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POMFRET — Rectory School announced that Donna Grant is now a full-time school counselor. Though she began with Rectory in January on a part-time basis, Grant will switch to full time in September, allowing her more hours not only to focus on students’ immediate needs, but also to increase student access to support.
Joining Rectory midyear, Grant quickly became acclimated to the community, and it wasn’t long before students started showing up at her office. “On a typical day, I get here at 7:30 a.m., and students are already waiting at the door,” she said. “They make their way in to say ‘good morning’ to the dogs as I unpack and get ready for the day. And then they head off to morning assembly.”
Grant tries to maintain an open-door policy. They also come to meet one of the standard poodle therapy dogs or bunnies that are always at her side. A lifelong lover of animals, Grant discovered their therapeutic benefits while working on her adolescent trauma certification.
Born and raised in Pomfret, where she raised her family, Grant has always lived within 3 miles of Rectory. She currently breeds and shows standard poodles, often selling puppies to families with a need for an emotional support dog. As a licensed clinical social worker, she also maintains a private therapy practice in Danielson. Before coming to Rectory, she served as the director of the Career Center at the Killingly High School, a role that involved a great deal of community outreach, as did her previous position as executive director of the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group, a social services agency for the towns of Thompson, Pomfret, and Woodstock. Early in her career, Grant also worked at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam in the emergency room and on labor and delivery but left to pursue social work after becoming disillusioned by the healthcare industry.
It was the chance to help people improve their lives that drew Grant to social work. “It really is about a hand up and not a handout.”
Reflecting upon her experience at the school thus far, Grant said it is the chance it has given her to work with students from such a broad range of backgrounds that excites her the most. “It’s the opportunity to delve into diversity, to talk about the tough stuff and have courageous conversations with kids and with adults. I’ve never really had an opportunity to work with such a diverse group of people because living in northeastern Connecticut, it’s just not here. I love the diversity. I find myself challenged in some of the conversations that I’m having with the kids. As much as I think I get it and as much as I have been an advocate for issues around diversity, equity and social justice, working here with these kids continues to challenge those ideals for me. It’s rewarding and it’s thought-provoking.”
And has she been able to connect with the students at Rectory in her short time as school counselor? “Yes, absolutely,” Grant said. “I love these kids.”
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