School Social Worker - Essay Example

I went to schools where there were social workers, but I never really understood their role. I always assumed that they helped students who had problems at home or at school. However, when Ms. Rebekah Wilson from Hospice of the Valley began speaking on the subject, I realized that the scope of this field is much wider than what I had imagined. I also began to appreciate the value this service adds to the life of a needy child and how important it is in ensuring a good support system for the child to overcome the challenges that he/she is facing in life.

I was really shocked to learn about some of the situations like teen pregnancy, suicide, and homelessness that require crisis intervention. These issues become more compounded when these situations arise with children living in poverty or those with special needs. After hearing about situations that range from minor issues in the classroom to those requiring legal intervention, I realized that it requires courage and dedication to work as a school social worker as they fill in the roles of an advocate, leader and mentor.

I was also shocked to hear that Arizona has the highest rate of teen pregnancies and teen suicides. This underscores the immense need and valuable role of social workers in the schools. I strongly believe that social workers are a valuable resource that can help ensure needy children gain control over their life and lead a more productive life.