W. D. Williams Elementary

The week of March 7 we celebrate National School Social Worker Week in Buncombe County Schools (BCS). Across the entire district, we have amazing social workers that pour their hearts into each and every student.

“The social workers at BCS all do a wonderful job,” said Social Worker Stephanie Jones. “They are superheroes with the way they care about the kids.”

Mrs. Jones is the social worker for Black Mountain Elementary, Black Mountain Primary, and W.D. Williams Elementary. Many of her colleagues know her as the self proclaimed ‘Resident Rockstar’ - and it’s clear to see why.

“I am here for the children, and want to help make their day as productive as it can be,” she said. “I tell kids daily that I am here to make your day better.”

From talking with Mrs. Jones you can see that she pours herself into helping and building up every student she comes in contact with.

“I love what I do, because I love kids,” she explained. “I am a strong believer in public education. If we pour into them [students] we reap a great harvest.”

Mrs. Jones has been with BCS for 17 years. She started her career by working as a Title I assistant, and from there she worked at A.C. Reynolds High School in the counseling department. During that time she decided she wanted to go back to college to become a school social worker.

“The kids are the best part of this job,” she said. “I have a feeling that what I do has an impact on the students. There would be no reason for me to be here if I didn’t impact a child’s life for the better.”

Over the course of time, Mrs. Jones has devoted a lot of time with the students that walk the halls. Her diligent work for BCS has landed her a new role as well. She is the new Vice President for the North Carolina School Social Worker Association (NCSSWA). Mrs. Jones is now going above and beyond for all students in North Carolina.

“As an adult, I can think back to when I was a kid in school, and the faces that stand out to me,” said Mrs. Jones. “It’s the teachers that met me with a smile in the morning the day after my dog died, or the teacher that took the time to help me read. Now I get to be that liaison for students and families, because we don’t always stay in those tough days. The tough days can bury us if we don’t have a way to get out. I feel like my role is to help people through their tough days.”