A PURPOSEFUL PAUSE Advocacy isn't something we do once. It's something we practice every day. Every other year, SSWAA hosts a Legislative Institute in Alexandria, VA. During the Legislative Institute, learning sessions are hosted followed by a day or two, traveling into Washington DC to visit and speak with Legislators about our profession and bills/legislation that are important to our work with students. This past July, thirty-two (32) individuals joined us at the Legisla

Three Clark County School Police Social Workers reflect on crisis response, collaboration, community, and what it means to bring the social work lens into unexpected spaces. Ask a school social worker what a typical day looks like, and chances are the answer will include some version of: there really isn't one. For Tonya Jones, Lori Smith, and Celestina Darine, that unpredictability can extend far beyond the walls of a school. As School Police Social Workers with the Clark Co

If you asked a room full of educators what school social workers do, you might hear a variety of answers. "They support students." "They provide counseling." "They connect families with resources." While each of those answers is true, they only scratch the surface. The reality is that school social workers occupy one of the most unique—and often misunderstood—roles within education. During a conversation at SSWAA's 2026 National Conference, Executive Director Rebecca

Every school social worker has a story. A moment that reminded them why they chose this profession. A student they never forgot. A family they walked alongside. A crisis that tested everything they knew. Or perhaps someone who believed in them when they needed it most. During a special conversation at SSWAA's 2026 National Conference, Associate Executive Director Capella Hauer sat down with three remarkable school social workers—Emily Phares, Jennifer Montes, and

A PURPOSEFUL PAUSE Our work may not always be visible—but its impact is unmistakable. One of the questions I hear most often is, "How do we help others understand what school social workers do?" It's an important question because so much of our work happens behind the scenes. The crisis that never escalated. The student who remained in school because someone intervened. The family that found support before reaching a breaking point. Success in school social work often means s

Three Generations of School Social Workers Reflect on Purpose, Community, and the Heart of the Profession What does school social work look like across the different stages of a career? For some, the journey is just beginning—filled with curiosity, possibility, and a desire to make a difference. For others, it becomes a long-term commitment shaped by years of advocacy, resilience, growth, and service. And for those who have spent decades supporting students and families