The Power of Being the Connector

5 hours ago
3 min read

A PURPOSEFUL PAUSE

School social workers connect people, systems, and solutions—and that role has never been more important.

Today's society is all about connection.

Access to information.

A link to a service or resource.

Connection to technology.

Research data indicates that we are digitally more connected with the increase of technology advances and social media platforms. But, the data indicates that at the same time, we are more socially isolated. There has been a decline in face-to-face connections and an increase in feelings of loneliness.

According to the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General's Report entitled Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, several data points convey these trends (changes noted between 2003 and 2020):

Social isolation increased 24 hours per month
Household family social engagement decreased 5 hours per month
Companionship decreased 14 hours per month
Social engagement with friends decreased 20 hours per month
Social engagement with others decreased 10 hours per month

Yet, the subtitle of this report also suggests hope and healing is possible through connection and community. Here enters the case for school social workers.

This month's A Purposeful Pause celebrates one of the greatest strengths of school social workers—the ability to connect.

As schools prepare for another year, there's an excitement that comes with fresh beginnings. New students. New staff. New opportunities. But there is also a familiar reality: schools are complex places, and no one succeeds alone.

Day after day, week after week, school social workers make connections.

We connect students with resources.

Families with schools.

Educators with understanding.

Colleagues with tools and practice knowledge.

Communities with opportunities.

We bridge gaps that others may not even recognize exist.

Sometimes those connections happen through formal meetings and carefully developed plans. Other times, they happen in brief hallway conversations, a phone call home, or simply taking the time to listen.

Connection is not just something we do—it is how we think.

School social workers naturally see the relationships between people, systems, and circumstances. We recognize that no challenge exists in isolation, and neither do the solutions.

As a new school year begins, I encourage you to remember that your ability to connect is one of your greatest professional strengths. Every relationship you build strengthens the larger system around it.

When people feel connected, they feel supported. When systems become connected, they become stronger.

And when our profession continues to connect with one voice, we move the field forward together.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

A Purposeful Pause is a monthly message from the Executive Director, created to offer a moment of pause, reflection, and intentional forward movement for the school social work field.

Each month, we focus on one idea that reflects both the realities and the possibilities of our profession. These messages are intentionally shared across formats to meet members where they are and reinforce a timely, consistent, values-driven narrative.

A Purposeful Pause is grounded in the belief that progress does not happen through urgency alone, but through shared purpose, collective effort, and steady leadership. Together, we take a pause to reflect—and then we move our profession forward.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca K. Oliver is the Executive Director of the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). Mrs. Oliver became the association's Executive Director in 2015 after a 20+ year career as a School Social Worker in Texas. Mrs. Oliver achieved a post-graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership and SSWAA has experienced significant growth under her leadership. When asked, Rebecca shares that she is committed to servant leadership and believes in building a strong staff and working collaboratively with the Board of Directors. When asked about her best accomplishment over the past 11 years, Rebecca said, "This work is my passion! While the road has not always been easy, I have met wonderful colleagues and have seen impactful growth in the association. However, I am most proud of the SSWAA team that has been built and their dedication to this association and the membership."

This content was enhanced with the support of AI.