School Social Worker Internships

Kayla Banks (2023 - 2024)

Interning with CCSD 5 during the 2023–2024 school year was a deeply meaningful experience, especially as someone who grew up in this district. It gave me the opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape who I am today. I learned how to support and advocate for students—just as others once did for me. Through this internship, I was introduced to a wide range of support systems and advocacy networks within education, which deepened my understanding of school communities and the importance of equity and student voice. This experience not only strengthened my commitment to service and education but also helped me discover my passion for school social work.

Sarah Lindquist (2007 - 2008)

I had the wonderful experience of being a social work intern in Cherry Creek School District. The supervisor I was matched with was a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the school social work field and quickly inspired me to seek a career in this field. The individual supervision I received included learning how to administer social/emotional assessments, how to write and develop goals and determine services on an IEP, how to evaluate for 504 plans, how to develop effective targeted groups and to deliver appropriate social/emotional curriculum to students. I was also able to gain a sense for what types of interventions to put in place for students based on their specific need and the significance of the impact on their education. The best part of my internship was getting to see my supervisor in her role, modeling classroom interventions, small groups, and IEP meetings, and then sharing these responsibilities until at the end of the year, I was able to conduct these duties on my own independently, which is the goal of every intern and supervisor. The relationship I developed with my supervisor still stands up today and I still call her to consult about difficult cases and situations where I trust and value her expertise. My internship also provided me with professional development including learning the importance or Equity work, which other districts were not prioritizing or discussing at that time. I cannot say enough about how much my internship in CCSD set me up for a career of success as first a school social worker for many years and now as a Mental Health Coordinator for CCSD. Our internship program is thoughtful, robust, and an example of the core values of growth mindset and relationships that our district values and embodies.