As the holiday season arrives — with its lights, gatherings, and moments of reflection — many of us find ourselves thinking about what matters most: connections, belonging, support, and care. For school social workers, this time of year can heighten both our appreciation for the relationships we build and the weight of needs we hold in our hearts. This year, staff at SSWAA have been reading The Happiness Advantage  by Shawn Achor, and we’ve found its message particularly mean

Why This Year’s SSWAA Conference Matters More Than Ever This year, as school social workers from across the nation gather in St. Louis, Missouri , we’re not just attending another conference—we’re stepping into a transformative experience centered around our theme: “Gateway to Change.”   It’s no coincidence that we’re hosting this year’s event in St. Louis, home of the iconic Gateway Arch . Historically, the Arch symbolized expansion, possibility, and movement toward a new fr

...One of the busiest people in the building At 8:05, you’re helping a student who just learned his brother was arrested last night. By 8:45, you’re in another classroom supporting a student who refuses to take off her backpack because “someone might steal my stuff.” Turns out, her last backpack was stolen last week. At 10:15, you’re driving across town to another school because the counselor called about a student who hasn’t spoken since Monday. By lunch, you’ve already been

SSWAA’s New Membership Coordinator Hello SSWAA Community, I’m honored and excited to step into the role of Membership Coordinator with SSWAA. From the very beginning of my career, I’ve been drawn to work that strengthens people, builds systems of support, and helps communities thrive. This is why I feel deeply aligned with SSWAA’s mission: to amplify the voices of school social workers and to ensure they have the advocacy, tools, and connections they need to succeed. My profe

Meet our new staff member! Hi! I’m Emily. Previous students - those I was fortunate to know during my years as a school social worker - called me Ms. Shayman. More recently, P-12 students who see me around their schools, building capacity via a community schools  framework , call me Dr. Emily (or, some stay quiet while using the the widely known ‘head nod + partial eye contact’ greeting). Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in higher education have called me everythi

October 2025 The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) continues to champion the voice of school social workers and the students we serve. This fall has marked one of our most active and impactful advocacy seasons yet—with SSWAA leading efforts on Capitol Hill, gathering member data to strengthen our policy priorities, joining national coalitions to elevate awareness, and taking a firm stand against actions that jeopardize federal protections for students with dis