As part of earning my Master’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, I completed two local internships. One of those internships—at my request—was with Spotsylvania County Public Schools during the 2023–24 school year. During this time, I managed a caseload of 30–40 students while working 24–30 hours a week. This was in addition to my full-time government job.
I worked directly with students with special needs, behavioral challenges, and those dealing with significant personal hardships such as food insecurity, anxiety, struggles with self-harm, or dealing with the loss of a loved one. My role required routine collaboration with school counselors, teachers, staff, and administrators. You may not know that social workers are one of the few professionals in a school who do not report directly to the principal. This dynamic requires a high degree of professionalism, communication, and relationship-building. I was fortunate to work with a wonderful team, but it was also my ability to build trust and navigate new relationships that helped me integrate successfully.
This internship was both deeply rewarding and incredibly challenging. It offered me direct insight into the inner workings of our schools and the complex social dynamics that impact our students, families, and staff every day. I also gained valuable perspectives from fellow social workers at other schools across the district. These collective experiences played a significant role in motivating me to serve on the school board.
Although my internship at Chancellor Elementary ended over a year ago, I haven’t stopped thinking about the futures of the students I served. I supported students from diverse backgrounds, many of whom were referred to me during moments of crisis - where they needed support navigating their most vulnerable times. I collaborated closely with educators to help students return to the classroom as quickly as possible, and when needed, I worked with families to connect them to community resources that could support them beyond the school walls.
What does this experience have to do with serving on the school board?
My time working inside a Spotsy school gives me a valuable and practical perspective. I’ve seen firsthand how dysfunction at the school board level can directly impact staff morale, school culture, and ultimately student outcomes. I’ve also observed how local, state, and federal policy decisions shape the everyday operations of our schools—and how those decisions impact real people.
This experience makes the work personal for me. If elected, every decision I make on the school board will be guided not just by evidence and data, but by the lived experiences of the students I served, the teachers I partnered with, and the families I supported.
I believe that sound policy should be rooted in research and best practices—but it must also be informed by empathy. My time as a school social worker will serve as a guiding force for me on the school board. It will help ensure that each decision I make is in the best interests of all students, teachers, and staff across the district.