Tony Marshall

Student Counsellor

Tony Marshall is a counsellor and Spanish teacher at Gulf Islands Secondary. He considers himself fortunate to have grown up on Salt Spring Island and to have had the opportunity to host numerous international students who quickly became like brothers and sisters. This experience enhanced his cultural awareness and fuelled his passion for travel, adventure, new cultures, and international friendships. Tony went on to study education at the University of Victoria and after several years of travelling, studying Spanish in Mexico, and teaching ESL, returned to his beloved island with a Mexican wife to live peacefully and raise two daughters. Tony has first hand experience as a student abroad and understands well the challenges, rewards, and transformative effects of international education. He believes that the web of global friendships created through international education is undoubtedly making the world a better place. Recently Tony completed a Masters in Leadership and Counselling through the City University of Seattle. He is friendly, helpful, open minded, caring, and connects easily with students.

Nia Williams

Student Counsellor

Nia Williams is a student counselor working with The Gulf Islands International Program. She received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria and completed her Masters in Leadership and Counselling through San Diego State University. Prior to working in the Gulf Islands she was a District Counsellor in northern Vancouver Island. It was in this remote geographical location that she experienced the value of cultivating cultural connections within communities. The motivation for working at Gulf Islands Secondary School is the unique caring climate, the commitment to educational excellence and the diverse experiences available for personal growth. Nia finds immense joy, in witnessing International students expand their potential in new learning environments. She is grateful for the opportunity to provide academic and emotional support to all students. Nia is the mother of three children and deeply appreciates being able to travel through the Gulf Islands every morning across the ocean.

Maggie Allison

Career and Post-Secondary Counselling Maggie has worked in the area of Career and Post-Secondary Counselling for 22 years, the last 19 years being on Salt Spring Island after running a successful small business in Ganges during the late 1980’s.

As School-Community Liaison Coordinator, Maggie assists students in determining career and educational pathways at colleges and universities, planning GAP years, sourcing scholarships and bursaries and connecting them with local mentors where they can develop skills and gain a deeper understanding of their choices.

As well as overseeing the ACE-IT (Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training), Secondary School Apprenticeship and Work Experience Programs, Maggie also works actively to forge partnerships between community stakeholders and the school district. Coordinating the local scholarship program is a good example, liaising with community groups and private donors to bring remarkable support to the graduates of School District #64 annually.

Creating a strong network between school and community to enrich student’s education is what it’s all about.