Life Between Bells

I’m a veteran K–8 school counselor who believes the moments between the bells matter just as much as what happens in the classroom. I’ve spent years walking alongside students as they navigate emotions, friendships, attendance struggles, and academic challenges—and supporting families through those same journeys. Life Between Bells was created to give counselors ready-to-use tools that are meaningful, student-centered, and rooted in real school life. These lessons are designed to help students feel seen, learn practical skills, and grow in confidence—while saving counselors valuable time. If you need technical support, please inquire of TPT and your tech assistants at your school site. If you still have problems, you can reach out to lifebetweenbells@gmail.com. The prior sarahduncan@lifebetweenbells.com (email) is currently not in service as the hosting site is no longer operational.

To learn more, sail right over to my blog at: https://lifebetweenbells.com or join us at https://www.youtube.com/@lifebetweenbells (coming soon!)

2017 -Presented at CASC Conference with other Graduate Students about landing your first School Counseling job. 2018-2019 -Student was saved from a crisis situation at home and came back at the end of the year to say "Can I get a picture with you? I want to always remember the one who saved my life." When I get discouraged, I remember that I made a difference for that one. And each year thereafter I look for the one student where I know I made an impact. YOU MATTER COUNSELOR! 2020 -One of two school counselors in my district elected to the Social Emotional Learning and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Planning Task Force during the Covid Lockdowns. -Initiated and created a school counseling Google Site during the Lockdowns which is still used by my district today. 2024 -PBIS Coach for my district's Virtual Academy (LAVA). Lead, facilitated, and ran the school's PBIS program. -Co-lead district staff presentations on the importance of Self Care and lead a Self Care Workshop for our district's ASB 8th Grade Students.

BA in Psychology from CSU Channel Islands. MA in Educational and Clinical Counseling from Azusa Pacific University with a PPS Credential. + Participated in these PD's over the years: Capturing Kids Hearts, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support and SWIS Program, Trauma Informed Practices, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, School Refusal and Chronic Absenteeism, Behavioral Intervention Plans, Non-Suicidal Self Injury 101 Training, 504 Training, SST Training, Threat Assessments, Suicide Assessments, DART Training, Reducing Anxiety in the Classroom, Check-in Check-out, PREPaRE Training, Crisis Response Webinar, Social and Emotional Learning through the Arts, Second Step, WebEx Training, De-escalation, RAMP Training, Google Classroom, Google Sites, Catapult EMS Training, Protecting Students During the Pandemic: Detecting, Preventing, and Addressing Child Abuse in the Online Classroom, Middle School and Elementary School Attendance Best Practices Forum, Mental Wellness and Supporting Students in Foster Care, Foster Care Student Rights, Community Circles, A2A/ATTEND Attendance Data System, ASCA Model Training, Parent Project Training, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children 101 CAST LA, Human Trafficking PD, Hatching Results Training, iReady Data Training, The Importance of Family Engagement, Virtual Learning Through Independent Study, Restorative Practices and Attendance Considerations, Sown to Grow Program etc.