Midview Social Worker Samantha Hess was recently announced as the Ohio School Social Worker of the Year by the Ohio School Social Work Association (OSSWA). This accolade, along with the Association’s other distinguished awards – Friend of School Social Work and Champion of Children – is presented annually to individuals who make a difference in students’ lives, specifically within the field of school social work.
Hess, who has been part of Midview Local Schools for five years, initially started as a part-time social worker for Midview and Wellington Exempted Village Schools. She then transitioned to a full-time role for the Middies, providing services district-wide in her second and third years. Last school year, a second full-time school social worker was hired to enhance support for families, thanks to a grant from the Lorain County Educational Service Center. Now, Hess provides services to Midview Middle and High Schools, while Danielle Daugherty works with elementary-aged families in the district.
“Social-emotional learning is a key focus in our district’s strategic plan,” said Superintendent Dr. Bruce Willingham. “We’ve made great strides in our ability to offer support and resources to families by hiring additional social-emotional staff, strengthening outside partnerships, and securing grants. Embedding social-emotional learning into daily instruction has also been a priority for our district. By establishing a SEL Grade-level Continuum, our social-emotional curriculum evolves with our students and remains a consistent focus of their education.”
Hess’ passion for school social work stems from her dedication to forming strong relationships and fostering positive interactions with students to ensure they feel cared for and supported.
“When I talk with students, I focus on addressing the stigma surrounding mental health and emphasize the importance of seeking help,” said Hess. “My goal is to open the lines of communication about mental health, educate students on coping skills and available resources, and ensure they feel supported and not alone. I let students know that they have trusted adults here at school that they can talk to and that many students face mental health struggles and can work to cope and overcome them.”
Hess and Daugherty collaborate closely with the district’s eight school counselors, truancy officer, coordinator of student support services, and student/family liaisons to provide essential support for students’ mental health and well-being. While school counselors and social workers share some responsibilities, school social workers often work directly with families and students with intensive behaviors and needs, conducting home visits and linking them to resources for clothing, food, financial assistance, mental health services, and medical care.
“Sometimes there is a negative connotation and stigma associated with the term “social worker,” said Hess. “What I hope to help others understand is that there are many different disciplines in social work and our roles and responsibilities vary. Ultimately, our entire team of social-emotional staff here at Midview are here to offer support and positively collaborate with students and families.”
In July of 2023, Hess began serving as the President of OSSWA. She previously held the position of secretary since 2019 after graduating from Case Western University. Despite her active involvement with the Association, the award was an unexpected honor.
Hess was nominated by a fellow OSSWA board member with support from the Midview Middle and High School Counseling Departments. Each year, a committee accepts and reviews nominations for each of the Association’s three annual awards which are then officially presented to recipients at the annual Ohio School Social Work State Conference. This year, the conference is held on March 1 at The Ohio State University Marion Campus and will provide valuable training opportunities for professionals in the field.
“Outside of health class, mental health education isn’t consistently incorporated throughout a child’s educational journey and may not be discussed in every student's home,” said Hess. “At Midview, we continue to work on our social-emotional learning initiatives at all grade levels to provide opportunities for students to learn and develop important skills like self-regulation and how to express, feel, and manage emotions properly. These are lifelong skills that are invaluable for their future personal and professional lives.”