"I can't comment on the sessions themselves as these are conducted with Darja and individual students but I can comment on student reactions, Darja's communication with me and her understanding of student needs and growth.  Darja works with 4 of my current students - all very different girls with a variety of needs and issues.  All 4 girls absolutely adore Darja.  They return from sessions gushing about the activities they did - it was obvious that Darja tailored sessions so completely to student needs and growth.  All activities were so different - from exploring songwriting, to role playing, to creating art pieces with special meaning.  Each girl was so obviously connected, energized and inspired by her time each week with Darja.  When Darja spoke about any of the girls she worked with, I was always aware of how well she knew each girl and how careful and thoughtful her observations were.  Sometimes she would share stories that would make me teary and allow me to learn about ways to better understand a child.  For this, I was deeply grateful. 

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Darja has a beautiful open spirit.  She meets children with compassion, understanding and genuine care.  She celebrates their personal progress and growth and has wonderful instincts about how some very small moments mean very big things.  Darja is also just natural with children - she has a lovely demeanour with all the children in the school.  I also noticed that Darja is able to understand how movement and work for a child can take a long time.  She allows risk taking and exploring challenging emotions in a safe and patient way. Her genuine care for each student ran deep and each child felt this fully.  

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Darja is meant to work with children.  She made deep connections and important relationships.  I always felt she put the learning, the needs and the growth of each child she worked with as a top priority.  It has been an absolute delight to share these very special children with her.  Their lives are absolutely enriched from working with her this year."

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Carrie Gelson, Teacher at Seymour Elementary

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"What I’ve enjoyed is that you can express yourself in the art.  It helped me get through my grandpa’s death and my dog’s death while in school.  I like how Darja helps us calm down in different ways.  What I’ll remember the most is Darja and how she helped us so much."

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Grade 3 Student

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"I enjoy Expressive Arts because it is calming.  It relaxes me.  And you can let out all your anger.  It’s helped my anxiety a little bit because I get anxious in class, but when I come here, my anxiety goes down.  What I’ll remember most about our group and time together is the art helping me let out my anger and calming me down, and being with Darja.  Also, being creative."   

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Grade 6 Student

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"I learned things and activities that help you feel better, and also what I like and don't like.  I got confident for the past 3 years together.  I learned that I gotta go with whatever comes and I also learned how to say no to things.  The most important things I learned from Darja is to be confident and to not always say yes!  Always choose the right thing! 

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Grade 7 Student

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"Expressive Arts helps you a lot and the teacher is always there for you and every problem that you have, they help you with and make you feel safe and that everything is going to be okay.  It has helped me a lot, and it helped me express my feelings and calm down and let go of my past and start over. " 

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Grade 8 Student

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"I have enjoyed Expressive Arts because it helps me with communication when I’m having a hard time and with expressing myself.  I can express what I feel by writing it on paper. I have become more confident by just coming to Expressive Arts.  It has helped me with school too by making me communicate and by being more confident."

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Grade 8 Student

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"I enjoyed a lot when we discussed our memories.  I will say that here I got to know many things like if I am sad I can express my feelings on paper.  It has helped me a lot for having more confidence, creativity, feeling calm, expressing feelings and especially for happiness." 

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Grade 9 Student

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"I enjoyed every part of the Expressive Arts program.  It has helped me a lot as in my creativity and expressing my feelings, not by saying anything but by just speaking through my art.  It helps me to stay happy when I am sad."

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Grade 11 Student

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"I love Expressive Arts.  It helps when I’m having a bad day.  There should be more programs like this.  It’s helped me a lot with dealing with negative emotions.  I got to give them characteristics I didn’t think they had.  It’s calming as well.  I recommend it 100%.  What I’ll remember the most is that negativity isn’t permanent, and a little creativity and new experiences can improve the day.  I’m really grateful for being here, since I often have bad days.  Best program."

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High School student

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