School Counsellor Cathy Preibisch is the 2026 Champion for Accessibility
May 29, 2026
Cathy Preibisch works with staff, students, and families at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Elementary Middle School to build inclusion in the school. The school counsellor is dedicated to supporting the whole student. For her, that means supporting families and staff, too.
“I want to be there for anyone who wants to come in my door – whether it’s a parent, student, teacher or other staff member,” said Preibisch. “I just think every person deserves to feel safe and deserves to feel connected and valued in any space.”
In practice, this includes co-teaching social and emotional learning, promoting well-being strategies for students, staff and families, and visibility in the school and classrooms.
One initiative Preibisch and partner counsellor, Marie Amos, rolled out at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt is Coffee Hour. It’s a regular drop-in where families learn tools they can use at home including how to build resilience in kids and how to support students with mental health struggles such as anxiety. Through the program families realize they’re not alone. The parent who nominated Preibisch for the Champion for Accessibility Award says Coffee Hour is a huge gift to families.
Building connection also means giving students opportunities to take on responsibility, build confidence, find peer groups, and practice self or co-regulation. Preibisch introduced Fashion Fridays, the Green Crew, and Brain Break Buddies to help students do that.
“My passion are invisible disabilities because those are the students who I often have in my office,” said Preibisch. “How do we help students with invisible disabilities feel comfortable in the classroom or comfortable in the school.”
The Green Crew is a group of students who spread mental health awareness. Students develop a sense of community while they work together to organize activities for special events like Mental Health Week and Pink Shirt Day.
Fashion Friday keeps clothes out of the landfill and gives students responsibility and a sense of pride. Three or four times a year, students prepare for Fashion Friday. They fold and hang clothes so their peers can ‘shop’. Every student gets a token to use at the store.
With Brain Break Buddies, middle schoolers who need a movement break check in on the elementary classes to see if any younger students also need a break. After a quick walk around the school, both students are better regulated.
“In those 10 minutes, the middle school student feels like a rock star because the elementary student looks up to them,” said Preibisch. The students burn some energy and go back to class more focused.
Parents see Preibisch’s impact and are grateful. “I can go on and on about all Cathy has done for our daughter and for us,” said the parent who nominated her.
“As our school counsellor, Cathy brings empathy, patience, and heart to everything she does,” said principal Jason Kemp. “She plays an important role in creating a caring and supportive environment for everyone in our school.”
For her dedication to creating belonging and inclusion for students, staff, and families, the Chilliwack School District Accessibility Advisory Committee has selected Cathy Preibisch as the 2026 Champion for Accessibility.
Pictured: School counsellor Cathy Preibisch in her office at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt. She is smiling and wearing cat eye glasses and a t-shirt that reads 'Mental Health Awareness.' There are motivational posters on her wall, vines hanging in her windows, and dim lighting.