In this episode of Counselor Chat, I celebrate the powerful connection between National School Counseling Week and World Read Aloud Day, and why stories play such a meaningful role in student success.

I share how read-alouds create emotional safety, help students name their feelings, and open doors for conversations that might otherwise feel too hard to start. I also read an excerpt from my children’s book, Sammy’s Sad Day, and walked through simple, practical ways counselors can use storytelling as a Tier 1 support in classrooms, small groups, and beyond.

This episode is a reminder that success isn’t just measured in data — it’s felt in connection.

In This Episode, I Talk About:

1. Why student success starts with emotional safety, not just academics
2. How stories create shared emotional language for students
3. Why read-alouds work so well as low-pressure counseling tools
4. Using books as Tier 1 support for whole-class and school-wide impact
5. Simple reflection questions that build emotional literacy
6. How connection changes behavior and learning outcomes

“You amplify student success when a student feels seen, a teacher uses language you modeled, and a child realizes they’re not alone.

Links Mentioned

Sammy's Sad Day

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