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Megan Jackson helps Burke School students overcome trauma, mental health challenges, and other barriers that can disrupt their education.
Jackson, a school social worker at the alternative learning center, supports students individually and in groups while also assisting families, mentoring colleagues, and contributing to school improvement efforts. Her work earned her recognition as a finalist for Outstanding Professional Employee of the Year at last year’s Honors Ceremony.
Principal Thomas Sweet said Jackson’s influence reaches beyond the conventional responsibilities of a school social worker. He praised her ability to support students with significant trauma and described her knowledge of social-emotional learning and crisis intervention as invaluable to the school.
A colleague credited Jackson with helping students build the skills needed to transition into less restrictive learning environments and participate actively in their communities.
Jackson also connects families with community services and emphasizes their involvement in students’ education. One award nomination came from a parent whose child was coping with grief and mental health struggles.
The parent said Jackson quickly earned the student’s trust and became one of the people the child wanted to contact while receiving residential mental health treatment. Jackson remained warm and supportive while maintaining professional boundaries, the parent said.
When the student prepared to return to school, Jackson stayed available to the family during the summer. The parent credited her assistance with helping the child successfully enter eighth grade and move from a small, clinically supportive setting into a school serving nearly 1,000 students.
Sweet said Jackson’s optimism and relationship-building have had a ripple effect across Burke School, allowing her to approach difficult situations with empathy and effectiveness.
Social workers tackle barriers across FCPS
Fairfax County Public Schools social workers assess social, emotional, and behavioral issues that may prevent students from succeeding. Each social worker is assigned to one or two schools, holds a Master of Social Work degree, and is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education.
Their responsibilities include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, suicide-risk and threat assessments, and participation in meetings addressing students’ academic, behavioral, and mental health needs. They may also help determine eligibility for special education or Section 504 services.
Social workers assist students returning after an illness or disciplinary absence through Out-of-School Support services and the Return to Learn process. They also serve as links among families, schools, community organizations, and programs offered through the Children’s Services Act.
That work can include responding to poverty, chronic absenteeism, trauma, child abuse, and homelessness, as well as supporting military-connected students.
Across the division, social work staff coordinate Sibshop classes for siblings of students with disabilities and Parent Project courses focused on managing challenging behavior. They also train school employees in trauma-informed classroom practices and lead efforts such as mental wellness screenings, Check & Connect mentoring, and school resource fairs.