Amanda Is Speaking

According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW): “School social workers are often called on to help students, families, and teachers address problems such as truancy, social withdrawal, overaggressive behaviors, rebelliousness, and the effects of special physical, emotional, or economic problems.” Barker, 2003). 

Meet Amanda Collins, who is going on her 16th year in the field of school social work. Now on top of the basic trials and tribulations of “being a middle school-aged person” (and there are many), add violence in the home, unstable family living situation, poverty, perhaps having to parent siblings, going without meals, covert and overt racism, and substance abuse and clearly, Amanda has many irons in the fire as she helps these young people navigate their social-emotional, behavioral and academic lives. On top of all that, add in a pandemic, losing family members to Covid and to violence, fear, lack of resources and teachers leaving the schools in droves, and one might question how one person can take this all in and all on. 

If you have or have had those questions, listen to Amanda. Her work is deeply important, and often overlooked or undervalued. Listen to Amanda, and hug a school social worker today if you can.