At Communities In Schools, we often think about the ways we support students, but sometimes the most powerful lessons we learn as adults come from them. Here are three things our students have taught us in 2025.
#1 Creativity can solve problems.
One of the 37 schools we serve, Rufus E. Payne Elementary, is where Ms. Harris thrives as a 3rd grade teacher. She loves watching students approach situations with fresh eyes. “They constantly remind me that problem-solving doesn’t always follow a straight line,” she shared.
As adults, we often get stuck in our routines. We forget that there are countless ways to tackle a challenge, and sometimes the most creative solutions require stepping outside the status quo, without the worry of looking different.
Communities In Schools students remind us to reconnect with our childlike curiosity and treat it as a strength, not a flaw. When something sparks our interest or amazes us, chances are someone else feels that same spark too.
#2 Asking for help is a strength.
For many adults, asking for help can feel intimidating. We’d often rather sit in confusion than risk appearing weak or unintelligent. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. At Communities In Schools of Jacksonville, we witness this every day in the growth our students experience when they ask a caring adult for support.
Our Director of Afterschool, Mr. Jones, says that when students put their trust in him and let their guard down to ask for help, it inspires him to do the same in his own life. “They make me realize that you don’t have to do everything on your own. People want to help,” Jones shared.
Maybe you’re a parent or guardian who needs resources for your family but feels hesitant to ask for assistance. Or maybe you’re stuck on a new task at work and don’t know where to begin. If our students could give you advice, they’d tell you to raise your hand and ask for help. It’s never as scary as it seems, and it might just be the first step toward success.
#3 Gratitude changes perspective.
Research has long shown that whatever the mind focuses on tends to expand. Of course, that’s easier said than done when someone is facing a difficult moment or stuck in problem-solving mode. But Communities In Schools students continue to amaze us with their outlook.
Just ask one of our AmeriCorps Literacy Tutors, Ms. Manns. She says seeing students eager to learn and appreciative of one-on-one support makes her even more committed to showing up for them. Many of the students we serve face serious challenges through no fault of their own; a parent suddenly losing a job, not having enough food at home, or lacking reliable transportation to school. These are just a few of the realities our case managers hear every day.
Ms. Manns sees firsthand the difference between students who practice gratitude and those who struggle to. “Gratitude is a superpower,” she said. “It reminds us that when we pause, breathe, and choose not to react immediately, we often find clarity, and even hope, on the other side.”
Communities In Schools of Jacksonville has transformed more than 111,000 students’ lives over the last 35 years. And there’s a reason as to why our staff retention rate is so high. Our students help shape us into our best selves.
We’re extremely grateful for the lessons we learned in 2025; the ones that made us better case managers, mentors, and overall people. As the holidays arrive, we invite you to pause and reflect on what you’ve learned from those around you (even the ones who may be a few feet shorter than you). You might be surprised by what their wisdom reveals.
Happy holidays everyone! Learn more about Communities In Schools of Jacksonville HERE.