Joan Conti

2018 Ruth Schwartz
School Social Worker of the Year Awardee

 Joan Conti was selected as the 2018 New York State School Social Workers’ Associations’ recipient of the Ruth Schwartz School Social Worker of the Year Award.

"As a school social worker, committed to working with children and families, they 'don't come better'. Joan is the consummate professional, navigating broken systems to exact the "positive" outcome that so many of our families need.  She is compassionate, caring and kind.  These three words I've used to describe her rally resonate through the very personal approach she takes to nurturing relationships with people".

"Since Joan joined the Pupil Services team in 1998, she has worked with students across all grade levels but primarily at the high school level.  She initiated a student club early on entitled 'Challenge' which assisted students in becoming positive role models for others.  In addition, the Challenge organization seeks to grow students as they embrace social issues, find purpose in the development of a common case and exact a positive response or solution together as a team."  "Joan's involvement with the Challenge group, led to the development of the Gay-Straight Alliance at the high school level, giving students within the LGBTQ community and outlet of support as well as acceptance."

"Joan has a commitment to the profession of social work, not only in her life-long practice of working with children and families, but in her desire to nurture those interested in social work, into hone their skills practically.  Joan takes interns annually from the University of Buffalo, involving them in all aspects of the school social worker realm."   "In 2000, Joan was instrumental in leading the district wide diversity initiative with a full day event entitled:  'One World, Many Voices' and drew awareness to the plight of the homeless with an event which ran 20 years, entitled 'Sleepout for the Homeless', raising monies for the Friends of the Night organization and the Buffalo City Mission.  

"Over the course of Joan's tenure at Cheektowaga Central [since 1988], she has been on the cutting edge of new strategies and philosophies which have made their way into the educational mantra of our district."  Joan has worked with William Glasser, has partnered with the Institute of Restorative Practices and sits on the Executive Committee for Trauma Informed Care in Schools at Cheektowaga Central S.D. in partnership with the University of Buffalo.  

"Joan follows mindfulness practices, is a fan of 'laughter yoga' and seeks actively to improve the health and well-being of all students.  It is her priority to help students define themselves and lead a life of purpose.  It is this commitment to every child, day or night that makes her have such a powerful impact on so many lives.   She is a passionate social worker, a dedicated and loving mother to her son, and devoted friend and colleague to many."   

Gretchen Sukdolak, Director of PPS, Cheektowaga Central School District

Award presented by Peg Barrett & Tim Hummell

Joan Conti with Cheektowaga Central SD Admins  

The Ruth Efron Schwartz School Social Worker of the Year Award is awarded to a School Social Worker who exemplifies the qualities that Ruth Schwartz exemplified throughout her career as a School Social Worker. Ruth Schwartz believed in the importance of School Social Workers. She believed in helping the children and families in her care. Ruth often went the extra mile, including delivering coal to family’s homes when needed. Ruth was a founding member of NYSSSWA. She was responsible for picking the organization’s colors-blue to encourage students to reach for the sky, and white to encourage School Social Workers to be pure and true in their work with children. The award is given to a School Social worker who is both dedicated to helping the children and families in their care and to promotion of the profession of School Social Worker.