Heather Alden Pope, a social worker at EXPO Elementary School in St. Paul, has been named Social Worker of the Year by the Minnesota School Social Workers Association.
Among her accomplishments, Pope helped start Project Connection, an EXPO Elementary program that pairs at-risk students with in-school mentors. She was able to recruit 30 staff members to volunteer their time to meet with the students daily and at a structured event each month.
"Heather is the epitome of a team player," said Darren Yerama, EXPO Elementary principal. "She is an active and respected member of the staff, the school community and the biggest advocate for the students at EXPO.
"Staff regularly seek Heather's coaching to help meet the needs of our students. She is able to assimilate the school academic expectations with the needs of the child and help create an environment that allows our children to be successful."
Pope, who has been with the St. Paul School District the past 11 years, also has served as a board member, president and treasurer of the Minnesota School Social Workers Association.
Pope will be recognized this month at the Midwest Fall Conference in Indianapolis.
DAAREL BURNETTE II
Heather Alden Pope, a social worker at EXPO Elementary School in St. Paul, has been named Social Worker of the Year by the Minnesota School Social Workers Association. Among her accomplishments, Pope helped start Project Connection , an EXPO Elementary program that pairs at-risk students with in-school mentors. She was able to recruit 30 staff members to volunteer their time to meet with the students daily and at a structured event each month. "Heather is the epitome of a team player," said Darren Yerama, EXPO Elementary principal. "She is an active and respected member of the staff, the school community and the biggest advocate for the students at EXPO. "Staff regularly seek Heather's coaching to help meet the needs of our students. She is able to assimilate the school academic expectations with the needs of the child and help create an environment that allows our children to be successful." Pope, who has been with the St. Paul School District the past 11 years, also has served as a board member, president and treasurer of the Minnesota School Social Workers Association. Pope will be recognized this month at the Midwest Fall Conference in Indianapolis. Daarel Burnette II
