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The more loving and caring adults there are in a child's life, the better.
That's the approach Michele Whaley takes in her job as a school social worker at Eleanor Skillen 34 School in Indianapolis.
“At school, I can provide someone who will listen without judgment and give you support, skills and perspective that you can then apply to other aspects of life,” she said.
And while his role can impact a student's life in many ways, it also impacted his own life. Whaley has been a school social worker for 15 years and was named Indiana School Social Worker of the Year in July by the Indiana School Social Work Association.
“At this point, it's an integral part of who I am,” she said of being a school social worker. “It has made me a better father to my 10-year-old son and, frankly, taught me how to be a father. “It has allowed me to see the impact that a supportive, confident and positive role model can have on a child's life, which drives me to continue this work despite how difficult it can be.”
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
What led you to become a school social worker?
I have to give most of the credit to Jane Zobel, who was the first school social worker I met. I took a job as a contract employee at an IPS school before receiving my Master's Degree in Social Work. While at that job, I was able to spend time seeing the work Jane did with students, families, and the community.
She was very loving and caring towards students, staff, families and the community. She provided a safe space for students to feel cared for and did a lot for the school community. She allowed me to see how much of a difference someone can make in a school environment where all students are seen and worked with.
It inspired me to return to finish my master's degree, and the rest is truly history.
What is a typical day like for you?
My days can vary greatly depending on the needs of the students and the school as a whole. My work spans the spectrum from full group instruction in education and character development (social/emotional learning) to individual services such as counseling and crisis support. On any given day, you could be teaching in a classroom, intervening with behavior, supporting a grieving student, providing food resources to a family, helping plan school events, or carrying out conflict resolution. Additionally, I am also a part of several leadership teams and community involvement opportunities. One of the best parts of the job is the variety.
School social work has a solid foundation in advocacy, justice, and respect for the voice of those with whom it works. For me, it is important to advocate and elevate the voices of students and families to ensure they have all the academic and non-academic support they need.
Conflict resolution and kindness are key to combating bullying because when children approach situations with kindness and resolve problems in a respectful manner, bullying behaviors are reduced.
What do you think is misunderstood about your role that you wish more people knew?
I think one of the most common misunderstandings from a community perspective is that all social workers are tied to the Department of Children's Services. Another is that people don't realize that school social workers are dually licensed professionals in the state of Indiana. I am licensed by the Indiana Department of Education and am a licensed clinical social worker, or LCSW, through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. Because of this, I am a trained mental health professional who can support students and families in many ways because many other mental health professionals in schools can only work with their clients and not the general school population.
What would you do more if time was not an object?
Honestly, if time wasn't an object, I would do more individual work for students, especially with older students. The work that can be done with children as they begin to enter adolescence is amazing. It is universally a difficult time because it is when we begin to navigate the world without as much help from our parents and guardians.
It's the beginning of us starting to figure out where we want to fit in the world and who we fit in with, and as social dynamics become more complex… it's a lot.
Therefore, it is rewarding to help students understand more about how their mental health, feelings, and coping skills function and can improve. I would also work harder to bring resources and community partners to the school if time were not a barrier.
What is the best advice you have received and how have you put it into practice?
I think the most important thing for me is to take time for yourself. A career in social work is very focused on helping others and can take an emotional toll. School social workers interact with emotionally deep and difficult topics daily, so knowing how to separate them or at least compartmentalize them is very important. Another important thing is to remember that you may never know the difference you are making in someone's life just by being there for them.
You spend your days trying to help others. How to relax after a stressful day?
Over the years, I have worked hard to practice what I preach and understand the coping skills that work for me. After an emotionally difficult day, I usually need to vent to someone who cares about me and I need to engage in physical activity like walking or doing some type of exercise. I keep a pretty solid boundary with work and don't bring work home, which also helps.
chalk beat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
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