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Congratulations to the Most Recent School Social Worker, School Social Work Leader and School Social Work Advocate Award Recipients!
Distinguished School Social Worker of 2024
Tracey Thompson
With her easy smile and loving nature she has done a monumental job in bringing together our various parent groups and increasing parent involvement and voice at WSE over 100% year over year in a community with one of the most diverse populations (religiously, ethnically, racially, poverty, etc.) in the District. She has used her ability to communicate and interact with other stakeholders to exemplify the beauty of Seattle. (The words of Tracey's principal, Pamela McCowan-Conyers, with some edits for context/brevity.)
Tracey Thompson
- Tracey is a veteran social worker who routinely leads groups of novice social workers with concerns around interacting with staff, students and parents. She works at the highest level in the District doing trauma informed and threat assessment work. She has worked as a lead family support worker, prior to gaining her Masters’ degree and becoming a social worker. She has worked at two very different school settings that were very much impacted by diversity/inclusion issues, discipline and child abuse issues, MKV impacts, poverty and community outreach and grants goals. She has been immensely successful at obtaining favorable resolutions at both schools.
With her easy smile and loving nature she has done a monumental job in bringing together our various parent groups and increasing parent involvement and voice at WSE over 100% year over year in a community with one of the most diverse populations (religiously, ethnically, racially, poverty, etc.) in the District. She has used her ability to communicate and interact with other stakeholders to exemplify the beauty of Seattle. (The words of Tracey's principal, Pamela McCowan-Conyers, with some edits for context/brevity.)
Distinguished School Social Work Leader of 2024
Therssa Warren
Therssa started her career working with underserved youth, youth and families of color, and families impacted by trauma. Therssa worked with Family Assessment Response program with the Department of Children, Youth and Families for five years after graduating with her Master of Social Work in 2016 from the University of Washington. Therssa has a heart for families, youth, and my community since the start of her career.Therssa was the first Social Worker hired within the Puyallup School District and currently works as a District School Social Worker and Foster Care Liaison. Therssa’s background has allowed her to work with youth and families in many capacities, offering high levels of support including to those who have experienced mental health crises and those needing intensive community supports. One of the many passions she shares is supporting children and families of color. Thersa believes it is important that all youth and families she works with have a safe and open environment to express concerns, especially those dealing with depression, anxiety and unhealthy patterns. Therssa prides herself on and works supporting others through a holistic centered lens to ensure those she works with can have healthy well-being and relationships. Therssa has partnered with community-based agencies such as Charlie Health, Raising Girls, Communities in School-Puyallup, Friends of the Children and many others. Therssa continues to support students directly by being on her school’s leadership teams, MTSS/CARE meetings, monthly district counselor meetings, advisor to Pacific Islander Club at Puyallup High School and partnering with Puyallup High School to hold a Multi-Cultural Event school wide. Therssa has always been an advocate for children and families and the impacts that affect them with getting the supports needed for them to be successful. She has consistently shown remarkable dedication, demonstrating a level of skill and compassion that sets her apart. Her unwavering commitment to the well-being of our students, families, and staff is nothing short of exceptional. T's ability to navigate complex situations, provide emotional support, and connect families to essential resources has had a profound and lasting impact on her district. She has not only been a pillar of support for those in need but has also contributed to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for all. Her contributions have been invaluable, and her legacy within the Puyallup School District will be felt for years to come. (The words of Alex Lyyski, fellow Puyallup School District school social worker; edited for context)
Therssa consistently goes above and beyond to support our students and families. Her dedication to building strong relationships is evident in every interaction she has. Her ability to connect with families from diverse backgrounds has not only fostered a sense of trust but has also created a supportive environment where students can thrive. She approaches each challenge with compassion and creativity, always finding new ways to engage and uplift our community. Her tireless commitment to promoting mental health and well-being in our schools has made a significant difference. Therssa's positive energy and fresh ideas inspire all of us to strive for excellence in our roles. In short, Therssa is a true leader and an invaluable asset to her district. We are all fortunate to have her as part of our team. (The words of Meredith Cromis (Puyallup School District-School Social Worker at Sunrise Elementary)
Therssa speaks up. She asked hard question, good questions about how WASSW is doing business and made suggestions about how we could do better. Then she took that good work and made it exceptional: she did something. She stepped up and started showing up to WASSW leadership meetings. And then she started offering to help. And then she started partnering with us and taking the lead in key areas. Therssa has become one of the cornerstones of WASSW in the past year because she did show up and she keeps showing up and not just that, she brings people with her. Therssa has represented WASSW at the SSWAA delegate assembly and legislative institute. She has become the voice and work behind many of WASSW's communications. She just keeps showing up. (Kristina Miller-WASSW Leadership Team)
Therssa Warren
Therssa started her career working with underserved youth, youth and families of color, and families impacted by trauma. Therssa worked with Family Assessment Response program with the Department of Children, Youth and Families for five years after graduating with her Master of Social Work in 2016 from the University of Washington. Therssa has a heart for families, youth, and my community since the start of her career.Therssa was the first Social Worker hired within the Puyallup School District and currently works as a District School Social Worker and Foster Care Liaison. Therssa’s background has allowed her to work with youth and families in many capacities, offering high levels of support including to those who have experienced mental health crises and those needing intensive community supports. One of the many passions she shares is supporting children and families of color. Thersa believes it is important that all youth and families she works with have a safe and open environment to express concerns, especially those dealing with depression, anxiety and unhealthy patterns. Therssa prides herself on and works supporting others through a holistic centered lens to ensure those she works with can have healthy well-being and relationships. Therssa has partnered with community-based agencies such as Charlie Health, Raising Girls, Communities in School-Puyallup, Friends of the Children and many others. Therssa continues to support students directly by being on her school’s leadership teams, MTSS/CARE meetings, monthly district counselor meetings, advisor to Pacific Islander Club at Puyallup High School and partnering with Puyallup High School to hold a Multi-Cultural Event school wide. Therssa has always been an advocate for children and families and the impacts that affect them with getting the supports needed for them to be successful. She has consistently shown remarkable dedication, demonstrating a level of skill and compassion that sets her apart. Her unwavering commitment to the well-being of our students, families, and staff is nothing short of exceptional. T's ability to navigate complex situations, provide emotional support, and connect families to essential resources has had a profound and lasting impact on her district. She has not only been a pillar of support for those in need but has also contributed to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for all. Her contributions have been invaluable, and her legacy within the Puyallup School District will be felt for years to come. (The words of Alex Lyyski, fellow Puyallup School District school social worker; edited for context)
Therssa consistently goes above and beyond to support our students and families. Her dedication to building strong relationships is evident in every interaction she has. Her ability to connect with families from diverse backgrounds has not only fostered a sense of trust but has also created a supportive environment where students can thrive. She approaches each challenge with compassion and creativity, always finding new ways to engage and uplift our community. Her tireless commitment to promoting mental health and well-being in our schools has made a significant difference. Therssa's positive energy and fresh ideas inspire all of us to strive for excellence in our roles. In short, Therssa is a true leader and an invaluable asset to her district. We are all fortunate to have her as part of our team. (The words of Meredith Cromis (Puyallup School District-School Social Worker at Sunrise Elementary)
Therssa speaks up. She asked hard question, good questions about how WASSW is doing business and made suggestions about how we could do better. Then she took that good work and made it exceptional: she did something. She stepped up and started showing up to WASSW leadership meetings. And then she started offering to help. And then she started partnering with us and taking the lead in key areas. Therssa has become one of the cornerstones of WASSW in the past year because she did show up and she keeps showing up and not just that, she brings people with her. Therssa has represented WASSW at the SSWAA delegate assembly and legislative institute. She has become the voice and work behind many of WASSW's communications. She just keeps showing up. (Kristina Miller-WASSW Leadership Team)
Distinguished School Social Work Advocate of 2024:
University of Washington SMART Center
"In October 2022, a dedicated group came together to explore how to improve student access to school-based mental health services. Among the many ideas discussed, one stood out: expanding the role of school social workers to better support youth across Washington state. Through ongoing collaboration and, of course, the timely submission of a grant, this vision began to take shape, creating new opportunities for school social workers and, WASSW believes, fundamentally altering the profession’s trajectory in the state.
The partnership between the SMART Center and the Washington Association of School Social Workers (WASSW) brought this transformative vision to life. Together, we tackle challenges and pave the way for increased school social worker employment and broader involvement, ensuring that more students and families receive the support they need.
This moment is a testament to the power of advocacy, partnership, vision, and leadership. The SMART Center’s work represents a turning point in school social work, in Washington state. A turning point where dedication to the social work profession and collaboration to better support youth, have aligned to create lasting systemic change." (Michelle Sorensen, WASSW Leadership Team)
University of Washington SMART Center
"In October 2022, a dedicated group came together to explore how to improve student access to school-based mental health services. Among the many ideas discussed, one stood out: expanding the role of school social workers to better support youth across Washington state. Through ongoing collaboration and, of course, the timely submission of a grant, this vision began to take shape, creating new opportunities for school social workers and, WASSW believes, fundamentally altering the profession’s trajectory in the state.
The partnership between the SMART Center and the Washington Association of School Social Workers (WASSW) brought this transformative vision to life. Together, we tackle challenges and pave the way for increased school social worker employment and broader involvement, ensuring that more students and families receive the support they need.
This moment is a testament to the power of advocacy, partnership, vision, and leadership. The SMART Center’s work represents a turning point in school social work, in Washington state. A turning point where dedication to the social work profession and collaboration to better support youth, have aligned to create lasting systemic change." (Michelle Sorensen, WASSW Leadership Team)
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.
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.
Read these articles by OSPI and WEA to learn more about Carrie's vision, achievements and to read her acceptance speech.