School Social Workers Are a Beacon of Hope

by Rebecca K. Oliver, LMSW

     School social workers are a humble and hard working group of professionals. Throughout the school year, school social workers advocate for their students, for needed services, for positive school policies and climate, and for access and equity for all. Rarely will you see school social workers advocating for themselves, promoting their work, or highlighting their contributions in schools and school communities. However, School Social Work Week is the perfect opportunity for needed advocacy for the profession and raising public awareness about the vital role they provide in schools.   

     The week of March 1-7, 2020, marks the celebration of School Social Work Week. Under the leadership of the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), the premier national organization exclusively dedicated to the profession of school social work, this celebration will emphasize school social work contributions of focusing on the “whole child,” linking families to community resources, providing a valuable voice as part of the school’s multi-disciplinary team, and advocating for the profession of school social work. With the theme of "Beacon of Hope: School Social Workers – Lighting the Way,” social work professionals across the country will shine a light on their vital role in helping students meet the academic, social, and emotional challenges on the road to becoming successful and productive young adults.

     Historically, the lighthouse was a critical component of mariner life and contributed to the survival of early explorers. Certainly today, ships have computers, radios, radar, and satellite and navigation systems. Years ago, explorers and mariners were dependent on celestial navigation, using the moon and stars as directional tools along with a compass. Lighthouses have also been used for many years to light the way for explorers and sailors. Lighthouses offered a beacon of hope for seafaring travelers. In a similar fashion, school social workers offer a beacon of hope for students and families as they navigate school and face challenges in their academic and personal lives.

School Social Workers enhance the learning and success of students by focusing on the whole child and offering hope for a better tomorrow.

     School social workers promote the social and emotional development of students while addressing barriers to learning. Likewise, school social workers place high value on relationship building while empowering students and offering a voice for marginalized youth.

     Social work professionals value student self-determination and honor confidentiality while implementing multi-tiered programs and practices that address whole child needs.

School Social Workers offer hope and support students and their families by linking to school and community resources.

     School social workers promote a continuum of services, mobilize resources and promote assets, and link and coordinate community services for families in need. All the while, school social workers honor the family’s cultural identity and bring a strengths perspective and ecological perspective to working with students and families.

School Social Workers support the school community and fellow school professionals by contributing to a team approach.

     School social workers highly value the contributions of all school personnel: administrators, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, and all support staff. School social workers actively participate in team collaboration and problem-solving while advocating for student voice and promoting family involvement. School social workers offer a unique contribution to the school team as they facilitate engagement between student, family, school, and community. Likewise, social work professionals promote a positive school climate and culture conducive to student learning and teaching excellence.

School Social Workers make a difference in the lives of students, families, and school communities and make their voices heard through advocacy.

     School social workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work.  School social workers provide services related to a person’s social, emotional, and life adjustment to school and society while offering a link between home, school, and community. School social workers play a valuable role in the school setting, as they promote and support students’ academic and social success. 

School Social Workers are vital, valuable, and visible professionals contributing to the success of students! The profession of School Social Work has a rich history, offers current contributions, and has a bright future.

     Join us as we celebrate School Social Work Week 2020. Thank a school social worker.  Recognize a school social worker. Promote school social work.

#SSWweek2020 #BeaconofHope

Expand. Elevate. Engage.  www.sswaa.org

Rebecca K. Oliver, LMSW, is Executive Director of the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). Prior to her role as Executive Director, Oliver served on the SSWAA Board of Directors and was a leader in her home state of Texas, serving in various capacities. She spent more than 20 years in Round Rock ISD outside of Austin, serving students, families, and her community as a school social worker.

SSWAA is a professional membership organization aimed at empowering school social workers and promoting the profession. SSWAA assists school social workers as they work to expand their knowledge, elevate their practice, and engage with their profession.