Each year during National School Counselor Week we get a special opportunity to celebrate our profession, advocate for the work we do, and amplify student success throughout our school community.
National School Counselor Week is not only about appreciation — it’s about raising awareness of how school counselors support academic achievement, social, personal and emotional learning, and future readiness every day.
Mindful Moments & Staff Self Care Support
One tradition we love is encouraging mindful moments for staff and teachers. I set up a relaxation station in the teacher workroom where staff can take a quick break, enjoy soothing sounds, mindfulness activities, or a small treat, and refocus during a busy day.
Simple self-care reminders like dabbing a bit of essential oil on a cotton pad or having calming music available can help teachers stay centered — and model self-regulation for students later.
Each day this week, you might also find mindful treats or sensory resources with signs explaining how they benefit your well-being — because taking care of yourself helps you take care of others.
You can get the entire packet of signs and activities here!
During my first year working in an elementary school, I reached out to a local restaurant to see if they would be willing to donate chicken noodle soup for our staff—and they said yes! In fact, the donation was so generous that we enjoyed soup for an entire week.
I set up the teacher lounge with large pots of soup and added a simple touch: a stack of old People magazines I already had on hand. Teachers were invited to sit back, relax, and take a few minutes to decompress during their breaks.
To this day, that National School Counselor Week stands out as one of my favorites. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the best part? It didn’t cost a thing. It was a simple reminder that thoughtful, low-cost gestures can make a big impact on staff morale.
Another idea I love is partnering with community connections. One year, a friend of mine who owns Barre11 in Murfreesboro, TN generously offered to teach a free barre class for teachers. It was a fun way to move, laugh, and connect—though we definitely spent the next few days talking about our sore legs!
I’ve also led yoga classes for teachers, which has been a great way to prioritize movement and self-care together. Taking time to stretch, breathe, and slow down as a group reminds us how important it is to care for ourselves so we can better care for our students.
School Announcements & Trivia
One of my favorite ways to build excitement during National School Counselor Week is by using trivia and contests to involve both teachers and students.
I started doing this back in 2014, and it’s become a tradition I return to year after year. The questions often focus on the school counselor’s role, fun facts about the program, or the week’s theme. For example, when the theme was “Reach for the Stars,” I tied the trivia questions to stars and space. It’s a simple, interactive way to spark curiosity, build awareness, and get the whole school community involved.
The questions often focus on the school counselor’s role, fun facts about the program, or the week’s theme. For example, when the theme was “Reach for the Stars,” I tied the trivia questions to stars and space. It’s a simple, interactive way to spark curiosity, build awareness, and get the whole school community involved.
Classes could email or submit their answers, and I would share the correct responses and either award a classroom book or enter classes into a prize drawing. Many of the books came from Scholastic Book Club, and one year teachers were entered into a drawing for a TPT gift card—which was a big hit!
The trivia questions were a fun way to teach students and staff more about the counseling program while keeping everyone engaged. Sample questions included:
- What three areas does a school counselor help with?
(Social-emotional, academic, and career) - What is something a school counselor does not do?
(For example: discipline students) - What does confidentiality mean?
- What are the names of your counselor’s dog(s)?
- What is a favorite book you’ve read with your counselor this year?
- What do you think it means to be “all in”?
- True or False: School counselors only help some students.
(False! We are all in for all students.) - True or False: School counselors work with students individually, in groups, and in classrooms. (Answer: True)
Looking for trivia examples?
You can get my trivia examples right here.
These questions sparked great conversations and helped build understanding of the counselor’s role in a fun, approachable way.
Another fun way to promote awareness is through daily morning announcements. Share short facts about what school counselors do, highlight the week’s theme, and invite participation.
Looking for sample trivia questions and announcements? Here’s what I’m doing:
School Counseling Newsletter
National School Counselor Week is also a great opportunity to share more about the role of the school counselor and the counseling program with families and staff.
Sending out a short newsletter during the week can help explain how school counseling supports students academically, socially, and emotionally, highlight current lessons or groups, and share simple ways families and teachers can reinforce these skills at home and in the classroom.
Clear communication builds understanding, strengthens partnerships, and helps ensure that everyone knows how the counseling program works to support student success.
National School Counselor Week can feel like a delicate balance—I value sharing meaningful data and highlights from our program, while also being mindful not to come across as self-promotional. To strike that balance, I use my newsletter to provide teachers with information about the school counselor’s role, along with the history and purpose of school counseling and National School Counselor Week, helping build understanding and awareness of the work we do.
Looking for a newsletter?
You can get my FREEBIE editable newsletter right here.
Looking for trivia examples? You can get my trivia examples right here.
Classroom Connections
Counselors can also partner with teachers to bring the strategies they’ve been teaching into the classroom. For example:
- School counseling-themed bingo challenges where teachers complete support actions (like playing a regulation song or leading a class meeting) and earn a chance for a prize.
Staff Thank You’s
I also love taking time during this week to say thank you to our teachers. School counseling is truly a team effort, and without strong partnerships with teachers, our work would not be possible. If you’re interested, you can find a list of teacher thank-you ideas here.
That said, it’s important to consider your school’s culture. One year, my principal asked that we approach this differently, noting that teachers already have Teacher Appreciation Week and encouraging us to celebrate in other ways. Because of this, I recommend checking in with your administrator or school counseling advisory board to make sure your plans align with school expectations and priorities.
Celebrating You!
Whether you’re a counselor, teacher, administrator, or support staff, this week is also about recognizing the collective effort it takes to help students succeed. Small tokens of appreciation — from classroom library books and “thank you” notes to fun staff room treats — remind us that we’re all part of a team helping students grow.
Read more about my past NSCW weeks in these archives:
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