Every Stage. One Purpose.

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, it becomes a legacy that continues long after retirement.

During a special conversation hosted by Rita Gbegbaje at SSWAA’s National Conference, three remarkable school social workers—each representing a different stage of the professional journey—came together to reflect on purpose, burnout, mentorship, community, and what it truly means to support students.

Featured in the conversation were:

• Kayla Davis, an emerging school social worker and SSWAA student member preparing to complete her MSW

• Khalida Himes, a seasoned school social worker currently in her nineteenth year of practice

• Carolyn Franklin, a retired Chicago Public Schools social worker with thirty-two years of service

Although their journeys began decades apart, their stories pointed to one enduring truth:

School social work is more than a profession—it is deeply personal work rooted in advocacy, connection, and care.

https://youtu.be/wxbXQ_CL5uc

Every Journey Begins Somewhere

Every experienced school social worker was once the person sitting in the audience, wondering what the future might hold.

For Kayla Davis, attending the SSWAA National Conference as a student member provided something she had been hoping to find: a community of professionals who understood the work she was preparing to enter.

“I feel so lucky to be here,” she shared. “Being around people who really get it is incredibly empowering.”

The opportunity to listen to experienced practitioners speak honestly about their successes, challenges, and lessons helped make the profession feel more tangible. It was not simply something she was studying in a classroom—it was a community she was beginning to join.

For students and emerging professionals, being surrounded by people willing to share their knowledge can offer confidence, direction, and reassurance that they do not have to navigate the journey alone.

Staying in the Work

As careers grow, so do the responsibilities and emotional demands of the profession.

For Khalida Himes, now in her nineteenth year of practice, her path into school social work was shaped by her own experiences as a student.

“When I was in school, I felt invisible,” she reflected. “I wanted students to feel seen, heard, and supported.”

That personal commitment continues to influence how she approaches her work today.

However, Khalida also spoke candidly about the importance of sustainability. School social workers frequently pour their energy into students, families, schools, and communities, sometimes without pausing to recognize their own needs.

“You can’t pour into empty,” she reminded listeners.

Her message was not simply about self-care as a personal practice. It was about recognizing that rest, connection, boundaries, and professional support are essential to remaining effective in work that is deeply demanding.

Burnout is real.

Sustainability matters.

Caring for yourself is not separate from the work.

It is part of the work.

Leaving a Legacy

For Carolyn Franklin, thirty-two years of service offered a lifetime of perspective.

Her work was always grounded in helping children and families become their best selves by supporting the whole child—socially, emotionally, and academically.

“A child can be as bright as Einstein,” she shared, “but if they don’t have the social-emotional capacity to manage themselves, they won’t thrive.”

Throughout her career, Carolyn witnessed the profession evolve as schools began placing greater emphasis on social-emotional learning, mental health, family engagement, and student well-being.

Yet the heart of the work remained the same: creating the conditions students need to grow.

Even in retirement, Carolyn continues learning, remaining connected, and sharing what she has gained through decades of practice. Her story is a reminder that retirement does not erase professional identity or purpose.

Sometimes it creates a new opportunity to mentor, guide, and help prepare the next generation.

No One Was Meant to Do This Work Alone

Although each woman represented a different generation of school social work, one message echoed throughout the conversation:

Community matters.

For newer professionals, community provides guidance, confidence, and inspiration.

For mid-career practitioners, it provides renewal, support, and the reminder that others understand the weight of the work.

For veteran professionals, it creates opportunities to mentor, share wisdom, and build a legacy that extends beyond individual schools and districts.

Whether through conferences, professional associations, mentorship, networking, or shared learning, connection helps sustain school social workers throughout every stage of their careers.

Organizations like SSWAA create spaces where professionals can speak honestly, learn from one another, celebrate accomplishments, and remember that they are part of something larger than their individual roles.

Wherever You Are in Your Journey

 Just beginning?

Find mentors who will encourage you, answer your questions, and remind you that you belong in the profession.

Growing in your career?

Seek opportunities to reconnect with your purpose, invest in your well-being, and continue developing as a practitioner and leader.

Leading and mentoring others?

Share your experience, make room for emerging voices, and help shape the future of school social work.

Every stage matters.

Every perspective matters.

Every school social worker has something meaningful to contribute.

Your Story Is Still Being Written

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the conversation was not about years of experience.

It was about purpose.

Whether entering the profession, sustaining a long career, or reflecting on decades of impact, each speaker returned to the same commitment: helping students feel seen, supported, and valued.

The way that purpose is expressed may change over time.

It may begin with learning.

It may grow through service.

It may eventually become mentorship and legacy.

But the heart of the work remains.

And through every stage of the journey, community makes the work stronger.

Because school social work was never meant to be practiced alone.

Continue Your Journey

Whether you are preparing to enter the profession, supporting students every day, or mentoring the next generation, SSWAA is here for every stage of your journey.

Watch the full conversation featuring Carolyn Franklin, Khalida Himes, and Kayla Davis as they reflect on advocacy, burnout, purpose, mentorship, professional growth, and the power of belonging.

Become a member of SSWAA and join a national community committed to supporting school social workers through professional development, advocacy, leadership, and connection.

No matter where you are in your career:

There is a place for you here.