, and confidence. My role is to guide students through these changes, help them build strong social and emotional skills, and empower them to develop a positive mindset toward learning. I conduct "push-in" classes on social-emotional learning to help students build crucial skills such as empathy, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution. I also provide one-on-one counseling for students facing personal challenges, whether academic, social, or emotional. In the Cayman Islands we are fortunate to have a variety of outside resources to refer our families to. 

I am here for you, whether you’re a student seeking advice or a parent looking for guidance on how to best support your child during this pivotal time. It’s important to remember that learning isn't just about academics—it's about discovering joy in the process of growth and finding your passions. Together, we can create a supportive environment where every student feels heard, valued, and encouraged to thrive.

I am excited to witness the incredible journey of growth and discovery that each student will experience this year. Thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity to be a part of this process. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any support

Our strong community principles of kindness, partnership, sustainability, and good intent are wonderful reminders for all of us as we begin the new year. These are extraordinary times that we are living in right now. We don’t know what might be affecting someone’s life, making the current situation even worse (emotionally, physically, financially). Be patient and kind with each other. Listen to one another, and remember that mental and emotional support is available to you. My door is always open, and I work very hard to establish trust and rapport and to respect student’s privacy so that they are free to explore issues, feelings, and behaviours. If you have a question or concern, please feel free to reach out to me by email at andie.urquhart@cis.ky.

Warmly,

Ms. Andie