Community and Well-being

Dear May Center Community,

With a newly imposed stay at home order, the holidays just around the corner and the general craziness of 2020, these months of uncertainty seem unending. It has become increasingly apparent how important community is for our well-being. At a time when many of us continue to feel disconnected, we want to offer a chance to come together.

Based on parental feedback, we have created a support group to give you a chance to connect with other parents during this incredibly challenging time. Topics will range from parenting children with learning differences and anxiety, to effective ways to deal with your own parenting stress, to topics requested by group participants. The group will be facilitated by May Center's Jamie Shannon-Owings, who is not only an amazing MC teacher but who is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

The group is limited to a total of six families for participation, and we already have a few families signed up. The cost of participation is $10/session. Please send an email to Liz Daly (liz@maycenter.org) by Monday, November 23rd if you have any questions or would like to participate!

The group will begin meeting on Tuesday, December 1st from 3 to 4pm via Google Meet, and then will meet roughly every 2 weeks thereafter with the following dates confirmed thus far:

Tuesday, December 15th
3 to 4pm

Tuesday, January 5th
3 to 4pm

Tuesday, January 19th
3 to 4pm

For more information about Jamie, please see her bio below:

Jamie Shannon-Owings comes from Southern California but now considers Santa Fe her home. She has over 20 years teaching experience in California and in New Mexico and has taught Pre-K through Grade 5. Jamie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies/Teaching with a concentration in Psychology from California State University Dominguez Hills. She holds a Level Two Professional K-8 Elementary Teaching License from the state of New Mexico. She also has a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Southwestern College and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a passion for play therapy. Prior to joining the May Center, Jamie worked as a therapist for children and their families. Since joining the May Center, she has been a full time classroom teacher, LEAP summer school teacher and part time tutor. She has completed her Montessori training with NAMC and earned a Lower Elementary Montessori Diploma. She is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner through ALTA. Jamie is just finishing post-graduate professional courses that will enable her to sit for the New Mexico Professional School Counselor’s exam. When not teaching or being a student, Jamie spends time with her loved ones (including four dogs), dancing, and making art.