National School Social Work Week 2024

March 3-9 is National School Social Work Week, a week dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the important work school social workers do for students and families.

At Lincoln Public Schools, we have 45 school social workers who strive to build relationships with students, families and staff to identify the best possible solutions. Whether it be making sure students have mental health supports during challenging times, connecting families to assistance for food, clothing or housing needs, or collaborating with parents, teachers, staff and community providers around individual student needs while at school, our social workers are dedicated to the success of students and families.

We asked a few of our school social workers about their careers, what motivates them and what they'd like people to know about their work.

Lorie Fink, Lakeview Elementary and Schoo Middle School

Where did you attend college?

Nebraska Wesleyan, UNO, College of Notre Dame of Maryland

What made you want to become a school social worker?

I worked with youth and families as a social worker for 15 years and then I was a special education teacher for 24 years. I returned to school social work because I wanted to be able to work with students and their families, one-on-one, to provide them with support/resources that they need for their students to be successful in and out of school.

What is something people may not know about school social work?

No day is ever the same, and while each day can present new challenges, it is one of the most rewarding jobs a person can have.

What is your favorite part of your job - what is your "why"?

My favorite part of the job is developing relationships with students and parents and seeing the growth as the students learn skills and strategies to help them be successful.

Ashley Adams, Goodrich Middle School

Where did you attend college?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska-Omaha

What made you want to become a school social worker?

I love connecting with people! I thought being a school social worker would be a great opportunity to work with many different types of kids, situations and challenges. I really enjoy having variety in my life and school social work gives me that on a daily basis!

What is something people may not know about school social work?

People may not know that school social workers are licensed mental health practitioners.

What is your favorite part of your job - what is your "why"?

There are a lot of favorites I could mention but one of them is seeing student growth. Whether that be academically, socially, emotionally or mentally. Watching students gain the confidence to reach their goals and realize their potential is definitely rewarding!

Tami Rembolt, Lincoln East High School

Where did you attend college?

University of Kansas - BSW, University of Nebraska-Omaha - MSW

What made you want to become a school social worker?

Somehow, I've known I wanted to be a social worker since I was in elementary school. I have no idea how I even knew what a social worker was back then, but I knew I wanted to help people. I remember getting in trouble in kindergarten for helping my classmates first before worrying about what I was supposed to be doing. It's something that just was innate within me and brings me joy.

What is something people may not know about school social work?

I don't think people realize how broad our scope of practice is and all the areas our education trains us about. Especially working within a school, we have to be ready to jump into all kinds of different situations with an expertise and we do that well because our education prepares us for that.

What is your favorite part of your job - what is your "why"?

I love the relationships I get to build with students and families. This year, I will be watching a group of students graduate from high school that I've known and supported since they were in elementary school. It is so rewarding watching these students grow into young adults and be successful.

Mandy Berlin Coyle, Lincoln Northeast High School

Where did you attend college?

Morningside College - undergraduate, University of Iowa School of Social Work

What made you want to become a school social worker?

I originally wanted to be a school counselor, but when I discovered the role of school social work it fit much better. School is such a fabulous place to prepare children to be responsible, healthy, dynamic citizens of our communities. I wanted to provide emotional regulation skills and mental health to students so that they can make the most of all that school teaches them. I like working with individual students, their families and improving systems. Specifically, I intentionally chose public school to cast the widest net, and enable ALL children to recognize their potential.

What is something people may not know about school social work?

It's also my favorite part, see below.

What is your favorite part of your job - what is your "why"?

There is a heavy emotional labor, which some people assume is overwhelming or maybe discouraging, but the reality is that we get a front row seat to how resilient humans can be. Seeing students grow and adapt their problem-solving skills and watching families evolve through their struggles and become wiser, stronger and more capable is immensely uplifting. It's a gift to see this process. While preventing trauma and changing the systems that allow for such adversity is also part of the role of school social work, so is building hope.

Brady Tolle, Lincoln High School

Where did you attend college?

Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Master of Social Work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha's program on Kearney's campus

What made you want to become a school social worker?

After graduating high school, I was able to zoom out and consider all of the individuals who worked diligently for the sake of ensuring a positive educational experience and outcome for not only me, but all students. I also recognized the sheer amount of time spent with the various school personnel over those years, and I appreciated the impact of those positive connections and formative experiences. I knew I wanted to pursue a meaningful career in a helping profession that emphasized hope and the power of human relationships, but I was also interested in human behavior and the mind. It wasn’t until I was in college that I learned more about the breadth of the social work profession, so I veered from the psychology track and onto the social work track where I learned school districts also hired social workers. I was quickly able to see my experiences, interests and passions align.

What is something people may not know about school social work?

School social work has been around for over 100 years. The profession evolved from those with the title visiting teachers. These visiting teachers focused on being liaisons between homes and schools. In 1942, the profession became known as school social work (Stalnecker, 2022). With a long history, a similar role remains…being a liaison between schools, homes and communities and working to remove barriers to an equitable and accessible education for students. Stalnecker, D. (2022, March 9). History of school social work. SSWAA. https://www.sswaa.org/post/history-of-school-social-work

What is your favorite part of your job - what is your "why"?

My favorite part of the job is being a witness to student social and emotional growth over time, being present in the lightbulb moments of “I can do this” or “I didn’t think of it that way before,” and a culminating experience on graduation day when there’s a joy and sense of accomplishment. Education provides a great kick-starter for self-efficacy not only for academics, but for many areas of life. The pathway isn’t always linear and smooth, but there are so many stories of great resilience, perseverance and personal victories for students and families with whom I have had the privilege of walking alongside.