Since the first Social Work class was offered in 1898 at Columbia University, our goal as a profession has been to help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those living in poverty. Today, social workers are involved in every area of the workforce including government, schools, hospitals, businesses, politics, and the prison system. 

 

Like many others before me, I chose social work because I sought to make a tangible change in my community. I graduated from UNC Wilmington in 2015 with my Bachelors in Social Work with a minor in Gerontology. I worked for three years for the American Cancer Society in their national office doing case management for all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. I moved back to North Carolina in 2018, and in 2019 I obtained my Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Community and Organizational Leadership.

 

I briefly worked for Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital and Yadkin Valley Home Health before coming to Elkin City Schools in December 2020. I have been given numerous incredible opportunities with Elkin City Schools to grow as a professional while helping and supporting our students. I've had the privilege to witness major changes within their households, which positively impacted their performance in school. One of the best parts of the social work profession is seeing the outpour of love and support from the community and staff.