Nominations are now closed for the 2025 Awards. The 2025 National Awards will be presented at the 2025 National School Social Work Conference in Atlanta, Ga April 9-12.
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR
Outstanding achievement in field of school social work.
RANDY FISHER CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
A school social worker who has made significant contributions to the field. Nominees must have a variety of experiences as a school social work practitioner, educator at the university/college level, author, presenter, and/or leadership position (volunteer or employee) that spans a significant number of years. Additionally, nominees should be long-time members of state (when appropriate) and national school social work and social work associations.
BRIGHT STAR AWARD
This award recognizes a member for volunteer service to the School Social Work Association of America demonstrated through attendance at events, support of its programs, promotion of organization initiatives, and thus to the advancement of the profession.
GARY LEE SHAFFER AWARD
Faculty Member who has made significant contributions to the field of school social work.
PRESIDENT'S VOICE AWARD
This honor should be granted to an individual school social worker, state organization, or group of individuals for the outstanding contributions in this uniquely skilled profession in the areas of social media, community outreach, legislation partnership/team building and leadership that empowers as well as encourages the Voice of Advocacy.
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
SSWAA would like to recognize the author(s) of exemplary print or electronic books in the field of school social work. Books must have a copyright year of 2023-2024.
LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR
Elected official of a municipality, state or federal government that has sponsored or contributed to a policy benefitting K-12 students, school communities, or school social workers.
Award Winners: School Social Worker of the Year
2024 - Gloria Ho
2023 - Jacqueline Brown-Pinkney
2022 - Claudia McDowell
2021 - Quinn Flowers
2020 - Carrie Syvertsen
2019 - Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon
2018 - Dorann Tanner
2017 - Catheleen Schlotter
2015 - Stacy Colgan
2014 - Susanne Schroeder
2013 - Patricia Childs
2012 - Heather Alden Pope
Award Winners: Randy A. Fisher Career Achievement Award
2024 - Frederick Streeck
2023 - Marion Huxtable
2022 - Dr. Brenda Lindsey
2021 - Dr. James McCullagh
2020 - Dr. Laurel Thompson
2019 - Kathleen Armenta
2018 - Corrine Anderson-Ketchmark
2017 - Dr. Michelle Alvarez
2015 - Donna Secor-Pennington and Beverly Van Dyke
2014 - Dr. Joseph Gianesin
2013 - Marianne Pennekamp
2012 - Randy Fisher
Award Winners: Gary Lee Shaffer Award for Academic Contributions to the Field of School Social Work
2024 - Aaron Thompson
2023 - Dr. Leticia Villarreal Sosa
2022 - Dr. Summer Woodside
2021 - Dr. Kevin Tan
2020 - Dawn Anderson-Butcher
2019 - Robert Runcie
2018 - Dr. Susan Elswick
2017 - Dr. Cynthia Franklin
2016 - Dr. Jim Raines
2015 - Dr. Michael Kelly
2014 - Dr. Carol Massat
2013 - Dr. Michelle Alvarez
2012 - Dr. Natasha Bowen
2011 - Dr. Martell Teasley
2010 - Dr. Andy Frey
Award Winners: President's Voice Award
2024 - Daniel McCarthy
Award Winners: SSWAA Book Award
2024 - Beyond the Behavior Contract by Brett Novick
2023 - Ruta AprendÉxito: Guía para el éxito escolar desde la etapa preescolar; By Dr. Nancy Vianna
2022 - The Art of Becoming Indispensable; By Tory Cox, Terence Fitzgerald, and Michelle Alvarez
2020 - Creating Trauma Informed Schools; By Christine Sabatino and Eileen Dombo
2019 - Welcoming Practices Creating Schools That Support Students and Families in Transition; By Ron Avi Astor, Linda Jacobson, Stephani Wrable, Rami Benbenishty, Diana Pineda
2018 - Mapping And Monitoring Bullying And Violence Building A Safe School Climate; By: Ron Avi Astor And Rami Benbenishty
2017 - School Social Work National Perspectives On Practice In Schools; Edited By: Leticia Villarreal Sosa, Tory Cox, And Michelle Alvarez
2015 - Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource For The Transgender Community; Edited By: Laura Erickson-Schroth
2012 - Response To Intervention: A Guide For School Social Workers; Edited By: James Clark And Michelle Alvarez
Award Winners: Legislator of the Year
2024 - Governor Katie Hobbs (Arizona)
2023 - Dr. Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education
2022 - Rep. Michelle Mussman
2021 - Congresswoman Barbara Lee
2019 - Senator Bill Nelson
2018 - Senator Sherrod Brown
2017 - Gov. Brian Sandoval
2015 - Senator Al Franken
2013 - Senator Patty Murray
2011 - Rep. Gwen Moore
2024 Awardees
President's Voice Award - Daniel McCarthy
Randy A. Fisher Career Achievement Award - Frederick Streeck
School Social Worker of the Year - Gloria Ho
Book Award - "Beyond the Behavior Contract" By Brett Novick
Gary Lee Shaffer Award - Dr. Aaron Thompson
Legislator of the Year Award - Katie Hobbs