Monroe County, Indiana – Principals across the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) are expressing deep appreciation for the work of student services teams, highlighting the essential role social workers and counselors play in supporting students’ academic, emotional, and social well-being.
“The things that our social workers do—it blows me away on a daily basis,” said Summit Elementary School Principal Tyler Abel. “What we ask them to do goes beyond just meeting with children. They’re connecting families with resources, working through conflicts, facilitating restorative conversations with students, and providing faculty training. It’s absolutely vital.”
As students navigate the pressures of end-of-semester academics and the emotional complexities of the approaching holiday season, MCCSC’s student services teams are working tirelessly to ensure children have access to the support they need. Alexis Harmon, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment, emphasized the district’s holistic approach. “We believe physical safety, physical health, emotional health, and mental health are deeply connected, and when nurtured together, they create the foundation for learning, belonging, and thriving,” said Harmon.
All MCCSC schools employ licensed social workers, and middle and high schools include guidance counselors as part of their student services teams. These professionals collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to address student needs, provide crisis intervention, and coordinate essential resources. “It’s a partnership that’s vital,” said Dr. Taji Gibson, principal of Tri-North Middle School. “In education we’re experts in academics, but it takes an expert to know when families or students are in crisis. We count on our student services team to be that expertise, and we turn to them often.”
Social workers also connect families with community resources, such as the Backpack Buddies program, which provides students with weekend food, and the United Way School Assistance Fund, which helps cover students’ basic needs. At schools like Lakeview Elementary and Summit Elementary, social workers lead social groups, provide coping strategies, support peer interactions, and offer teacher training, ensuring the school community thrives.
“Morgan remembers every single student. She knows them, knows their family trees … that’s what you want in a social worker,” said Gibson, highlighting the dedication and empathy that define MCCSC’s student services staff. “When she saw families needed help with SNAP benefits, she took to her social media and asked people for donations. That’s empathy—she didn’t have to do that. Nobody has time to do those things, but when you care about your environment and your students and your community, that’s really impressive.”
Becky Rose, director of student services, praised the collaborative approach. “I am proud of our team of social workers, who consistently provide mental health support for our children, which is critical for their learning and well-being,” said Rose. “It’s this comprehensive, collaborative approach—where teachers, social workers, counselors, and administrators work as a unified team—that ensures students receive the support they need.”
Families interested in learning more about the comprehensive student support services at MCCSC schools can visit mccsc.edu/studentservices.
