“The things that our social workers do—it blows me away on a daily basis,” said Summit Elementary School Principal Tyler Abel, reflecting on the vital work happening in his building. “What we ask them to do goes beyond just meeting with children. They’re connecting families with resources, working through conflicts, facilitating restorative conversations with students, and providing faculty training. It’s absolutely vital.”
It’s a sentiment shared by principals, administrators, and staff across the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC). As students navigate the end-of-semester academic demands and the emotional complexities that can accompany holiday breaks, MCCSC’s student services teams have been working to ensure every child has the support they need.
Alexis Harmon, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment, recently spoke about how MCCSC provides support for the whole child.
“We believe physical safety, physical health, emotional health, and mental health are deeply connected, and when nurtured together, they create the foundation for learning, belonging, and thriving,” said Harmon.
All MCCSC schools have a designated licensed social worker who works alongside teachers, staff and administrators in supporting the needs of students; at the middle and high schools student services teams include guidance counselors.
“It’s a partnership that’s vital,” said Dr. Taji Gibson, principal of Tri-North Middle School. “In education we’re experts in academics, but it takes an expert to know when families or students are in crisis. We count on our student services team to be that expertise, and we turn to them often.”
In addition to working directly with students, social workers connect families with community resources to meet students’ basic needs. They coordinate the Backpack Buddies program in partnership with Community Kitchen that provides students with food over the weekends. In addition, the United Way School Assistance Fund ensures that social workers have funds available to purchase basic needs items for students.
MCCSC principals consistently reference the teamwork between social workers, counselors, teachers, and principals. MCCSC social workers and counselors serve as the experts in mental health and social emotional learning at schools. They often provide education, resources, and professional learning for teachers.
As one example, at Tri-North Middle School, the student services team, Morgan Terry, Ann Thies, and Ashley Howell, lead weekly meetings where teachers bring concerns about students who may be in crisis. The team also provides teacher training.
At Lakeview Elementary, social worker Holly Stitsinger has become indispensable to the school community. “Her office is right in the heart of the building,” said Principal Malynda Fields. “She is seen as a leader here because of her expertise in all things social and emotional. Our teachers tap into her constantly—not only because of her expertise, but because she has genuine care for our students.”
Stitsinger conducts social groups for students struggling with peer interactions, provides support for students experiencing difficulties, and helps children develop coping skills.
“We give them strategies for self-advocacy,” said Fields. “Kids need support on how to foster positive relationships.”
At Summit Elementary, social worker Amy Jones “truly puts students first,” said Abel. “She’s somebody that I can pull in and I know that she’s going to give me what she knows is best for children. Our social worker Andrew Hollis provides daily support by organizing social groups with children, and he also manages our snack library. The way they foster community within our schools is incredible.”
What makes these student services teams exceptional, principals say, is their unwavering focus on what’s best for children.
“Morgan remembers every single student. She knows them, knows their family trees … that’s what you want in a social worker,” said Gibson. “When she saw families needed help with SNAP benefits, she took to her social media and asked people for donations. That’s empathy—she didn’t have to do that. Nobody has time to do those things, but when you care about your environment and your students and your community, that’s really impressive.”
The gratitude principals feel for this work runs deep. “There aren’t enough words,” Gibson reflected. “Our student services team would drop everything and help at any time. They solve real issues with students, and I’m really appreciative of them.”
Students have appreciated the support. “At Lakeview, students are very open about asking for student support services,” said Fields. “They know help is available, and they’re comfortable seeking it out.”
Becky Rose, director of student services, provides support for and oversees social workers across MCCSC.
“I am proud of our team of social workers, who consistently provide mental health support for our children, which is critical for their learning and well-being,” said Rose. “It’s this comprehensive, collaborative approach—where teachers, social workers, counselors, and administrators work as a unified team—that ensures students receive the support they need.”
Families can learn more about the comprehensive student support in MCCSC schools at mccsc.edu/studentservices.
