March 1 is Employee Appreciation Day! We are celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Jennifer Harvey, School Counselor, and the joy she feels when the students at our Sinking Spring campus walk across the stage at graduation! 

What is your favorite thing about working here?  

My favorite thing about working at River Rock Academy is working within a collaborative team environment and having a supportive director. Everyone has their own knowledge, and it is helpful to have different perspectives on difficult situations.  

What keeps you coming to work each day? 

I am motivated to come to work each day for the fulfillment of knowing that, as a social worker and school counselor, I encourage the students to believe in themselves. They need someone to rely on who is going to show up for them, which is what gets me to work every day.  

How do you make an impact on students’ lives? 

I encourage the students to believe there is a world of possibilities, not just setbacks. Our students in alternative education have had many individuals lose hope in them, and some have lost hope in themselves. My goal is for them to realize they are more than their faults and help them to accomplish whatever goals they have for themselves.  

Last year, we rolled out our BetterTogether guiding principles. Which one of our values resonates with you most personally and why? (Integrity, Accountable, Collaborative, Inclusive, Supportive) 

Supportive. I feel that our work begins and ends with creating meaningful relationships with each other and the students. I learn something new every day from my students and hopefully they learn something from me, even though they may not realize it at the time.  

What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?  

As a counselor in alternative education, every day is different. First thing in the morning, I complete female check in and greet all the students entering the building.  The rest of the day can vary from individual sessions, groups, social skills class, intakes, review meetings, crisis response, and finally dismissal. Two to three days a week, I also bring my certified therapy dog, Harper, to work with me as well.  

Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?  

I have been working with the adolescent population for 15 years. While working at Bethany Children’s Home, I collaborated with River Rock Academy for youth and built relationships with the staff.  When there was a Life Skills and Social Skills teaching position available, I didn’t hesitate to apply. After a year, I moved into the counseling position, which was five years ago.  

What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?  

Every year, graduation is my favorite day of the school year. It is such an exciting experience to see a student, that others may not have believed in or had given up on, walk across the stage and accomplish such a huge milestone.  

What is something about you that not many people know?  

I received my undergraduate degree in special education from the College of Charleston in South Carolina and lived there for eight years.