Social workers are exposed to issues that are littered all over society, but putting in the work to clean them up can give one a new take on the world. Offering this unique perspective to Etowah High School is counselor and former social worker Kelly Flatt.
It is a social worker’s duty to monitor families with domestic conflict, specifically checking on their child’s physical and mental wellbeing. Essentially, a social worker must be a child’s support chain. The families they visit are in extreme conditions, and as it is hard to see a child being raised in a home that cannot support them. Social workers are often advised to have a licensed therapist they can talk to while doing the job. In her previous position as a social worker, Flatt visited houses with domestic conflict every day and was tasked to try and make a better life for their struggling children.
“I once had a child that came from a bad home. I took her for a haircut, but they refused to let her in due to her lice. It was humiliating. I was humiliated for her. That does horrible things to a child’s developing mind,” Flatt said.
While she is no longer in social work, Flatt has seen a big difference in her personality due to being such a major parental figure to kids in need. She became more empathetic to others around her, especially her children. Flatt is now able to put herself in anyone’s shoes and feel for their problems and insecurities.
“Oh, of course, [social work] has made me almost too sympathetic to my children,” Flatt said.
Flatt’s time in social work made it tempting for her to take a pessimistic view on the world, but instead she keeps an optimistic outlook. While Flatt has shifted her career to being a school administrator, she is thankful for her years in social work that have forever changed her.
“I will always be grateful for my years of social work, but I think [administration] fits me better,” Flatt said.
If oneself or a fellow student needs help, visit Flatt in room 3106.
