As part of our Engage In Real Life (IRL) initiative with Launch NW, five SPS staff members will support connecting students with activities. These Engagement Navigators are assigned to schools based on the five high school feeder patterns of our district, which allows families to build a sense of belonging and community as students advance from kindergarten through senior year.
We have a new Navigator to introduce for the 2025-26 school year. Meet all the Navigators and learn more about the initiative at Engage IRL.
Natalie Marhsall, North Central Feeder Pattern Engagement Navigator
SCHOOLS: Audubon, Finch, Garfield, Holmes, Logan, Stevens, Willard, Glover, Yasuhara, North Central
Where were you before you came into your current role?
My path has taken me through several roles supporting youth and families. As a proud graduate of Spokane Public Schools, this district has always been a part of my story. I began my career here as a Family Mental Health Therapist, providing counseling and emotional support directly in school buildings. I later served as a clinical supervisor at Frontier Behavioral Health, where I led a team delivering wraparound care for youth and families. Most recently, I worked as a Student Assistance Professional with SPS, leading prevention programming, wellness initiatives, and student support efforts until June 2025. In 2022, I also opened Elevated Vibrations Counseling, a private practice dedicated to serving Black, Indigenous, People of Color and marginalized communities with culturally affirming, trauma-informed care. I hold a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, and my work has always been grounded in equity, access, and belonging.
Why were you interested in being an Engagement Navigator for Spokane Public Schools?
This role brings together everything I care about: relationships, advocacy, and helping students feel like they belong. I have seen firsthand how powerful it is when young people are connected to things that give them energy and purpose. As Brené Brown says, "Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives."
As an Engagement Navigator, I support Spokane Public Schools’ Engage IRL initiative to help students unplug and connect with real-life activities like sports, clubs, the arts, and community organizations. Research and experience show that when students engage in extracurriculars, school attendance improves. Through this role, I help students and families build positive, lasting connections with their school and community. While my background is in mental health, this work is action-focused and community-centered—and allows me to help strengthen identity, confidence, and connection on a broader scale. That is what excites me most.
What were your extracurricular passions when you were a student, and how did those experiences shape who you are today?
I was an athlete. I played soccer, ran track, and was on the cheer team. Being part of a team taught me discipline, accountability, and how to show up for others. It also helped me stay grounded and feel connected to my school community in a positive way. Coming from a single-parent household, those activities gave me structure, encouragement, and a strong sense of belonging. Those early experiences are a big reason I care so deeply about helping today’s students access the same kinds of opportunities and connection.
What are you most excited about for the 2025–26 school year?
I am excited to dive deeper into my work as an Engagement Navigator and to continue building relationships with students, families, and school teams. I will be serving the North Central feeder pattern and am especially looking forward to collaborating with schools and the greater NC community to expand opportunities for students to connect, grow, and thrive. I cannot wait to help students explore their interests, discover what lights them up, and get involved in ways that keep them engaged—in both school and life. I am also really looking forward to experiencing Groovy Shoes and soaking in the spirit and pride that makes NC such a vibrant, connected community. This year feels full of possibility, and I am so grateful to be part of it.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your role in the community?
As part of Engage IRL, I help students and families connect with opportunities beyond the school day—including sports, clubs, STEM, arts, and cultural programs. My goal is to foster a sense of belonging by supporting engagement in meaningful, joyful ways. Alongside one-on-one support, I also focus on outreach, engagement, and community-building—bridging school and neighborhood spaces. Whether I am helping a student join a club or guiding a family toward resources, the heart of my work is the same: to uplift, empower, and remind people of their worth. I feel honored to do this work in the community that shaped me.