| school social work association of washington dc |
2023 DC School Social Worker of the Year
Chauntia Postell
Chauntia Postell is a licensed independent clinical social worker and a proud Prince George's County, MD native, graduating from Morgan State University with her B.S. in Psychology and obtaining her MSW degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She has over 10 years of experience providing mental health services to children and families through schools and community organizations, creating and implementing International SEL Programs in India, conducting SEL research, and founding the SEL focused non-profit organization, New Normal Academy. She is a Certified Grief and Trauma Specialist, Mindfulness Practitioner and Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator. Currently, she serves as a Mental Health Practitioner at KIPP DC: The Learning Center working specifically with Pre-K4-third grade students with special needs including intellectual disability, autism, traumatic brain injury, Down syndrome, and more.
Chauntia has dedicated her life to empowering all people through a healing – centered, holistic, and proactive approach. She truly believes that people do not need to be “fixed”, but need to be empowered through tools, strategies, resources, and support BEFORE stressors occur, and has made it her mission to do that through as many avenues as possible.
Here are some selections from the words of Chauntia's nominator, Principal Michael Cordell: "She is so talented and caring which I am sure most candidates will have but what makes her unique is that she is always adding to her skill set and influence at KIPP DC. Chauntia after two years was doing amazing work and supporting 4 year olds through middle school. She then transitioned to supporting 3 year olds to 4th grade with a focus on medically fragile students, students with intellectual disabilities and then she was in a severe car accident and the pandemic hit. Since then she has worked incredibly hard to overcome the injury to her back and through that experience has learned additional knowledge and skills that help all staff and students at KIPP DC. She is leading an effort to improve everyone's wellness by creating a wellness space for staff. … She has helped us achieve an 80 percent staff retention rate working with the most challenging students at KIPP DC and during a time when everywhere else attrition has become a major issue...This is my 27th year working in schools and Ms. Postell impressed me early on with her willingness to jump into new areas of focus, but the biggest impact is her ability to advocate for kids who rarely receive the advocacy they deserve. She has helped KIPP DC serve more students in a less restrictive setting. She has pushed back against me in the best ways possible…She is a model for all of Washington, DC."
In her acceptance speech, Chauntia thanked God, family and friends, and her school team, particularly her school's principal for supporting her advocacy, creativity, and growth. In addition, she noted three things have become necessary for her work as a school social worker: being fully present, being who the students need now, and being her authentic self. She stated, "Following these principles has helped me to remain passionate, impactful, as well as at peace in the work I am doing. Something that we often sacrifice to do heartwork."
Listen to opening remarks by Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon and Chauntia's speech (Minute 11:40) here
Read Chauntia's remarks in full here
We also honor nominees Elizabeth Fife (DCPS: H.D. Cooke Elementary) and Andie Solomon (KIPP DC: Spring Academy).
2022 DC School Social Work of the year
Sarah Ross
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Sarah Sullivan Ross, LGSW, is the school social worker for Lee Montessori Public Charter School - East End. She has been working with students and families in the school setting for nine years, beginning her career in 2012 as a special education teacher in Bronx public high schools. She holds a BA from Yale University, a Master’s of Science in Education from Hunter College, and her MSW from Howard University. In addition to providing direct services to the students and families at Lee, Sarah creates and directs the primary-grade SEL curriculum. She also leads the primary anti-bias/anti-racist curriculum writing team. She is currently working towards her clinical license and play therapy credentials and believes in the power of communities to uplift and empower one another, as well as the duty of institutions such as schools to extend social capital and diminish structural barriers.
Sarah’s nominator Chris Pencikowski, Executive Director of Lee Montessori Public Charter School, stated, “Sarah tirelessly supports children at Lee Montessori -- everything she does is focused on making life better for them…And as a leader of Lee Montessori, Sarah holds me accountable for making decisions that are in the best interests of the children we serve -- she exudes all of our core values (equity, growth, bravery, grace, and joy), but epitomizes bravery in her willingness to have difficult conversations.”
In her acceptance speech, Sarah thanked the professionals who supported her on her path to school social work and called for supporting student identity development: “Building space for positive identity development now not only strengthens our students’ resilience, but also gives them a strong foundation to be upstanders in the future. This work feels especially vital at a time when too many shun difficult and necessary conversations.”
Listen to Sarah's speech and our 2022 State of SSWA DC Address
Read Sarah's speech in full here
We also honor Erica Cartledge, LICSW, nominee for 2022 DC School Social Worker of the Year. Erica earned her BSW from VCU and has practiced school social work since earning her masters from Howard University in 2005. Erica spent the last 10 years of her career at Roosevelt High School, and her favorite evidenced based treatment is EMDR. She finds joy in watching her students reach their goals and contributes to her profession by holding the SSWA DC Board position of Membership Coordinator.
Erica was nominated by Quinn Flowers, her Roosevelt colleague and friend for 10 years. In Quinn’s words: “Erica goes above and beyond her call of duty for all students and families. This 21-22 SY presented our most challenging time returning to in-person from virtual learning. She's met every student where they are at with care. She also extends herself with being the Chairman on the LSAT(Local School Advisory Team) committee, as well as holding a position with SSWA DC. Erica works tirelessly to effect change and create a lasting impact on those around her. She leads with love, and empathy. She understands and shows grace to those in need. Erica is also a powerful advocate for support services needed in order to ensure students thrive in school.”
2020 DC School Social Worker of the Year AND 2021 National School Social Worker of the Year
Originally from Syracuse, New York, Quinn Flowers earned a Bachelor of Science in child development from Syracuse University and a Master of Social Work from
Howard University's School of Social Work. She subsequently held positions as a social worker in the foster care, psychiatric inpatient, and community outreach settings,
as well as provided teletherapy for military personnel.
With nearly 10 years as a school social worker at Roosevelt High School, Quinn has been the recipient of multiple Harambee Awards, given to those who exemplify the motto
“pulling together” to support students and families. In March 2018, she was featured in the National Association of Black Social Workers campaign showcasing Black social workers.
Quinn also gives back to the profession through her position as a Regional Site Coordinator for the Just Keep Livin Foundation; a non-profit foundation committed to the health and
well-being of high school students. Quinn has taught courses at Catholic University of America and has facilitated numerous professional development trainings for the
District of Columbia Public Schools. She holds clinical licenses in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC and is certified as a child and adolescent trauma professional.
Quinn is currently training to become credentialed in play therapy.
During her acceptance speech, Quinn encouraged SSWA DC members and partners in school mental health to take action. "Let us embrace our mission as school social workers to
equip ourselves and our colleagues with the tools to dismantle systemic racism and other forms of oppression and build systems of inclusion and equity.
Let us push for equitable policies that give our students and their families opportunities to live their best and healthiest lives possible."