Sow What?

December 3, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized

Social Workers have a lot of roles…

social work roles

but only a limited number of hands…

hands working

If only there were a way to have an apprentice of sorts. Someone who could be invaluable in terms of output/production measures and who could, concurrent to lending his or her hands, offer additional eyes, ears and perspectives to the work that we offer our clients and communities.Guess what?  We not only have this opportunity as school social workers, we also have this responsibility. It is, for my money, one of the more important of our varied and asundered professional roles.So, if you haven’t already, check-out the School Social Work Standards found on the NASW website and take a gander at out numero 28:

School social workers shall contribute to the

development of the profession by educating

and supervising school social work interns.

 But be careful!  There are dangers to having cheap to free  labor at one’s own disposal. I believe I have Spiderman to thank for teaching me that: With great power comes great responsibility. Luckily I know of a great set of training modules for current and future field instructors,  care of our very own University of Texas, School of Social Work. Find out how to wield the power of supervison carefully and competently, right here.

U.T.E.S. housed social work interns even prior to housing a full-time Social Worker. Their work lives on through resource manuels crafted for class projects, mentors they  have referred for our 4th and 5th grade students, and of course most profoundly through the lives of the children who still tell me anecdotes  about Mr. or Ms. so and so from a few years back.  As the program supervisor, I have, at times, been guilty of fretting over the hassles that come naturally when you share your space and license with another human.  But at the end of the day, I am always reminded of an ancient agricultural truth that a parent shared again with me just yesterday–we reap what we sow.  So,in what ways are you planting, watering, caring for the next generation of social workers?

Say your words