Becs Zelis is a Counselor and art educator who was drawn to Oliverian by the unique opportunity to learn and grow in an inclusive community of both peers and students. Becs also loves that Pike, NH is “a beautiful little corner of the universe” and she sees the opportunity to live in nature, and in the White Mountains, as a unique privilege.

Prior to Oliverian, Becs worked as a certified wellness coach, trauma therapist, and downhill ski instructor. In addition, during almost a decade at Camp Songadeewin of Keewaydin, Becs supported high school and college-age students in a variety of spaces – pottery studios, backcountry canoeing, backpacking, teaching leadership skills, and tutoring English and Composition.

Becs is a NBC-HWC certified health coach with a MS in clinical mental health counseling and a MFA in nonfiction writing. She earned her undergraduate degree from RISD where she studied metalsmithing. Becs worked as an artisan and silversmith for many years before transitioning to a career in wellness and mental health.

Her favorite activities include traveling, hiking, writing, meeting new people (and new books!), and spending time in the arts and music studios. Becs and her husband have two college-age children who take their mom and dad on many adventures.

What do you love most about Oliverian?
What I love about Oliverian is the amount of choice that is available to students. This freedom requires the development of personal responsibility and offers room to figure out who we really are, learning what moves and motivates us – and what feels essential.

What motivates you to work with kids?

I love working with young people because they are often more honest than adults. You almost always know where you stand, and if you are open to this you can learn new things about yourself and about the world. (Also, kids still know how to have FUN!)