The Brain Wave Space- an Innovative Comprehensive Counseling Program St. Elmo
The Brain Wave Space: Mission and Vision
Mission
The St. Elmo innovative comprehensive counseling center—The Brain Wave Space—supports all students in their social, emotional, and academic growth through a neuroscience-informed approach. Drawing from the groundbreaking work of Dr. Bruce Perry, Dr. Dan Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson, and Dr. Karyn Purvis, Brain Wave recognizes the critical need for student well-being in today’s dynamic school environments.
This dedicated space offers opportunities for solace, connection, and emotional regulation, allowing students to restore their sense of calm and return to learning with renewed focus and engagement.
Vision
The Brain Wave Program empowers students to realize their potential and utilize their strengths to spark positive transformation within their school community through student-led wellness initiatives.
The program emphasizes essential College and Career Readiness skills, including:
- Teamwork
- Effective communication
- Emotional regulation
- Goal-setting
- Problem-solving
These are vital competencies for success in both academic and future career paths.
With enhanced 24/7 digital support resources, a renovated counseling center featuring sensory tools and a brain regulation lab, and a technological upgrade, Brain Wave is uniquely equipped to meet diverse student needs. The program also allocates student-led funding for school-based wellness events, aligning with their individual academic and career aspirations.
This collaborative, neuroscience-based initiative is designed to harness the full potential of our minds—creating a powerful wave of positive change for all.
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Hello St. Elmo Community,
My name is Kristel Sans, and I am proud to serve as the School Counselor and Gifted and Talented Advocate at St. Elmo Elementary School.
I earned my undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University in 2010 and my graduate degree in counseling from Lamar University in 2016. I’m thrilled to call St. Elmo my second home, and I’m excited to support our students in their academic, social, and emotional growth.
When you meet me, one thing you’ll quickly learn is that I love the beach—a love rooted in my heritage from the tropical coast of Guatemala. In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, writing, learning new things, and spending quality time with my dog, Lilu, and my partner, Lee, who is a bass player performing with several well-known bands here in Austin.
I’m passionate about staying active and you’ll often find me biking, swimming, practicing yoga or pilates, gardening, or paddleboarding (SUP). I’m also deeply involved in animal welfare and ocean conservation. I’ve volunteered with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, where I helped build a sea turtle sanctuary in Honduras—a powerful experience with an organization dedicated to marine life preservation.
Another passion of mine is traveling the world. Some of my favorite destinations include Bali, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Cuba, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic—but my all-time favorite place is Tulum, Mexico.
