As the holiday season unfolds, Thanksgiving invites us to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the moments and connections that shape our lives. It’s a time to savor the present, honor the abundance we share, and consider ways to give back to the communities that nurture us.

This year, we’re thrilled to highlight Riki Rattner, a beacon of philanthropy and wellness through her work with BeWell In School. During this Thanksgiving week, we’ll dive into the heart of her mission to cultivate holistic well-being and inspire meaningful reflection on what each of us needs to be well.

In the spirit of Giving Tuesday—a global movement to unleash the power of generosity—Riki’s approach reminds us how interconnected gratitude and giving truly are. Join us as we explore her journey, insights, and practical ways to carry the essence of Thanksgiving forward into the year ahead.

Join us as we celebrate gratitude, community, and the profound impact of giving back with our beloved Hola teacher, Riki Rattner and her pioneering work.

The Journey to BeWell

Before becoming a school teacher, Riki spent a brief time working within the juvenile division of the public defender’s office and these early experiences had a profound impact on the way she approached student behavior. Riki understood that the criminal justice and education systems fail the community in similar ways. She became passionate about interrupting the school to prison pipeline for her students. At the same time, she was confronting her own mental health needs and due to thee stress experienced by many educators. During this time, Riki leaned on her yoga practice and found ways to share these same tools with her students in accessible, inclusive, and intentional ways.

After Riki’s first year teaching 4th grade, she went to Bali for an immersive and intensive Hatha-Vinyasa 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training in 2017. She discovered all the ways that movement, breath work, and meditation impact the central nervous system. She left her training inspired to incorporate mindfulness practices into her classroom and into her one-on-one work with students. The results were illuminating. She watched her students learn to self-regulate, attend to their emotional needs, and redirect their behaviors. This ultimately inspired Riki to start a program with broader reach that included not just the students, but the entire school ecosystem; teachers, administrators, and parents. She knew that mental health needs don’t discriminate and everyone needs spaces and strategies that support them in feeling safe, seen, and heard. BeWell is rooted in strategies Riki herself needed when she was a kid. Watch this video to hear directly from students in BeWell in School’s Pilot Program and visit BeWell’s mission on our website.

A Practice for Cultivating Gratitude

Riki loves journaling and recommends keeping a gratitude journal. This is a simple and powerful practice.

Gratitude Journal Tips

Start your morning and/or end your day with a gratitude journal. Take note of the people, places, and things that brighten your life and bring joy to your days. Get into the details if you can and notice how you and your body and breath feel when you consciously tap into gratitude.
Take it a step further and share your gratitude. Write a note or reach out to someone that you are grateful for and tell them exactly why you appreciate them.
Make sure something about YOU is on your gratitude list <3

Reflecting on Our Needs for Wellbeing

Growing up is a time of development, discovery, and connection, but it can also bring its fair share of challenges. Along the way, certain moments, people, and resources stand out for the ways they supported our well-being and helped us thrive. From the guidance of a compassionate teacher to the comfort of a peaceful routine, these experiences shape our ability to BeWell during our educational journey. As we reflect on gratitude this season, we can celebrate the elements that nurtured our wellness and made school a more enriching and balanced experience. For Riki, talk therapy in high school, the support of her family, and her yoga practice were tools she leaned on to be well in school. Wisely, she also credits the hard and hurtful experiences in her life — these moments helped her, and continue to help, connect her with herself and her students on a deeper level. As they say, the depths of our lows determine the depths of our highs. For many of us, we discovered these tools and strategies for wellbeing later in life and we lament the opportunity to have learned them sooner. What helped you be well in school? What tools do you now rely on that you wish your younger self had access to?

How can the community support BeWell for Giving Tuesday?

BeWell in School has an End-of-Year Giving goal to raise $100K by December 31st. This funding ensures they can continue to support over 1,000 students and 150 educators in Nashville while continuing to grow their reach in the 2025-26 school year. Every donation of any size makes a difference. If you believe in the power of mindful breath and movement as a tool to be well, consider making a donation. Watch this video to hear directly from students in BeWell’s Pilot Program.