Do you practice gratitude as a school counselor? Purposefully taking time to express thanks and appreciation for others as well as yourself can have a big impact. Check out what Gretchen and Rebecca do to practice gratitude.
Recognize Others
I like to write notes to staff members and parents when they have done something to support the school counseling program or one of my students. It feels good to be noticed.
I’m also a big fan of Staff Shout Outs at meetings. Appreciating each other keeps us connected and lifts morale when work gets hard.
I also like to thank students for the great things they do. We often only notice students when they are doing the wrong thing or simply complying. When we notice the extra, kind things they do, it makes everyone feel more positive.
The more I appreciate and thank others, the more gratitude I feel towards my role as a school counselor. Now that I work in central office, I write notes to the school counselors I work with. It makes my day when I see my notes tucked in their planners or up in their offices.
Whole School Gratitude
As a Positivity Project partner school, gratitude is one of twenty-four character strengths that is explicitly taught to students. I emphasize the strengths in my discussions and lessons with students. It’s amazing how frequently gratitude can be slipped into a counseling group or classroom lesson.
One of my favorite gratitude lessons ever was when I partnered with an intermediate teacher and students made gratitude trees by collaging scrapbook paper. Students wrote on the trees various things that they felt grateful for, and it was incredible to see what students shared.
Additionally, I like to write positive notes to students to show students that I “caught” them doing something positive, and it’s a chance to express my gratitude for them. It brightens their day to receive these little notes, and it helps me keep myself grounded in gratitude as I’m always looking for positives!
How do you practice gratitude as a school counselor?
Check out tips for how to repurpose a gratitude tree.
