Leigh Clausen
School Counselor

lclausen@cayuse.k12.mt.us

I joined Cayuse Prairie School as the K-8 School Counselor after spending several years supporting students across the Flathead Valley. I bring a diverse background in education, outdoor leadership, and mental health, and I’m passionate about helping students feel seen, supported, and connected.

Before joining Cayuse, I worked as a substitute teacher and assistant librarian in the Columbia Falls School District. I’m currently completing my M.A. in School Counseling through the University of Montana. I’m also a proud member of the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society and a recipient of the Rural Mental Health Practice Pathway Grant. I earned my undergraduate degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine, and my first M.A. in Environmental Policy and Law from Vermont Law School.

Beyond my work in schools, I’ve spent years as a yoga instructor, a naturalist ranger in Glacier National Park, and a college instructor at FVCC. I love incorporating mindfulness and wellness practices into my work with both students and staff.

Outside of school, I’m an avid reader who enjoys tending my garden, hanging out with my chickens, and cooking nutritious meals. In the summer, I run a small vacation rental business, teach yoga, and get outside as much as I can with my husband Jon, our son and future Mustang, Harlan, and our dog, Sage the vizsla!