Carrie Syvertsen Named 2020 National School Social Worker of the Year
It wasn’t your average award ceremony. Gathered in front of Robert Eagle Staff Middle School was Carrie Syvertsen MSW LICSW, about ten of her physically distanced colleagues, her family, and the Pacific Northwest rain, as she was presented the award for 2020 National School Social Worker of the Year.
Syvertsen, however, was undeterred.
“It was just wonderful to have the people surrounding me that have really lifted me up over the years, and it was an honor to celebrate and have them be with me on this journey,” she said later in her acceptance speech.
Syvertsen, a School Social Worker with Seattle Public Schools, received the award from the School Social Work Association of America, for outstanding achievement in the field of school social work.
As a school social worker, Syvertsen supports and advocates on behalf of students’ mental health within the school system. She works among a multi-disciplinary school team and leverages resources in the community to address student needs.
“I get to get up every day and do this meaningful work, and I am so grateful that I get to see these middle school faces every day, now in the hallways of Zoom and Teams,” said Syvertsen in her acceptance speech. “They help guide me and teach me to be better for them. They are my beacons of home to keep fighting, to keep striving, and to be relentless in my pursuit of equity.”
Syvertsen uses trauma-informed anti-racist practices, and conducts staff training on de-escalation, provides crisis intervention and mental health counseling, collaboration with other professionals and community agencies, social emotional learning, and advocacy for students and parents.
“Carrie is an essential member of our ground-breaking, gap closing team,” said Dr. Marni Campbell, Principal at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School. “Carrie connects with students and families, provides skills, solutions, and tools, and brings a wealth of knowledge to her daily work. She is fearless, caring, and honest in her feedback. Carrie was instrumental to the implementation of Restorative Practices at the school and works closely with staff to help support and transform their practice.”
Before joining Robert Eagle Staff, Syvertsen was one of the first three School Social Workers to join Seattle Public Schools. She started in 2007 at Chief Sealth International High School, where she worked for nine years. While there, she advocated for social workers in schools, and paved the way for 43 new School Social Worker positions in her district.
Syvertsen advocates for social workers outside of her home district, as well. As Vice President of the Washington Association of School Social Workers, she lobbied members in the Washington Legislature, culminating in the state’s first official definition of the role of the School Social Worker (2SHB1377 — Improving Students’ Mental Health by Enhancing Nonacademic Professional Services).
