By: Jenny Chapple, M.Ed, Lead Secondary School Counselor
In the work of a school counselor, no two days are ever quite the same. Each day brings a unique blend of student needs, staff collaboration, and moments that call for both compassion and clarity. As a lead secondary counselor and a facilitator of Sources of Strength, I have come to understand that one of the most grounding and transformative practices I can bring into my daily work is gratitude. Gratitude, at its core, is not simply about acknowledging what is going well; it is about intentionally recognizing the value in people, moments, and efforts, even when circumstances are difficult. Recently, our school community has faced significant challenges. We have experienced loss, and with that loss has come grief, uncertainty, and a need for collective healing. In times like these, gratitude may feel distant or even difficult to access. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that it becomes most essential.
Through my role, I see firsthand how gratitude can shift the emotional climate of a building. When I greet students each morning, I make a conscious effort to be present and appreciative of the opportunity to connect, even if the interaction is brief. When a student shares something vulnerable, I express genuine appreciation for their courage. When colleagues collaborate to support a struggling student, I recognize and affirm their commitment. These small, intentional acts help foster a culture where individuals feel seen, valued, and supported. As a facilitator of Sources of Strength, I am reminded that resilience is not something we build in isolation. It grows through connection, hope, and shared experiences, and gratitude plays a key role in strengthening these protective factors. By encouraging students to identify what they are thankful for, trusted adults, supportive peers, and personal strengths, we help them build a lens that does not ignore hardship, but instead acknowledges that even in the presence of difficulty, there are sources of support and light.
Our community’s recent hardships have underscored an important truth: through loss, we come to understand our resilience. I have witnessed students show kindness to one another in profound ways. I have seen staff step forward with unwavering dedication. I have observed families and community members come together to support one another. These moments are not incidental. They are reflections of strength, and they deserve to be named and appreciated. Practicing gratitude does not diminish grief; rather, it creates space alongside it. It allows us to honor what we have lost while also recognizing what remains and what continues to grow. In my daily work, this means holding both realities at once, supporting students through their pain while also helping them identify their inner strengths and external supports.
As we move forward as a school community, gratitude will continue to be a guiding principle in my work. It is a practice that fosters connection, reinforces resilience, and reminds us that even in our most difficult moments, we are not alone. Through loss, we have come to know our resilience, and through gratitude, we continue to strengthen it. I encourage you to join me in making gratitude a guiding principle in your life. It’s a practice that doesn’t cost a thing and that anyone can begin. Whether it’s taking a moment each day to write down a few things you’re grateful for, expressing appreciation to someone around you or looking through photos of moments that make you happy, over time, I believe you will see how these small intentional acts will begin to shift your perspective and boost your mental and emotional health, even in challenging times.