Social Workers

Highland Park Middle School's social workers aim to promote academic success by reducing social, emotional, economic and environmental barriers to learning. We view school social work as the link between home, school and the community, providing direct and indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social/emotional success.

Highland Park Middle School has four social workers who partner directly with families, educators and students to address and overcome barriers to academic achievement. Amy and Emily work primarily with students who receive special education services while Katie and Leah work with students who are part of the general education population who may need additional social/emotional support or assistance during a crisis. We provide trauma-informed counseling support to students and we regularly interact with students' caregivers.

We do this by providing individual, small group and family support. Sessions focus on:

• Improving social, emotional and academic functioning
• Specific skill development
• Building trusting connections with each student and their family
• Direct consultation and linkage to appropriate community resources for families
• Help children and their families meet basic needs and overcome barriers to education

Dually licensed by the Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW) and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB), school social workers are mental health professionals and practitioners who bring a variety of skills and evidence-based practices to the school setting. This includes providing social work services and support to students, families, and educational staff while bridging connections between home, school, and community to support students' academic, social, emotional and behavioral success at school.

We help refer families/students who may be in need of support to community agencies. Click here to see helpful resources for students and families. If you have any questions about this list and/or a community agency please let us know.