Hi my name is Ayoub Nigatu, one of two school counselors here at Hidden River Middle School.  I serve students with the last names begin with M-Z.  This is my third year at Hidden River and I am entering my 10^th year in Saint Paul Public Schools.  I spent the first 6 plus years in SPPS at two elementary schools, working with younger populations and supporting and promoting healthy school environments at Eastern Heights Elementary and John A. Johnson Elementary.

I was raised in the Twin Cities and started my schooling in SPPS as a youngster.  After my K-12 schooling I attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and graduated with two degrees, one in Journalism and another in Sociology.  Some years later, I went to Graduate school at the University Of Wisconsin-River Falls and received my Masters Degree in School Counseling.

Here at Hidden River, I support students by providing:

*Classroom Instruction around social, personal and academic development;

*Group work around common themes or deficits;

*Creating, developing and implementing Individualized interventions;

*One to one social skills and/or academic skills support

In addition to supporting students and a healthy school climate at Hidden River, I also work for Saint Paul Urban Tennis in the summer as well as do some counseling work in the community and seeking my LPCC licensure.  I enjoy chess, scrabble, and an admitted sports fanatic (Go Gophers!).