Gabi and Paula converse about her career trajectory, starting out as a foster care social worker, transitioning to Founding Social Worker & Director of Social Services at Mott Haven Academy Charter School and involvement with launching a program at NYU Silver School of Social Work designed specifically to train school social workers. She highlights need for specialized training for school social workers, noting the complexity of their roles and the lack of consistent support. They emphasized the importance of community, data utilization, and professional development as well as discussed the challenges of advocating for oneself in the school system and the need for increased quality professional development opportunities.

Guest Bio:
Gabriella McBride, LCSW, DSW, earned her MSW degree from CSSW in 2006 and DSW from NYU in 2023. Following a supervisory role at New York Foundling, she joined Mott Haven Academy Charter School in 2009, where she served as a Founding Social Worker and the Director of Social Services until 2021. Gabriella has supervised MSW students since 2007 and has taught as an adjunct faculty member at NYU Silver since 2016. Gabriella's teaching is influenced by critical pedagogy, aiming to transform social work practice both within the classroom and in practicum placements. Gabriella's doctoral capstone was on using simulation in social work education and dialogic pedagogy in classrooms as an anti-racist teaching practice. Currently, Gabriella is involved with launching the School Social Work Training Academy at NYU Silver School of Social Work, a program dedicated to training school social workers serving youth and families in New York City. Gabriella is also a proud mama of two beautiful children.

Contact/Socials
Email: gc85@nyu.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-mcbride-6a73b069/

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Jaran shines a light on his experiences as a Functional Family Therapist and discusses some of the challenges he has observed in his work with youth and families, particularly during the early days of the pandemic, highlighting rising truancy and violence among youth. He reflects on the impact of societal and personal expectations as well as the value of self-compassion and creating safe spaces to foster growth and reflection.

Guest Bio:
Jaran David Manzanet, MSW is from The Bronx and is now a resident of Harlem. He works as a Functional Family Therapist, helping youths between the ages of 11-18 build support systems with family members and their communities. He has been in Social Service since 2014 and has helped on Community Board projects for Harlem’s District 10. Currently awaiting to retake the License Exam, Jaran David is also deciding on the best options for continuing education in the field of social work.

Contact/Socials:
Email: jmanzanet@fordham.edu
Instagram: atlasrum_87
X: @atlasrum

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Paula is joined by an awesome panel of dedicated social workers Ancy, Cindy, and Emily who discuss the origins and impact of their annual retreat for school social workers and youth mental health providers. The retreat, which began in March 2024, aims to address burnout, provide continuing education units, and foster community among professionals. Despite personal challenges, such as health issues and grief, the organizers emphasized the importance of collaboration and self-care as well as the significant positive changes identified by participants. The next retreat is scheduled for March 2025, with a focus on the youth mental health crisis.

Contact/Socials:
Ancy & Cindy
Email: velocityvisions@gmail.com
Website: www.velocityvisionsinc.com

Emily
Email: emily.george@nyu.edu
Instagram: emg.sw.ed
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-george-lcsw-ms-ed-a4b4ab88/

Retreat, Remix, Revive
Email: retreatremixrevive@gmail.com
Instagram: retreatremixrevive
More Info & Waitlist: bit.ly/retreatremixrevive

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