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Congratulations to the Most Recent School Social Worker and School Social Work Advocate Award Recipients!
2020
Carrie Syvertsen has been deservedly recognized nationally by SSWAA and statewide by WASSW as the 2020 School Social Worker of the year. Knowing Carrie, she would say that her work was and is just doing what she feels needs to be done, but what she does is at the leading edge of innovative and effective school social work practice. She goes above and beyond.
Throughout her career, Carrie has worked to connect and empower her MSW colleagues, advocate for the school social work profession locally and state-wide and help the families in her schools overcome barriers. She has enhanced that advocacy in recent years by shining a light on systematic issues of inequity in schools and society and working to dismantle the barriers themselves. Carrie worked on the WASSW board as a proactive and effective vice-president and was a key team member in the passage of HB 1377, ‘Improving Students’ Mental Health by Enhancing Nonacademic Professional Services’, which for the first time provided recognition of the profession “school social worker” in Washington State statutes when it became RCW 28A.410.044. Carrie has also modeled for the rest of us how to successfully work with one’s union, school district and bargaining team to advocate for the role of school social worker, one valuable outcome being contract language allowing postings to include either a school counselor or school social worker ESA. Carrie was also an advocate for the teaming work of the Behavioral Health Coalition with the state school nurses, psychologists and counselors, along with Erin Romanuk, Liz Nelson and others, that continues to build common ground with our fellow ESA professionals to fight for families by developing resources and communication tools to promote what is clearly best practice in student support - a team approach involving all ESAs.
I will let Carrie’s words speak for her:
“The theme of the School Social Work Association of America’s national conference in March was Beacon of Hope. The image they used was that of a lighthouse. As social workers, we don’t take over the helm of the boat or pluck them out and helicopter them in. We don’t stop the wind and the rain and those roaring waves. But as social workers we have an art and a craft of empowering, of leveraging what resources families do have and building on their strengths. We may provide guidance on how to use the compass or batten the hatches or reef the sail, or reflect with them about how they’ve used their resilience and strength before and can do it once again”
“I continue to believe that we as school social workers are agents of change, that we get messy in the work, we uncover and unravel the many layers that influence human behavior and dynamics and we actively and unapologetically advocate for changes in systems and changes in hearts and minds”
Read these articles by OSPI and WEA to learn more about Carrie's vision, achievements and to read her acceptance speech.
Carrie Syvertsen has been deservedly recognized nationally by SSWAA and statewide by WASSW as the 2020 School Social Worker of the year. Knowing Carrie, she would say that her work was and is just doing what she feels needs to be done, but what she does is at the leading edge of innovative and effective school social work practice. She goes above and beyond.
Throughout her career, Carrie has worked to connect and empower her MSW colleagues, advocate for the school social work profession locally and state-wide and help the families in her schools overcome barriers. She has enhanced that advocacy in recent years by shining a light on systematic issues of inequity in schools and society and working to dismantle the barriers themselves. Carrie worked on the WASSW board as a proactive and effective vice-president and was a key team member in the passage of HB 1377, ‘Improving Students’ Mental Health by Enhancing Nonacademic Professional Services’, which for the first time provided recognition of the profession “school social worker” in Washington State statutes when it became RCW 28A.410.044. Carrie has also modeled for the rest of us how to successfully work with one’s union, school district and bargaining team to advocate for the role of school social worker, one valuable outcome being contract language allowing postings to include either a school counselor or school social worker ESA. Carrie was also an advocate for the teaming work of the Behavioral Health Coalition with the state school nurses, psychologists and counselors, along with Erin Romanuk, Liz Nelson and others, that continues to build common ground with our fellow ESA professionals to fight for families by developing resources and communication tools to promote what is clearly best practice in student support - a team approach involving all ESAs.
I will let Carrie’s words speak for her:
“The theme of the School Social Work Association of America’s national conference in March was Beacon of Hope. The image they used was that of a lighthouse. As social workers, we don’t take over the helm of the boat or pluck them out and helicopter them in. We don’t stop the wind and the rain and those roaring waves. But as social workers we have an art and a craft of empowering, of leveraging what resources families do have and building on their strengths. We may provide guidance on how to use the compass or batten the hatches or reef the sail, or reflect with them about how they’ve used their resilience and strength before and can do it once again”
“I continue to believe that we as school social workers are agents of change, that we get messy in the work, we uncover and unravel the many layers that influence human behavior and dynamics and we actively and unapologetically advocate for changes in systems and changes in hearts and minds”
Read these articles by OSPI and WEA to learn more about Carrie's vision, achievements and to read her acceptance speech.
2019
One thing we know about our 2019 School Social Work Advocate of the year, Erin Romanuk, is that she would prefer we not shine the spotlight on her alone. When she accepted her award, she clearly wanted to share the recognition, using the time to thank the people in WASSW and around the state who mentored her and teamed with her to evolve our organization, make connections with key stakeholders, and to bring school social work into Washington State Law with the passing of 1377. Speaking of 1377, that is something Erin would want us to talk about, and more importantly build from, e.g. in improving the prototypical school model the state uses for allocating funding.
The people Erin “shared” her award with did however make note of her many, many hours advocating on behalf of school social work in Washington State specifically, but also nationally through our national organization, SSWAA. It is not to be made light of, that Erin’s efforts were integral and essential to the success of school social work being recognized in Washington State. She now promotes our profession teaching the school social work course at the University of Washington, and continuing as an advocate for students and families with her role within the Seattle School District.
One of her mentors, Ann Pulkkinen, had this to say:
“Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Erin! I've thought a lot about what words concisely describe you...
Brilliant? Yes, but sounds too nerdy.
Caring? Yes, but you're not our typical squishy social worker.
Well Organized and Efficient? Too cold
Skillful with the toughest kids? Too clinical
Endless Stamina? Sounds like the gym
Willing to take on huge challenges and sticks with the fight until she succeeds? Too pugilistic
So, My Dear Erin, you are just too complex a person to label! Let me simply say Thank You!
Thank you for lovingly, persistently helping WASSW transition into the 21st century.
Thank you for pinpointing necessary WAC changes and steadfastly seeing the process through to victory.
Thank you for setting such a fine example of a highly skilled MSW moving up the school district food chain to become a highly effective administrator.
Thank you for your many years of fine service to countless children and families.
And, finally, thank you for taking over my UW class so I can retire with full confidence that our certification will be maintained with vigor!
VISION! That's the word!! Erin, you are a woman of great vision!! “
One thing we know about our 2019 School Social Work Advocate of the year, Erin Romanuk, is that she would prefer we not shine the spotlight on her alone. When she accepted her award, she clearly wanted to share the recognition, using the time to thank the people in WASSW and around the state who mentored her and teamed with her to evolve our organization, make connections with key stakeholders, and to bring school social work into Washington State Law with the passing of 1377. Speaking of 1377, that is something Erin would want us to talk about, and more importantly build from, e.g. in improving the prototypical school model the state uses for allocating funding.
The people Erin “shared” her award with did however make note of her many, many hours advocating on behalf of school social work in Washington State specifically, but also nationally through our national organization, SSWAA. It is not to be made light of, that Erin’s efforts were integral and essential to the success of school social work being recognized in Washington State. She now promotes our profession teaching the school social work course at the University of Washington, and continuing as an advocate for students and families with her role within the Seattle School District.
One of her mentors, Ann Pulkkinen, had this to say:
“Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Erin! I've thought a lot about what words concisely describe you...
Brilliant? Yes, but sounds too nerdy.
Caring? Yes, but you're not our typical squishy social worker.
Well Organized and Efficient? Too cold
Skillful with the toughest kids? Too clinical
Endless Stamina? Sounds like the gym
Willing to take on huge challenges and sticks with the fight until she succeeds? Too pugilistic
So, My Dear Erin, you are just too complex a person to label! Let me simply say Thank You!
Thank you for lovingly, persistently helping WASSW transition into the 21st century.
Thank you for pinpointing necessary WAC changes and steadfastly seeing the process through to victory.
Thank you for setting such a fine example of a highly skilled MSW moving up the school district food chain to become a highly effective administrator.
Thank you for your many years of fine service to countless children and families.
And, finally, thank you for taking over my UW class so I can retire with full confidence that our certification will be maintained with vigor!
VISION! That's the word!! Erin, you are a woman of great vision!! “
2018
The Washington Association of School Social Workers is proud to introduce you to the 2018 Distinguished School Social Worker of the Year. Julie Sullenszino has not always been a school social worker. She actually started off her career in 1992 working in outpatient, foster family, and therapeutic placement services in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. From there she spent some time as a therapist in California before moving back to Seattle in 1999. Before transitioning to the school social work profession in 2009, she was a clinical supervisor for Central Youth and Family Services. After completing the school social work course work at the University of Washington, she started working for the Bethel School District.
A former colleague from Nelson Elementary in the Bethel School District, Christine Hartmann, had this to say about Julie:
The love and dedication that Julie has for kids, staff, and the community is evident in all that she does. Julie was one of the first people who I had the privilege of meeting during my first couple of weeks at Nelson Elementary. I was a new teacher at the time and I honestly would not have made it through my first year if it wasn't for her. During her time at Nelson, Julie taught me many skills and strategies to work with my most challenging students. Her way of connecting with kids and staff is unique and unlike any other social worker I've worked with. I didn't know it during my first few months of teaching, but Julie would become an amazing mentor and friend. Although I always knew she did what was best for kids, I later found out that she would help me decide what was best for myself. Julie helped me make one of the toughest decisions that I've faced thus far in my life - to take care of my dying mother while leaving a classroom full of children in the last months of school. After deciding to care for my mom, Julie made sure to have staff and students send me kind words and gifts. She regularly checked in on me and called to just say hello. To this day, our similar journeys are something that has continued to bond us. Julie is more than a social worker. She is a true friend and an incredible example of how one person can truly make a difference in the lives of others.
Julie currently works for Seattle Public Schools as a Social Emotional Discipline Case Manager. Katie May, principal of Thurgood Marshall Elementary, had this to say about Julie’s work at her school last year:
Julie is an unstoppable force once she is connected to a student. Last spring, Julie turned things around for a child at my school through sheer determination. The student had demonstrated progressively more concerning behaviors over the course of a year and I was really worried about what would happen when she moved on to Middle School this year. Julie met with her twice a week, regularly spoke to her grandmother, therapist, her teacher and me. She helped to create a plan of support, and worked with all of us to be sure that the adults were following through with the plan (we all know that can be harder than the work with students!). Julie never gave up, and the student left us at the end of the school year much better prepared to handle the challenges of Middle School in a healthier way. I know that Julie changed the outcomes for this child, and we could not have done it without her.
And lastly, Pat Sander, the Executive Director of Coordinated School Health for Seattle Public Schools had this to say:
Julie ALWAYS put students first! In every story that comes back to central office from school staff there is always one common theme. Julie knows the student by story, strength, and need and as a result adds student voice or makes sure the student voice is present so it can influence adult dialogue. She has the keen ability to move students along the developmental social emotional continuum from dependent to independent.
Julie has served as conference chair, membership chair, secretary, advocated on behalf of WASSW during several legislative sessions (making treats, setting up appointments with House of Representatives and Senators, designing materials/handouts, and testifying on behalf of HB 1377/HB 1900). She was responsible for revamping and organizing the biannual WASSW newsletter and maintaining the website. Even though she stepped away from the board last year, she is still very much involved behind the scenes helping out with special projects. Julie has always been a consistent, reliable, and supportive WASSW team member.
The Washington Association of School Social Workers is proud to introduce you to the 2018 Distinguished School Social Worker of the Year. Julie Sullenszino has not always been a school social worker. She actually started off her career in 1992 working in outpatient, foster family, and therapeutic placement services in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. From there she spent some time as a therapist in California before moving back to Seattle in 1999. Before transitioning to the school social work profession in 2009, she was a clinical supervisor for Central Youth and Family Services. After completing the school social work course work at the University of Washington, she started working for the Bethel School District.
A former colleague from Nelson Elementary in the Bethel School District, Christine Hartmann, had this to say about Julie:
The love and dedication that Julie has for kids, staff, and the community is evident in all that she does. Julie was one of the first people who I had the privilege of meeting during my first couple of weeks at Nelson Elementary. I was a new teacher at the time and I honestly would not have made it through my first year if it wasn't for her. During her time at Nelson, Julie taught me many skills and strategies to work with my most challenging students. Her way of connecting with kids and staff is unique and unlike any other social worker I've worked with. I didn't know it during my first few months of teaching, but Julie would become an amazing mentor and friend. Although I always knew she did what was best for kids, I later found out that she would help me decide what was best for myself. Julie helped me make one of the toughest decisions that I've faced thus far in my life - to take care of my dying mother while leaving a classroom full of children in the last months of school. After deciding to care for my mom, Julie made sure to have staff and students send me kind words and gifts. She regularly checked in on me and called to just say hello. To this day, our similar journeys are something that has continued to bond us. Julie is more than a social worker. She is a true friend and an incredible example of how one person can truly make a difference in the lives of others.
Julie currently works for Seattle Public Schools as a Social Emotional Discipline Case Manager. Katie May, principal of Thurgood Marshall Elementary, had this to say about Julie’s work at her school last year:
Julie is an unstoppable force once she is connected to a student. Last spring, Julie turned things around for a child at my school through sheer determination. The student had demonstrated progressively more concerning behaviors over the course of a year and I was really worried about what would happen when she moved on to Middle School this year. Julie met with her twice a week, regularly spoke to her grandmother, therapist, her teacher and me. She helped to create a plan of support, and worked with all of us to be sure that the adults were following through with the plan (we all know that can be harder than the work with students!). Julie never gave up, and the student left us at the end of the school year much better prepared to handle the challenges of Middle School in a healthier way. I know that Julie changed the outcomes for this child, and we could not have done it without her.
And lastly, Pat Sander, the Executive Director of Coordinated School Health for Seattle Public Schools had this to say:
Julie ALWAYS put students first! In every story that comes back to central office from school staff there is always one common theme. Julie knows the student by story, strength, and need and as a result adds student voice or makes sure the student voice is present so it can influence adult dialogue. She has the keen ability to move students along the developmental social emotional continuum from dependent to independent.
Julie has served as conference chair, membership chair, secretary, advocated on behalf of WASSW during several legislative sessions (making treats, setting up appointments with House of Representatives and Senators, designing materials/handouts, and testifying on behalf of HB 1377/HB 1900). She was responsible for revamping and organizing the biannual WASSW newsletter and maintaining the website. Even though she stepped away from the board last year, she is still very much involved behind the scenes helping out with special projects. Julie has always been a consistent, reliable, and supportive WASSW team member.