School Counseling @ Coyote Creek Elementary

Debbie Edwards, MA, LPC, School Counselor

Direct Phone: 303-387-6193

Email: dedwards2@dcsdk12.org

Meeting Request Form

I am a Parent / Guardian and have a question or concern about my student

Do not use this referral form in an emergency



Social Emotional Learning


The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is committed to advancing equity and excellence in education through social and emotional learning. Through classroom lessons, small groups and 1:1 work with students, the School Counselor helps support SEL at Coyote Creek.


This support is largely proactive and preventive in nature, taking place in classroom lessons. The interventions provided for students in small groups or 1:1 will generally fall into one of these five core competencies as well.



This year, we are so excited to continue using mindfulness as a self-awareness/self-regulation tool in our classrooms. What started primarily in counseling lessons over the past two years, we are expanding as part of our school wide focus on social emotional learning (SEL).


Why incorporate mindfulness into every classroom? Neuroscience research proves that when we learn to use mindfulness techniques such as mindful breathing, mindful listening, mindful thinking, and activating the senses, we create neural pathways in our minds that become easier to access over time for calming and improved focus. Research also shows that when we are taught how to be mindful during non-stressful moments we can use that practice during actual stressful events. Our overall goal is for students to practice and learn how to respond to situations rather than react both at school and at home.


The chosen curriculum is MindUp, a research based program that is thorough and easy to implement. MindUp is based on four pillars: neuroscience, mindful awareness, positive psychology, and social emotional learning. If you would like to learn more about this program, please go to their website at https://mindup.org/mindup-for-schools/. While this is not a stand-alone curriculum being added to their teaching load, each teacher can integrate the lessons, tools and resources from MindUp into their daily routine in a way that best fits their style and classroom needs.



Mindfulness and SEL

Check out this short video to learn more about Social Emotional Learning (SEL).


Part of our school-wide focus on SEL includes the practice of mindfulness. Simply defined, mindfulness is being aware of our thoughts and feelings in the present moment. And because thoughts and feelings impact choices and behaviors, this is something educators and parents are growing passionate about! Incorporating simple practices like mindful breathing is the starting point for helping children with such things as:

  • improve self-control and self-regulation skills

  • strengthen their resilience and decision making

  • increase academic success and boost their enthusiasm for learning

  • reduce peer conflict and increase things like empathy, compassion, patience, and generosity.

As part of our continued school-wide SEL work, classroom teachers and I will model and teach various mindfulness practices that students can use in school and at home to help them calm big emotions and make wise choices.


To give parents a better picture of how mindfulness can help kids, The Child Mind Institute has put together information on how it works, how it can be used at home and in school, and the role mindfulness can play in treating a variety of mental health issues. Check it out! And please contact Mrs. Edwards if you have any questions about Mindfulness at CCE.


SEL Articles and Resources

Watch the CCE Newsletter and this page for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) articles and resources to help parents and caregivers reinforce these important life-skills with their students.