March was National Social Work Month! 170 social workers work daily in our schools to support students so that they can do their best in school. What’s it like to be a DCPS social worker? How are your children affected by their presence? Read on to hear about the experiences of a few of our social workers.
LaVaughn Turner
Eastern High School
A Typical Day
I see a few dozen students a week and I wear lots of hats - special education social worker, homeless liaison, teen parent coordinator, 504 (compliance with law for students with disabilities) coordinator, crisis intervention specialist, mentoring program co-director, home visitor, etc. My job is to remove any barriers that may prevent students from coming to school and being successful. For teen parents this may include helping them connect to community agencies that can provide them with day care vouchers so they can come to school knowing their children are cared for. I may need to help a homeless student with ensuring they have a clean uniform to wear. I may just need to speak with a child who is having a difficult day. They are all equally important to me.
My Path
My father was a social worker and my mom worked in DCPS in Head Start. I saw and understood their work. I’ve always like mentoring, teaching, and advocating for teens. That’s why school social work is the perfect avenue for me. I’ve worked in mental health, prisons, and foster care, but I’ve been a DCPS Social Worker the longest. I’ve been here for the last 10 years.
Why I’m Here
My proudest moment was when I was identified for being a top motivator. Motivation is my number one intent—to help these children know they can achieve anything they put their minds to. I tell them, “I see you. I recognize you. I believe in you.” Social work doesn’t end when we sign out. Sometime I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of kids, their needs, and how I can help them. It’s difficult to shut off the switch. It’s a lifestyle, and I’m up for the task.
Henrietta Bush-Sawyer
Roosevelt High School
A Typical Day
I see students and address whatever issues are coming up, while also touching base with teachers in the classroom. For example, recently I worked with two students who were having challenges and met with the teachers and case manager. It’s a lot of teamwork and everyone pulling together. But guess what? We were meeting with one student and he didn’t seem to understand the solutions we were presenting. After the meeting, he walked away. Then he paused. Then he came back. You could see that he saw light at the end of the tunnel and that’s why he came back. That’s why we do what we do.
My Path
I was born to be a social worker. I knew in the 7th grade. I always wanted to help people, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve been at Roosevelt for 4 years now and other DCPS schools before that. I have a great team here. We love what we do and we share the common purpose that it’s not about the adults—it’s about making a difference for the kids. It’s always about the kids. If you make a difference for one person, you’ve impacted generations.
Why I’m Here
One example: I’ve been working a student who didn’t think he would be graduating. He used to not even come to school. Now he’s on track to graduate. He has seen how much we invest and attend to him, both during and after school. We work together on the emotions and behaviors, and he sees that everyone is willing to give them of themselves.
We have kids who want to learn but because they have emotional baggage, they can’t. They need a place to process and have resources to be available and once they address the emotional stuff it makes them more available academically. We make sure they have a vision for themselves. I’m thinking about our students over the long term. I honestly can’t wait to see what some of these students are going to do. It’s going to be amazing. It will make a difference to generations yet unborn.
George Omeir
Smothers ES
A Typical Day
In any given week I see 20-30 students. I work with students and keep relationships with parents and the neighbors. I’m a resource for the community. In any given week, I see students dealing with anger management, abuse, foster care, homelessness, or an oldest sibling taking care of younger siblings—a lot of kids in roles of responsibility. I can’t take it home with me or I’ll feel overwhelmed. What may be helpful is that I come from a similar background – I lived in a low-income neighborhood in Brooklyn, with a single mom. I was the oldest taking care of two younger siblings.
I understand the environment. I impress upon our students that the world is bigger than where they are. I try to show them that what you’re doing now is going to open doors to opportunities.
My Path
It’s been 14 years at DCPS. At first I was a 4th grade teacher. I taught for a few years, but I saw what social workers did. So I went back to grad school and became one. I appreciate the ability to work on one to get to know students on a personal level. To be honest, the very first year I taught, I told myself I would never work with students again because it had been a real rough year. Then, on the last day of school, the students threw me a surprise Father’s Day party. I was really taken aback. It taught me that despite what it may look like, I have an impact on students. That’s why I came back.
Why I’m Here
My job is to be a person who helps, is safe, and is easy to talk to. We make sure students are available to learn. If you’re emotionally upset, even as adults, you’re not going to be productive. It’s rewarding to see a student grow over time. You see students who don’t have the ability to control their anger developing coping skills over time. I try to help a child work through a problem at home or in class. It could be a small thing I say or do or it can be very big. There’s always something new. I feel like I’m just tapping into what I can do with the profession.
Paula Crivelli-Diamond
Columbia Heights EC
A Typical Day
There’s juggling a lot of tasks. Sometimes crises. Prevention work, abuse, depression, neglect, displaced students. Other times, a child needs clothing. I lead the team, I see who is getting support and services, and making sure our database reflects all that work. We’re also trying to be innovative and grow and expand by partnering with other community organizations.
My Path
I had been taking psychology classes in college until someone told me I would be better as a social worker than a psychologist. I’ve worked in community mental health, and I wanted to work with students. I was especially interested in a diverse student body, specifically immigrant families. I’m a first-generation American myself, and I grew up speaking Spanish.
Why I’m Here
I love the students and my colleagues and my boss. It’s amazing—sometimes you’ll work with a student starting in the 9th grade and give them support for the years they’re here. They’ll go from being a student that you’re afraid was going to join a gang, or drop out of school, to becoming a successful academic student who can manage stress and very complex situations at home. Our students are so resilient. They still make it through really difficult situations.
One example: I had advocated for an Ethiopian student who had been living at a homeless shelter. She was getting pulled out of school to interpret for her mother as she sought housing. So we helped get interpreters and other supports so that this student could stay in school. She went from failing in school to the honor roll. She’s a senior but also taking a college course at UDC!
They’re why I keep doing what I do.