BOOST is turning 15! As we approach our 15-year anniversary, we are reminded of how much we value and appreciate our TEAMBOOST partners and want to share their stories – their journeys through the in and out-of-school time field, their goals and aspirations, a few fun things about them, and some of the amazing things they are doing in their communities.
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We will be spotlighting our BOOST Bloggers, Ambassadors, Leadership Team members, and Partners weekly through the end of the year to thank our wonderful team members for their contributions to our incredible community!
Get to Know TEAMBOOST Member Chloe Dorworth
Chloe is a School Social Worker at the Chula Vista Elementary School District, in Chula Vista, CA. Chloe has been a BOOSTer with us since 2014!
How did you enter the OST, expanded learning, and/or educational field?
As the daughter of a school teacher, I have grown up in the education field as I spent many summers volunteering in my mom’s classroom. I have always desired to work in the same field as my mom, just in a different capacity. In 2012, when Tia became my mentor, I was excited to learn and better understand how the OST, expanded learning, and educational field thrive when collaborating together. I appreciated (and still do) seeing how our work intertwines with one another and wanted to help support those who support our students (at all capacity levels).
When I completed the academic requirements for my Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree, I also completed two internships. My first year internship was in an Alternatives to Detention program supporting high school students, and the second year supporting at an elementary school. Now, I work at the same school that I interned at.
What motivates you to do this work?
At the end of the day, I do this work because I want to be a supportive role model and advocate for the needs of my students (alongside and on their behalf). I want to support them as early in their education as possible so that they know someone that will always support them Seeing students who once were apprehensive in confiding in and talking to an adult about their feelings to now feeling safe, valued, loved, and heard by a trusted adult is, ultimately, what motivates me to do this work. As a school social worker, my biggest goal is to support and empower my students.
What are you currently reading or watching?
Currently, I am reading Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro!
Share some of your greatest accomplishments.
One of my greatest accomplishments in my life is earning my Bachelors in Child and Adolescent Development and my Masters in Social Work with an emphasis in School Social Work with high honors. I have learned so much about myself and those around me as a result of my education.
What are some big goals you are working toward?
Professionally, my biggest long-term goal is to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Before becoming an RPT, I need to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California, so I am currently working on my clinical supervision hours to qualify for LCSW licensure.
On a personal level, my biggest goal is to develop healthier boundaries with myself (e.g., leaving work closer to contract time – not at 5 pm, being more intentional about practicing self-care, and being okay with saying “no” sometimes).
What are your top three leadership qualities?
I believe that my top three leadership qualities are empathy, care for others, and supportiveness.
Name a leader that you admire and why?
I am grateful to be surrounded by so many phenomenal leaders. One leader I especially admire is my younger sister, Zoe. At 24, she has continued to help her partner’s family restaurants survive, then thrive and grow during this COVID era. Her servant leadership, positivity, perseverance, and ultra-creative problem-solving is something admirable. I have seen that true dedication and passion in all aspects of her life.
Share an inspirational quote that resonates with you.
As a daily reminder for myself and my students, I have a Mister Rogers quote written on my counseling room whiteboard. “When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.”
As a child, what were your career aspirations?
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work in a school setting as a helping professional. Until middle school, I aspired to become a school psychologist. High school is when I finally concluded that I wanted to become a school social worker.
What causes are you passionate about?
I’m extremely passionate about mental health awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Further, I believe that we need to work together to improve the factors that go hand-in-hand with mental health, such as housing and food insecurity, and racial inequality. I also firmly believe that LGBTQIA+ support (especially youth) is suicide prevention. This is not a political, social, or emotional statement, but rather a statement that is about our students’ lives.
What is one of the highlights of your career?
One of the highlights of my career thus far is going from an MSW intern to, upon graduation, becoming the school social worker at the elementary school where I work. I could not be more grateful and excited about this!
How do you show kindness to others and/or share ways others have shown kindness to you?
I show kindness to others by actively listening to them and simply being there for them. Sometimes just sitting with others is best. I feel supported, heard, loved, and valued when others listen and/or sit with me, so I want to reciprocate that.
What career legacy do you want to leave?
I want others to feel valued, heard, respected, and loved.
What’s the biggest mistake you made on the job and what did you learn from it?
Taking on too much and not delegating tasks that could be accomplished by someone else. I’m learning how to create better boundaries for myself and learning how to say “no”.
Tell us what you had for breakfast!
This morning, I actually remembered to eat breakfast – Starbucks iced shaken espresso and bacon & gruyère egg bites.
From all of us here at TEAMBOOST, thank you, Chloe, for being a wonderful team member and for sharing your leadership with us!