Being a School Social Worker is, by far, the most rewarding opportunity I could have ever asked for. Going into my second year, I have gained so much confidence in my work. I feel like I am meant to be here, I knew I was supposed to be here the moment I applied for this job. My dream job. The work is stressful, the past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions. Our district experiences so many joyous moments and too many tragedies. I battle problems side by side with my students and families. I see the smiles, I feel the tears. I smile with them, I cry with them.

I saw one of my students today who graduated last year and I couldn’t help but get emotional seeing her and seeing how good she is doing despite her past and the troubles she has endured throughout her life. My heart screams happiness in those moments..

I get calls from previous students and I see my current students every single day. I feel the changes happening in my kids. I see the trust growing, I feel the connection. I see the kids who come to school to be loved, and I hope they feel the love I give. I tell the students in the class I teach every Wednesday how special they are. A student told me earlier this week that he had never heard that before and he wished he could hear it every day. I told him, if I could see him every day, I would tell him because he deserves to know he is special and he matters in this world. I had another student tell me he wanted to be like me when he grows up, the ultimate compliment..

These students, they are people just like me and you, they are the foundation of our future, they are special, they are love. They deserve love. They all have a story to tell. The unfortunate part is that a lot of my kids have a sad story. So, I listen with my whole heart.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind, always” hangs in my office for a reason. It is a reminder to myself and those who walk in to step out of yourself once in a while and view life in a different way.

My students don’t live the ideal life and that’s okay. It makes them who they are and I love who they are. They have changed me and continue to change me every single day. I welcome that change with open arms because with them, my life is worth living.