From the Voice of a Counselor: Yahaira Rodriguez on the Power of Kindness in Schools
Q&A with Yahaira Rodriguez
School Counselor, Plano West Senior High School
20 years in education
At the Live Like Knox Foundation, we believe kindness is more than a moment — it’s a movement. It’s a daily choice. It’s leadership. It’s courage.
We recently sat down with Plano West Senior High School school counselor Yahaira Rodriguez, who has spent two decades walking alongside students during some of the most formative years of their lives. Her perspective offers powerful insight into what kindness looks like in schools today — and why it matters more than ever.
What do you love most about serving students in your role?
High school is a time when students are discovering who they are — their strengths, interests, values, and goals. I feel incredibly privileged to walk alongside them as they navigate academic challenges, relationships, college and career decisions, and personal struggles.
Watching a student gain confidence, advocate for themselves, overcome a setback, or realize their potential is deeply rewarding.
When a student feels safe enough to open up about their dreams or challenges, that trust is an opportunity to truly make a difference. Sometimes that means helping them create a post-graduation plan. Sometimes it means supporting their mental health. And sometimes it means celebrating their success.
Most of all, I love helping students see possibilities they may not see in themselves.
From your perspective, what does kindness look like in a school setting today?
Kindness looks like inclusion.
It looks like:
- Inviting someone to sit at your table
- Partnering with someone new
- Standing up for a peer who is being left out
- Checking in on a friend who seems quieter than usual
- Offering help without being asked
It also looks like empathy.
Today’s students are navigating academic pressure, social media, family responsibilities, and mental health challenges.
Kindness means recognizing that everyone is carrying something we may not see. It’s giving grace when someone is having an off day and responding with understanding instead of judgment.
Why does kindness matter so much — especially in middle and high school?
Adolescence is when identity, confidence, and belonging are forming.
A single unkind moment can deeply impact self-esteem.
But a single act of kindness can change the entire trajectory of a student’s day — or even their school experience.
In middle school, kindness creates emotional safety and belonging. That belonging directly impacts academic engagement and mental health.
In high school, kindness builds resilience. When students experience compassion from peers and adults, they are more willing to:
- Take healthy risks
- Ask for help
- Bounce back from setbacks
Kindness strengthens courage.
Can you share a moment when you witnessed kindness make a real difference?
An eleventh-grade student had just arrived from another country. He was quiet, overwhelmed, and struggling to connect.
A small group of students noticed he was often alone.
Without being prompted, they invited him into their group projects, talked with him daily, and welcomed him to their lunch table.
What seemed small to them was life-changing to him.
Consistent, simple inclusion became a turning point. His confidence grew. His engagement improved. He found belonging.
That moment reinforced for me how powerful everyday kindness can be.
How does kindness impact overall school culture?
When kindness becomes the norm, psychological safety increases.
Students:
- Participate more freely
- Try new activities
- Ask questions
- Seek help
They are not afraid of embarrassment or judgment.
Kindness also strengthens relationships. Conflicts are less intense. Peer support increases. Trust grows — and trust builds a stronger community.
Beyond grades and achievements, what sets a student apart?
When writing recommendations, what stands out most is character and impact.
Qualities like:
- Leadership
- Compassion
- Responsibility
- Initiative
- Positive influence on the community
These reveal who a student is as a person — not just as a scholar.
How do empathy and inclusion shape student leadership?
Empathy allows leaders to understand the perspectives and challenges of their peers.
Leaders who listen and respond with compassion motivate others — not by authority, but by trust.
Inclusion ensures that everyone feels valued and heard. Inclusive leaders intentionally invite those who might otherwise be overlooked.
That kind of leadership reduces conflict and strengthens teams.
What advice would you give students who want to grow in character?
Be intentional.
- Notice how others feel.
- Look for ways to support them.
- Do the right thing — even when no one is watching.
- Serve your community.
Character is built in daily habits and small decisions.
What challenges do students face today when it comes to bullying?
Students are navigating:
- Social media pressure
- Fear of isolation
- Mental health struggles
- Pressure to “keep up”
- Constant online comparison
These pressures can amplify bullying and exclusion.
Building resilience, self-awareness, and positive peer interactions — alongside a culture that normalizes kindness — makes a significant difference.
What early signs should parents and educators watch for?
Early signs of social struggle may include:
- Withdrawal from peers
- Mood or behavior changes
- Avoidance of school
- Physical complaints without medical cause
- Decline in academic performance
- Changes in communication
- Negative coping mechanisms
Early intervention with empathy and open communication can help students regain confidence and connection.
How can students be part of the solution?
Students are part of the daily social environment where bullying happens — which means they are also part of the solution.
They can:
- Promote awareness
- Support peers in need
- Model positive behavior
- Reflect on their own actions
- Speak up
When students normalize kindness and accountability, bullying decreases not just because adults intervene — but because culture shifts.
What role does intentional kindness play in reducing bullying?
Bullying thrives where students feel disconnected or excluded.
Intentional kindness changes that.
It builds belonging.
It strengthens relationships.
It shifts social dynamics.
Kindness isn’t passive — it is protective.
In your opinion, what does it mean to “Live Like Knox”?
To live with purpose — not just for yourself, but for others.
To strive to bring out the best in the people around you.
If you could share one message with students about kindness, what would it be?
Your kindness is shown in the small choices you make every day.
And your kindness has the power to change someone’s world.
Strive to treat others with empathy, integrity, and respect — even when it’s hard.
At the Live Like Knox Foundation, we believe that legacy isn’t built in grand gestures — it’s built in everyday choices.
In invitations to sit together.
In standing up for someone.
In choosing empathy over judgment.
Kindness is culture.
Kindness is courage.
Kindness is leadership.
And when students choose it — they truly Live Like Knox.
