Rotary Clubs of Nash County Donates SEL Journals to Support Nash County Public Schools Counselors and Students
NASHVILLE, N.C. — The Rotary Clubs of Nash County will present Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Journals to all Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) middle and high school students on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 9:30 a.m. at Red Oak Middle School. This initiative, organized by Executive Director of Career and Technical Education at NCPS, Chad Thompson and members of the Rotary Clubs of Nash County, aims to enhance student mental health resources across the district.
The SEL journals, valued at $8,000, were created by mental health advocate and developer Gregor Baum. Funding was provided by the Red Oak Area Rotary, Rocky Mount Rotary, and Nash-Rocky Mount Rotary clubs to support the emotional and behavioral well-being of students.
Baum, originally from Frankfurt, Germany, came to the United States on a tennis scholarship to North Carolina Wesleyan University. A career-ending back injury led him into a period of deep depression. With support from a compassionate school counselor, Baum embraced new interests and founded a Rotaract Club at Wesleyan focused on mental health. Collaborating with his team and counselor, he co-created a journal to support student well-being, which has since been implemented in schools nationwide. This success inspired the founding of GH Inner Performance, a company dedicated to promoting mental health and inner well-being.
“The SEL Journal is not just a book; it’s a tool for self-reflection, resilience, and growth,” Baum said. “Our goal is to give students a safe space to understand and embrace their emotions. I’m grateful to the Red Oak Rotary Club for championing this cause and to Nash County Public Schools for welcoming our vision to support student mental health.”
Thompson emphasized the Rotary Club’s commitment to this cause. “Our Rotary Clubs are committed to supporting mental health in our community, and these SEL journals are a step toward that goal,” Thompson said. “We’re excited to see how counselors will use them to help students thrive in and out of school.”
For NCPS, the donation aligns with the district’s broader Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives. “The SEL journals are valuable in helping students build essential skills like emotional regulation, self-awareness, empathy and problem-solving,” said Jeannie Kerr, Project AWARE director. “These skills can help students overcome challenges, succeed academically and develop into responsible, successful adults.”
These journals will be distributed to all NCPS middle and high school students, furthering the district’s commitment to embedding Social Emotional Learning into its educational programs. By providing resources that encourage self-reflection and emotional understanding, NCPS aims to empower students with the tools they need to succeed both personally and academically.