The counseling program at Owyhee-Harbor works in harmony with the philosophy of the Harbor Method.  We work hard together to provide a safe harbor for all children.  I teach a classroom lesson every week in your child’s classroom.  The teachers and I also focus on a different character trait each month and spend the month focusing a little more heavily on that trait.  The chosen traits for this year are citizenship, responsibility, determination, respect, self-discipline, honesty, cooperation, and compassion.  I provide small group counseling, brief individual therapy, parent and staff consulting, a mentor program,  money for those families that are struggling, and access to Operation School Bell.  I also teach a parenting class twice a year for parents of gifted children.

Schedule: All day Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning

Focus areas: 

• Classroom guidance: Weekly lessons
• Small groups: Open ended support groups
• Individual work with students: By request
• Parent education: Parenting the Gifted Child
• Mentoring: ZGA Architects
• Other: Owyhee-Harbor Walking Club gives children a chance to relax and exercise at lunch by walking the perimeter of the field in a friendly, accepting environment,  Distances will be totaled and rewards given.

Mary E.L. Baker M.Ed.

Educational background and experience:  Masters degree from Seattle Pacific University, 22 yrs as a K-12 counselor

Outside of school Mary keeps busy in several different venues. To exercise the brain she is a Professor for Treasure Valley Community College working in the education department teaching classes around southwest Idaho. She also loves a good Mystery book. A passion of Mary’s which exercises the heart is performing musically.  Besides keeping a steady stream of classical music running in her office she is involved in several musical groups playing the euphonium.  (What is that you ask?  A tenor tuba).   She plays in Big Brass, Inc., Treasure Valley Concert Band, BSU All-Campus Band, BSU Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, Engelberg Brass Quintet, and the Boise School District Faculty Orchestra.  Mary grew up playing and performing on the organ.  To exercise the body Mary loves to snow ski, snow shoe, lake kayak, wake skate and surf, exercise, ride her scooter and her bike, and do yoga.

To email the counselor please use the following convention:
firstname.lastname@boiseschools.org (mary.baker)

For more information about our District's Counseling program:
District Counseling Department | Classroom Guidance Units | Small Groups
Parent Education | Individual Student Counseling & Parent/Staff Consultation