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News + Insights  |  Podcasts

News + Insights

Learn about our upcoming events and fundraisers, and read insights from our facilitators, students, donors and community members.

Hiring: Facilitator for Pass it On Program

We are hiring a Facilitator for our Pass It On Girls Program on Salt Spring Island. If you’re passionate about working with […]

July 23, 2026

‘What We Do is Radical’

Another year has flown by. Now that school is out, program manager Kate Nash shares her best memories of the programs she […]

June 30, 2026

Youth: What is a Better Cause to Invest in?

The Circle Education is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without our loyal donors. For our […]

June 30, 2026

Experiences in the Circle led Kit to Ottawa

May 27, 2026

Grab Bag Day! Purses by Donation!

Thank you to all of you who made our Purses with Purpose online auction a success! Due to overwhelming donations from our […]

April 21, 2026

Thirty Years in the Making: Sparkfest sparked connections

The Circle Education is celebrating its 30th anniversary in August. Leading up to this milestone, we talk with people who played a […]

April 16, 2026

Purses with Purpose auction: April 16 – 19, 2026

The Circle Education’s Purses with Purpose fundraiser is back! Between Thursday, April 16 th and Sunday, April 19 th, you can bid […]

April 14, 2026

Methods and Tools with Youth Training in April

The Circle Education is hosting another ‘Methods and Tools with Youth’ Training in April. Experience the circle practices that are transforming how […]

March 10, 2026

Meet Piet Suess, Editor of Between the Mountain and the Sky

The Circle Education celebrates International Women’s Day 2026 with the showing of Between the Mountain and the Sky. Local filmmaker Piet Suess, […]

March 3, 2026

Thirty Years in the Making: ‘Kids need a place to practice their innate intelligence, kindness, and care’

The Circle Education is celebrating its 30th anniversary in August. Leading up to this milestone, we talk with people who played a […]

February 12, 2026

Thirty Years in the Making: Personal experiences led Sarah Belknap to The Circle Education

Sarah Belknap volunteered with The Circle Education in a time of transition. Her term as Board Chair was challenging, but after eight […]

January 13, 2026

Female Polytechnique Alumni Looks Back on Pioneering Years and Montreal Tragedy

36 years ago, on December 6th, 1989, fourteen young women were murdered at the École Polytechnique de Montréal because a man believed […]

December 2, 2025

Listen to podcasts produced by our students + parents

In 2022, youth and parents shared their perspectives on raising kids and growing up.

Together, we produced 13 episodes across two shows.

The Parent Project

Parenting is the most important thing most of us will ever do, and somehow we’re expected to figure it out alone. The gap between the parent we want to be and the one we actually are at 7pm on a Tuesday? Nobody talks about that.

In this 9-episode series, parents and grandparents sit in circle and get honest about connection, struggle, and the tools that actually help.

Episode 1: Building Relationships with our Children

What does it look and feel like to be truly connected with our children? We dive into our personal successes and challenges building connection within our families. Listen to learn more about the tools we can use to foster deeper relationships.

Listen to all 9 Parent Project episodes

Juvenoia

Adults worry about kids screen time, mental health, what they believe, and who they’re becoming. But how often do we actually ask kids for their perspective?

Juvenoia — named for the fear adults hold toward younger generations — flips the script. Ten youth aged 16–18 from Salt Spring Island made this podcast for adults. Four episodes cover real talk on social media, mental health, identity, and the environment.

Episode 1:  Youth Perceptions of Social Media and Mental Health

In this episode, Maggie and Sasha unpack the perception that youth are overly influenced by social media, and explore the relationship between social media and youth mental health.

Listen to all 4 Juvenoia episodes

New to Salt Spring, Devon is excited to engage with the local community. As a certified teacher and registered counsellor, she works with students both on Salt Spring and across BC, offering social and emotional instruction, support, and skill development. Her extensive experience in both educational and recreational settings has given her a strong appreciation for the critical role that meaningful connection with others plays in the development of children and youth. A strong advocate for social-emotional learning, Devon views it as the foundation for all other areas of growth and is particularly inspired by the programs offered by The Circle Education.

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Christina Adair is a dedicated professional serving as a District Child and Youth Worker for SD64. With an extensive background spanning over 15 years, Christina has acquired substantial experience working with children and youth in diverse capacities. Her unwavering commitment lies in fostering youth leadership and advocating for their rights. Christina has demonstrated her dedication through 13 years of volunteering with Scouts Canada, where she successfully led youth groups and facilitated adult meetings. Christina takes immense pride in her role as a caregiver and mentor to countless young individuals, with her two grown children serving as a testament to her nurturing capabilities.

Dan has been working in the credit union system for over 22 years, the last 8 with Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union.  His latest role is as a Branch Manager for the Salt Spring branch.

He has a long-time passion for giving back to his community, particularly where children are concerned.  He has been a scout leader for the last 19 years and has taken part in 2 Pacific Jamborees.  Once as a participant and the latest one as the treasurer.

He also volunteered for 12 years with the PACE program in Victoria.  PACE is a musical theater program through the school system for children ages 5 – 17 that puts on two shows every year.

While new to Salt Spring, having moved here in the spring of 2021, he is excited to get involved with the community and proud to be involved with The Circle Education.

Lisa grew up in Cochrane, Alberta, and has recently come to live on Salt Spring Island, after having lived abroad for 25 years.  She studied fine arts at the Wackers Academie in Amsterdam, had a son in Denmark and a daughter in the UK. She served as Chair of the PTA of Holy Trinity Primary School in Wimbledon for 5 years, which was a registered charity entity separate from the school. She learned about the Pass it On Boys program when her son showed an interest in joining it. Being new to the community she asked fellow parents about the program to find out how it was viewed. After hearing only good things about it, she registered her son and the next logical step was of course to join the board, as she always strives to be an active member of the community by providing support based on her broad life experience.

Lyyli Kennedy was a Pass it On mentor at Gulf Islands Secondary School and has been drawn to the idea of working with The Circle Education for a long time. She had been waiting for a facilitator role that aligned with her schedule as head baker at Francis Bread, and this role with the Pass it On Program is the perfect match. With her background leading diverse kitchen teams and working as a classroom education assistant, Lyyli (pronounced Loo-Lee) is committed to fostering respectful relationships and inclusive spaces.

Patrick Howlett moved from Australia to Canada in 2019. Nine years earlier, he switched careers from communications to outdoor education. He worked with young people at The Great Aussie Bush Camp and Camp Tanuga in Michigan, USA, and helped students run their Senior Leadership Challenge at Camp Summit in Squamish. His work with youth taught him the value of patience, the ability to see the best in people, the importance of clear communication and empathy.

Marcia is our Communications and Event Coordinator since July 2021. She moved with her husband and two daughters – who are both attending high school in SD64 now – from the Netherlands to Salt Spring Island in 2012

As a swim team coach for the Salt Spring Stingrays, Marcia knows and understands youth realities of living on a small island.

Marcia has 25+ years of experience in writing and communication for Dutch and Canadian media outlets – most recently the Driftwood – and non-for-profits.

Kate has been working with The Circle since 2010, serving as a facilitator and contributor to program development. Her extensive experience in developing and implementing curricula has supported the organization's ability to address youth needs effectively.

Kate's unique approach combines her background in theatre, play building, and improv with a deep understanding of youth development. This blend of skills allows her to create engaging, interactive experiences that resonate with young people across various age groups.

Students consistently praise Kate for her compassion, attentiveness, and ability to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Nick MacKinnon has a background in cancer research and biomedical engineering and in working with medical device startup companies as a founder and director. As a former educator, Nick has a strong commitment to STEM advocacy. He has served as a director and advisor on multiple boards and advisory committees, including the biomedical engineering programs at BCIT and UBC and professional associations in both BC and internationally. Nick has also been involved with non-profit cooperatives in British Columbia, particularly in the housing and car-sharing sectors. Notably, as a director, he helped lead the development and construction of the 54-unit Arbutus Housing Co-op in Vancouver. Now retired, Nick continues his longstanding dedication to education and social justice. As a director with The Circle Education, his interest is in governance, financial management, and fundraising.

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Janine started her career with the Ministry of Education in Victoria, B.C. in 2000 as an education officer in the area of accountability and system performance. Since moving to SSI, Janine has taught as a teacher-on-call with School District #64, delivered parent support sessions as a trained Virtues Project Facilitator and worked for Volunteer and Community Resources Society (VCR) in support of the island’s not-for-profit sector.

Janine is a dedicated member of the Salt Spring Island community. She sat on the Board of The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation for six years, served as chair of the SSI Foundation Grants Advisory Committee for six years, coordinated the local Terry Fox Run for eight years, served as a board member and then president of the Salt Spring Island Aquatic Society for a total of eight years, and in 2018, she founded the local chapter of 100 Women Who Care.