For my Child and Family Studies Field Period I decided to give back to my own community. As a former graduate of Lake Shore, I got in touch with my old school. I was able to complete my Field Period with the Lake Shore Central School District Family Support Center. I worked with the district's social workers, observing their daily schedules, organizing events, and collaborating with agencies they are partnered with to help spread awareness throughout the Lake Shore and western New York community. 

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I had the opportunity to work with many different social workers across the district, in the elementary schools, middle school, and high school. I completed numerous tasks during my time spent with the Family Support Center. One of the highlights of my experience was working with one of the elementary social workers, Meghan, during the last two weeks of my Field Period. One of the responsibilities of this social worker is to complete SEL (social emotional learning) push-ins. I was able to assist with these push-ins for a short period of time. We visited every classroom within the elementary school discussing with the students about assertive communication. We spoke to kindergarteners up to fifth graders about how to ask questions assertively when you need help. Throughout the school year, Meghan will continue to do SEL push-in lessons. The next one she will complete will be about Erin’s Law, helping identify sexual abuse. I believe I was able to complete these SEL push-in lessons very well. I feel that the children have a better understanding of assertive communication and know how to ask for help effectively. 

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While completing my field period I feel that there is one thing that I could have done differently. For the first half of my Field Period I was not gaining much experience in the social work field. I was given projects to complete and was not actively shadowing the social workers. Some of the projects I worked on were making a brochure that detailed what the Family Support Center does and its participating partners in the community. I also created bulletin boards with the same information at the schools so individuals know about the Family Support Center. Another project I completed was organizing their Family Fun Walk, a fundraising event meant to connect families with resources in the community. Although I enjoyed these activities and was happy to assist them in any way I could, I really wanted to get more out of this experience. After I finished organizing the Family Fun Walk, I had a meeting with my supervisor and told her of my concerns. I communicated my objectives and said that I would really like to be completing my Field Period in a different way. After I talked with her and told her the things I would like to experience she contacted the other social workers. This is when I was able to shadow and observe Meghan, one of the elementary school social workers, and assist her with her daily schedules. One of the things I would have done differently and am disappointed in myself for is I should have talked to my supervisor sooner to get the experience I needed. The advice I would give my future self is to always communicate what you want and need. Do not wait until it may be presented to you, if you are struggling with something or are not getting what you want you need to state that to those who can help. 

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There are many things that I have learned throughout my Field Period. Although I enjoyed my experience I have learned that being a school social worker or school counselor is not what I want to do for my future career. I am grateful for this opportunity and immensely enjoyed my time spent there and everything it has taught me, but it has helped me decide what I do not want to do for the rest of my life. I have made use of this opportunity by building connections with those in my community and creating relationships with those I might possibly work with in the future if I do decide to do something along this path of work.

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From a developmental and ecological perspective, this experience has affected my development. I have met many individuals throughout my Field Period experience. I have built connections with some of these individuals which has broadened my ecological systems. I was able to spend a day with an individual from Western New York United, she was a prevention specialist and she ended up being my neighbor. One of the days I was at the middle school I met a school counselor and then found out she was the counselor of a little girl I did my last Field Period with. These people I ended up working with were already connected to me somehow or I was able to use some of these connections to widen my microsystem, mesosystem, and exosystem. Overall, these connections I have made have affected my development in a positive way by expanding my reach in this field which may present me with more opportunities in the future. Knowing and working with these individuals I was able to put myself out there and network with people who may be a part of my experiences in the future.

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My advice for future students completing a field period is to make the most of it. Make sure you communicate with your field supervisor and let them know if there are still things you wish to experience that they can help with. This is your Field Period and you must make sure you are getting everything you need out of it.