From the Desk of Ann Steenwyk: Gratitude

Dear SCS Community, 

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful” Colossians 3:15

This week I was honored to get a note from a student thanking me for what I do for SCS. This signed note quickly found its place on my bulletin board where I can see it each day.  Gratitude is a virtue that is an important part of development and needs to be taught.  A new report based on the Cardus Education Survey (CES), The Measure of Thanks: Connecting Schooling, Gratitude, and Life Outcomes, looked at the levels of gratitude reported by nearly 2,400 adults aged 24–39 and determined that habits such as gratitude formed during the K–12 years shape how they live their lives as adults.  Students coming from faith-based schools and faith-based homes showed higher levels of gratitude compared to public schools and nonreligious homes.

If gratitude is not just a personality trait, how is a heart of gratitude formed? It is formed in and by communities (like SCS), practices (in and outside of the classroom), and ways of seeing the world (from a Christian perspective) that are cultivated over time.  I’m so thankful SCS works hard to use Christian worldview to shape hearts of gratitude in our students.  Stay tuned for my next post to see how hearts of gratitude shape lives after the school years.

With Gratitude,

Ann Steenwyk
Head of School

Swaner, L. (2026). The Quiet Power of Gratitude: What New Data Tells Us About School, Formation, and Flourishing, Center for the Advancement of Christian Education, https://cace.org/the-quiet-power-of-gratitude-what-new-data-tell-us-about-schools-formation-and-flourishing/