March is Social Work Appreciation Month!
Detroit Prep is committed to honoring and supporting the “whole child,” meaning we focus on the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of each individual. Along with administration and teaching staff, School Social Workers work closely alongside the school team to work with students who could benefit from developing any number of skills and strategies to succeed in their learning environment.
What does a School Social Worker do?
School Social Workers (SSWs) hold a master’s degree and are trained mental health professionals, licensed through the state of Michigan. Social Workers utilize a concept called systems theory, which takes into consideration the biological, psychological, and social environmental influences on a client or community. We work as a link between home, school, and community, assisting with therapeutic interventions and providing referrals to families in need of resources.
School Social Workers:
Team up with parents, teachers, and other service providers to assess students for barriers to academic and social success, and create plans to help students address emotional, behavioral, social, or academic issues
Advocate for proper accomodations in the classroom and needs for families
Provide targeted therapy to students
Help with goal setting, planning, behavior plans, IEPs, 504s
Listen and provide support for students
Assist in dealing with a crisis
Meet our awesome Social Work team!
Ms. Aly Tetreault is enjoying her second year at Detroit Prep! She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English before spending two years serving with the AmeriCorps program, City Year Detroit. During her time working within Detroit Public Schools, she discovered a passion for supporting and empowering students and families, and making sure they receive the quality education that they deserve! Aly returned to school and graduated with her Masters in Social Work, and a Master of Arts in Educational Studies in 2019. She loves exploring Detroit, spoiling her two cats, listening to podcasts, and writing creative non-fiction in her free time. She can be reached at aly@detroitprep.org!
Welcome to Ms. Briana Quaker, our newest Social Worker! Briana is excited to start her journey as a social worker at Detroit Prep! She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She was employed at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services where she worked in child welfare and human services. During her time working at MDHHS, she realized that there was a great need for social workers to help provide resources to families in the Detroit area. In 2021 she received her Masters of Social Work from Wayne State University. Ms. Briana loves working with children and is excited to support and empower our students. She can be reached at briana@detroitprep.org!
Ms. Briana and Ms. Aly are honored to be supporting your students! If you have any Social Workers in your life, make sure to thank them for all they do this month and beyond.
