Every Saturday, we highlight a non-teaching staff member on our Facebook and Twitter (@vcsc_teamvigo) account, turning Saturday into #Staffurday to introduce you to some of the people who make school happen!
Every year is a great year to celebrate our staff, but this year has shined a bright light on the flexibility and compassion of our incredible staff.
Today, meet Ms. Nichelle Campbell-Miller, the social worker at Sarah Scott Middle School.
What motivates you?
My kids! They keep things interesting and exciting and they push me to be better every day. One of the reasons I chose to go back to school to get my masters is because I wanted my kids to see that it was possible and I wanted them to know that I wouldn’t ask them to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself! More specifically for our students of color.
How has your job changed due to COVID?
A large part of my job is to build connections with students and to make sure that their needs are being met. When COVID first hit, it was very difficult to make sure that all of my kids had everything they needed because I wasn’t able to see them everyday. Being in person now has helped with that but I have to make sure I am being very intentional when interacting with my kids because they can be here today and quarantined tomorrow.
What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I am a School Social Worker, the only one in the corporation. People often associate social workers with child welfare. What they fail to realize is that school social workers play several different roles. We advocate, broker, educate, case manage, facilitate and organize. There isn’t a day that goes by where each of these roles aren’t utilized.
Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I absolutely LOVE working at Sarah Scott Middle School. I bleed black and orange. There is a certain loyalty that we all have to each other and our school that can’t be matched, we are truly a family. I love going to school everyday because it doesn’t feel like work. I get to help make the learning experience fun for all of our kids.
Be sure to check back on Wednesday as we highlight another teacher for #RedforEd Wednesday! We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.
