When Is School Counselor Week and Why It Deserves More Attention

There’s a week every year when we get the chance to pause and celebrate the people quietly making a difference in the lives of our students. You may be wondering: When is School Counselor Week, and why does it matter?

National School Counseling Week is observed each year during the first full week of February. It’s more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a time to recognize the dedication, hard work, and quiet impact school counselors have in schools every single day.

What Happens During School Counselor Week?

This special week is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). The goal is simple: to bring attention to the unique contribution school counselors make in schools and to highlight the tremendous impact they can have on student academic success and well-being.

During School Counselor Week, schools often plan events to celebrate and thank their counselors, things like appreciation breakfasts, handwritten notes from students, or even a simple shoutout in the school newsletter. And while those gestures are heartwarming, they’re not the reason we do this work. They are reminders that what we do matters, even when it goes unseen.

As someone who has walked the halls as a counselor, trained new professionals, and now supports them through coaching and consultation, I can tell you: no two days are ever the same. The job is full of challenges, heartbreaks, and quiet victories that rarely make headlines. But during this week, we get to shine a small spotlight on all of it.

Why Recognition Matters

School counselors are often mistaken for guidance counselors or boxed into administrative roles that don’t reflect the true scope of their work. We’re mental health professionals. We address crisis situations. We help students manage grief, anxiety, trauma, and transitions. We partner with teachers, parents, and administrators to create school environments where kids feel seen, safe, and supported.

Recognizing School Counselor Week helps correct those misconceptions. It opens conversations about what counselors really do, and why their role is essential in modern education.

A Chance to Educate and Advocate

School counselors support entire systems. From designing school-wide social emotional learning initiatives to leading trauma-informed practices for educators, our reach extends far beyond a single office.

That’s why School Counselor Week isn’t just a celebration. It’s a chance to advocate for the role. To talk to school boards, parents, and policymakers about the importance of mental health professionals in schools. To push for lower caseloads, better funding, and comprehensive training that equips counselors to serve their communities with compassion and skill.

As a school counselor, coach, and mentor, I often hear professionals say, “I don’t need recognition, I just want to do my job well.” And while that’s true, public support fuels the systems that allow us to keep doing this meaningful work. It helps shift the culture so that emotional well-being is valued as highly as academics.

Let’s Make It Personal

So, when is School Counselor Week? It’s in February. But the impact of school counselors lasts far beyond one week. It shows up in the student who finally feels safe enough to speak up. In the family that finds hope again after loss. In the teacher who gets the support they need to manage a classroom full of hurting kids.

As someone who has lived and breathed this profession for decades, I believe that the heart of school counseling is quiet service. But a little spotlight now and then helps the world see what we already know, that this work matters.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a fellow counselor, a teacher, a parent, or a student, School Counselor Week is a reminder of the power of presence. Of being there when someone needs you most. Of showing up with kindness, listening without judgment, and advocating even when it’s hard.

If you know a school counselor, take a moment next February or anytime to say thank you. If you are a school counselor, allow yourself to receive that gratitude. And if you’re someone like me, who’s walked this road and now works to guide others through it, use this week to renew your commitment to the work, the students, and the calling that brought you here in the first place.