Maryjane is a School Social Worker at Bloomington High School South in Bloomington, IN. Maryjane has been with Bloomington High School South since 2021. Prior to becoming a School Social Worker, Maryjane worked in various educational and community based settings within her community. These settings include Indiana University, The Department of Veterans Affairs, Bloomington Hospital, Milestones Clinical and Health Resources, Debra Corn Agency, Partners in Housing Development Corporation, and NAMI Indiana. What amazing contributions to the field of social work!
"The social worker has a unique role in collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders...students, parents, community resources, administrators, security staff, health office staff, and more. Maryjane is adept at relating to all of these stakeholders and connecting people and resources in a way that best advantages students. In addition to being an excellent collaborator, she has spearheaded several new initiatives at our school!" (Jaime Miller, Assistant Principal of Bloomington High School South)
Maryjane was nominated for this award by her Assistant Principal, Jaime Miller. Ms. Miller had many wonderful things to say about Maryjane. She shared, "Students and staff consistently describe Maryjane as kind, compassionate, and authentic. Maryjane is known as student-driven, providing nonjudgmental support to all students. Our students, families, and staff are all better off because of her."
In addition to the very kind words about Maryjane, she has also started many new initiatives at her school. These initiatives include partnering with the local Boys and Girls Club to provide student support services, revamping curriculum for student anxiety and depression support groups, weekly student support group with community mentors, partnering with health services and community providers to offer vaping cessation support, and bringing The Body Project workshop to Bloomington High School South.
When speaking about community stakeholders (including students, parents, community resources, administrations, security staff, health office staff), Ms. Miller shared, “Maryjane is adept at relating to all of these stakeholders and connecting people and resources in a way that best advantages students.” Ms. Miller also shared that, “Students and staff consistently describe Maryjane as kind, compassionate, and authentic,” and, “She seems to always know the right words to use when students are in need, no matter how stressful or hectic the situation.” As one staff person shared, “...She seems to always know the right words to use when students are in need, no matter how stressful or hectic the situation. She is so inherently calming and soothing in the way she approaches people that I often find myself going to her office to see her when I could just pick up the phone, as she unknowingly helps us as adults in the building cope as well.” Maryjane is generous to all with her care, support, and wisdom. Ms. Miller stated in her nomination letter that she could not name someone more deserving of this recognition.
Congratulations again to Maryjane McNabb! She is truly a deserving recipient of the 2024 Indiana School Social Worker of the Year Award!
