For Social Work Month, we went behind the scenes with Summit Academy’s amazing social workers and counselors. We asked them what they like most about social work and counseling, why they enjoy working for Summit Academy and what attracted them to their profession. We discovered a common theme among them, a desire to help others.
Stephanie Barnes, BSW, LSW
Behavior Specialist
Summit Academy Middle School – Akron
The most satisfying aspect of my job is being able to make a difference for our students. I enjoy teaching them life skills and helping them work through difficult experiences. I also enjoy celebrating exciting moments with our students, especially when they have done something they are proud of themselves for.
What I like most about working at Summit is the staff and the students. I wake up every day excited to go to work.
I got into social work because I wanted to help others. I enjoy the fact that you can work in many different areas with a social work degree.
Laurie Dunning, MSW, LISW
Community Resource Coordinator
Summit Academy Community School – Cincinnati
What is the most satisfying aspect of your job? I love getting to work with the families of the students to meet needs outside of school.
What do you like most about working at Summit Academy? I’ve worked in two Summit schools and both my teammates and principals have helped me grow professionally. They have also been sources of encouragement through life trials, both professionally and personally.
What attracted you to your profession? My grandmother always told me I was a helper and encourager. With social work I could highlight those qualities.
Erica Kiphart, MSW, LSW
Behavior Specialist
Summit Academy Secondary School – Middletown
What is the most satisfying aspect of your job? Seeing active changes in the students as they mature and grow.
What do you like most about working at Summit Academy? I wanted to be in education but not be a number. I felt staff have a bigger opportunity to impact the students because there is a smaller tight-knit community built with staff and students.
What attracted you to your profession? Social work for myself has always made sense. I like having a positive and healing impact on people, situations and environments that may have been disempowered or mistreated.
Tiffany Newman, BSW, LSW
Behavior Specialist
Summit Academy Community School – Middletown
The most satisfying aspect of my job is watching students grow and progress in academic, social and communication skills as well as being able to see past Summit students be successful in their young adult lives by furthering their education to getting jobs and starting families. Being close and connected with the students, families and our community is also a very satisfying part of my job.
The thing I like most about working at Summit Academy is collaboration and the feeling of family. I have been here for 13 almost 14 years and have had many co-workers but the feeling of family is always present.
What attracted me most to my profession is wanting to help others. In all my years as a social worker I have always wanted to help others. Supporting others through both difficult and exciting times in their lives is all I have ever wanted to do.
Rebecca St. Clair, BSW, LSW
Behavior Specialist
Summit Academy Community School – Columbus
What pulled me to the social work field was my passion for community and helping others. Many people join the social work field because of life experiences. My role as a social worker allows me to be the positive outlet that I always desired as a child.
The most enjoyable aspect about my job is the students I work with. I love getting to know my students and their unique individual personalities and being a part of their journey. I get to watch them grow into the best versions of themselves and it’s inspiring. I love being able to provide a safe and welcoming environment where our students can thrive.
What I like most about my work at Summit Academy is the way I am able to support the school as a whole. I enjoy being able to educate teachers about best practices for our unique group of students while also instilling the skills into our students so they can feel confident in themselves while they learn. Through my role as a behavior specialist and licensed social worker I have the opportunity to work closely with students throughout their day and with families when needs arise. There is no greater feeling than being able to strengthen connections with families and watching students succeed beyond measure.
Katelyn “Katie” Thompson, MSW, LSW
Performance Coach
Summit Academy Secondary School – Middletown
The most satisfying aspect of my job is watching students succeed in school. Hearing their back story, of why their previous school(s) did not work, to now thriving at our school, is something indescribable. Watching them feel like they have a place where they belong and are loved is something that every person should experience.
Building trusting relationships with students is something I enjoy doing. Being invested in their lives and caring about them is so crucial to the success of our students. Watching students graduate and accomplish something they have been working toward their whole life brings so much joy. If it wasn’t for the Summit, many students would not be as successful as they are!
The thing I like most about working at Summit Academy is how we are all family; staff and students. We all have each other’s back and have the same vision/passion toward the success of our school.
What attracted you to your profession? Growing up, I knew I wanted to work in a school system but was undecided if I wanted to be a teacher. I really enjoy helping others, so I knew I wanted to go into a helping profession. The more I researched social work, the more I realized it would be a great fit!
Kim Wanosky, MA, LPCC-S
Behavior Specialist
Summit Academy School – Lorain
The most satisfying aspect of my job is building relationships with our kids. When they have that “ah ha” moment and are able to walk away from a situation or use a coping skill, you know that you’re having an impact on them. Seeing the growth they make year to year is so incredible to watch and be a part of.
What do you like most about working at Summit Academy? Our students and staff. I am so thankful to get to work with such incredible kids and a staff that cares about them so much.
I knew I wanted to work with kids and was drawn to the field of counseling in order to help those that have to deal with difficult situations. I love working in schools and all of our different students.
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For Social Work Month, and always, thank you Catherine Anderson, Stephanie Barnes, Kim Beisel, Chandler Crable, Julie Creel, Clark Cretella, Jaime Curtis, Laurie Dunning, Ashley Harley, Erica Kiphart, Shanna Martin, Tiffany Newman, Renee Opalich, Kim Richardson, Erica Richley-Duda, Laura Rickard, Rebecca St. Clair, Cassandra Shepherd, Katie Sittinger, Katie Thompson, Kim Wanosky and Maria Winbush, for your exceptional service to our children, families and staff members.