- January 26, 2012
- 1:36 pm
- Cara Young
- no comments
Interview with an alternative school social worker
Interview with Krystal Cox, LSW, IMPACT Program in Kankakee, IL.
- Describe what an average day would look like for a social worker at an alternative school.
“The average day is varied depending on the day. Some days, I can see students and follow a schedule. Other days, there are numerous crisis situations that occupy my day. Sometimes I get lunch, some days I don’t.”
- How would you say your job differs from that of a social worker at a traditional school?
”In a traditional school, there tend to be less crisis situations so you are able to follow a more traditional schedule most of the time. In addition to being placed at an Alternative School, I also work at an Elementary School one day a week. Also in a traditional school, the number of students we have varies greatly. I have one number on a Friday and then come back to school on a Monday and find out that one student moved, one student went to rehab, and one student is in the Department of Corrections. You try to make every counseling opportunity count because you never know how long you have to work with that student.”
- What kinds of goals do alternative schools aim to achieve?
“I think the main goal is for students to return to their home school and be successful in that environment. I try to set personal goals with each student which may involve staying off from drugs when returning from rehab, continuing to take their prescribed medications daily, not running away from home when there is a conflict, etc.”
- If you could give one piece of advice to other alternative school social workers, what would it be?
“Probably to stick with it and never give up. Also, never let them see you lose your cool! Sometimes it is tough and you may have to shut your office door for a few minutes and take a few deep breaths, but they need for you to always be the stable and a consistent force in their lives. I also pray a lot. I had a student today that was determined to go into his classroom to fight a peer that was bothering him. I stood in front of the door and prayed silently in my head that this 17 year old male that towers over me, would calm down enough to listen to my words of reason. He kept saying “Mrs. Cox- I like you and all but you need to move out of the way before I have to move you.” I responded with “I like you too K……., but if you try to move me you will be arrested so instead please walk across the hall where we can talk it out.” Thank goodness he walked across the hall. Prayer answered!”
