Stockton- At Lincoln High School in Stockton, California, one counselor stands out in a way that’s hard to explain unless you’ve met her, Kelly Jensen. She’s someone who’s made a huge impact on so many students’ lives, including mine. She’s not just a counselor who gives advice and schedules classes. She’s someone who really listens, who really cares, and who always shows up for her students.
She motivates, supports, and helps us believe in ourselves even when we’re struggling to do that on our own. What makes Ms. Jensen even more inspiring is that she’s a runner. She’s been running since she was 20 years old, and now she has this cool goal with her friend to run in all 50 states. So far, she’s done 15, which is already super impressive.
But for her, running isn’t just about staying in shape. It’s more like a way of thinking—a way to deal with life. She sees it as a reminder to keep going, even when things are hard. You set a goal, you train, you have good days and bad days, but you don’t give up. That’s how she sees life, too. And honestly, that’s how she treats us as her students. She’s always pushing us to keep going, even when life gets tough.
Whether someone is struggling with school, dealing with something at home, or just feeling lost, she’s there. She takes time to get to know us and understand what we’re going through. She doesn’t just give you a quick answer or send you on your way. She wants to help you figure it out. She wants you to grow.
Before she started working at Lincoln, she was a probation officer for five years. She once said she liked the job, but she felt pulled in another direction; she wanted to be the person helping people before they got in trouble. She wanted to guide people early on, to help them make better choices before it was too late. That says a lot about who she is. She doesn’t just react to problems—she works to prevent them. She believes in giving people a real chance.
Since 2005, she’s been doing just that at Lincoln High. She’s been here helping students for almost 20 years, and during that time, she’s made a difference in so many lives. I’ve personally been through times when I felt stuck, unsure of what to do, or overwhelmed by everything going on, and she was always there. Not to tell me what to do, but to help me figure it out for myself and remind me that I was capable.
Ms. Jensen is all about focusing on your personal best. She tells us not to compare ourselves to others, but to try to be better than we were yesterday. That mindset changes the way you think. Instead of feeling like you’re not good enough, you start seeing how far you’ve come. She helps us see that progress matters more than perfection.
She’s not just someone who tells people to do their best—she lives it. You can see it in the way she runs, the way she works, and the way she shows up for everyone around her. Her energy is real. Her dedication is real. And her heart? That’s probably the biggest thing of all. She genuinely cares about us.
What I think makes her special is how much she loves seeing people grow. You can see it in her eyes when a student who used to doubt themselves finally feels confident, or when someone who thought they might not graduate finally walks across that stage. She’s there for the highs and the lows, cheering you on, encouraging you, and reminding you that you’re stronger than you think.
Kelly Jensen might be running in all 50 states. Still, she’s already gone the distance differently by showing up for students daily, believing in us when we don’t believe in ourselves, and helping us see that we can achieve more than we ever thought possible. She’s more than a counselor. She’s a coach, a role model, and for many of us, a lifeline.
