By Kacie Shipman, MSW, LCSW – September 30, 2026 – Have you ever wondered what a school social worker actually does? In this role, I often hear students’ ideas and questions about my job and what my role looks like within the school building. The short answer? School social workers wear many hats. I often […]
By Diann Moesner, MSW, LCSW – September 23, 2026 – Whether you are interacting with students as a school professional, a parent, or both, it can feel uncomfortable to watch kids struggle to navigate the world around them. When we see them struggling, it is natural to want to “fix” things for them – to […]
By Beth Thomas, MSW, LSW – September 16, 2026 – Close sibling relationships can have a lifelong impact. They are an important part of our development and can provide valuable knowledge, guidance and support throughout different stages of life. Of course, no sibling relationship is perfect. Conflict and disagreements are natural, but even these imperfections […]
By Jordyn Bryant, MSW, LCSW – September 9, 2026 – While parenting is deeply meaningful and rewarding, we cannot ignore that it is also emotionally demanding. Many parents focus so fully on their child’s needs that their own well-being gradually moves to the background. Between managing daily responsibilities, responding to a child’s emotions, balancing work […]
By Jordan Evans, MSW, LSW – September 2, 2026 – Emotional regulation is a child’s ability to understand, express, and manage their feelings in healthy ways. This skill begins developing early in life and continues to grow throughout childhood. Children do not learn emotional regulation on their own. Instead, they develop it through everyday interactions […]
By Kelly Leavitt, MSW, LSW – August 26, 2026 – Have you ever wondered how stress affects an entire school classroom? What steps can we take to manage stress before it becomes overwhelming? And how can educators recognize stress in students and help them cope? Students today are influenced by their peers in both positive […]
By Holly Walther, MSW, LSW – August 19, 2026 – Many students struggle with self-regulation, the ability to monitor and manage their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and impulses. When a child needs support with self-regulation at school, it can be challenging to identify coping strategies within the structure of a classroom. For example, a student may […]
By Hannah Boutkan, MSW, LSW – August 13, 2026 – Children are born with an innate desire to learn, grow, and explore the world around them. As they get older, however, environmental, social, mental, and emotional factors can affect that motivation, especially when it comes to school and everyday responsibilities. While adults cannot force a […]
By Missy Johnson, MSW, LCSW – August 5, 2026 – Last spring, as a Youth First Mental Health Professional working in several schools, I received several referrals to support students – of all ages – who felt nervous and worried about storms. Weather events like tornadoes, strong winds, and heavy rain can be very scary for […]
By Shannon Loehrlein, MSW, LCSW – July 29, 2026 – Many of us remember the days when we spent hours playing outside and didn’t come home until dinner. We had the freedom to explore our neighborhoods, make friends, and solve problems on our own. Today, many parents understandably hesitate to give their children that same […]