Field Directors

Hello Everyone,

I am reaching out because I am curious about how you go about supporting field supervisor's development. I know that there are so many instructors with a myriad of experiences as well as those that are just starting out in their field supervisor journey. Supervising social work students is not easy especially if you barely understanding the competencies students are expected to achieve.

Additionally how do you ensure field supervisors are able to support the students of today (thinking about technology, telehealth, shifts in the social work landscape, etc.). How often do you host learning sessions. Are CEUs? 

Does anyone have sample topics?

Hi Aisha,

Great question!

We do a CEU event each semester (usually 1.5 or 2 hours, depending on the topic) for our Practicum Instructors. Sometimes we bring in a guest speaker, sometimes it's myself and one of our Liaisons facilitating. Here's a smattering of topics we've done (most recent at the top of the list); happy to share materials if you email me (jsienkew@uvm.edu).

-Stories of Teaching-Learning in Turbulent Times

-Collective-Care in Challenging Times (guest speaker)

-Creativity in Competency-Based earning: Helping Students Connect their Practicum Experience to Social Work Education

-Creating a Meaningful Supervision Dynamic

-Making Meaning of Safety: Tensions and Opportunities for Ethical Practice in and Increasingly Complex Social Work World

-Integrating an Environmental Justice Lens into Social Work Practice and Field Supervision (guest speaker)

-Tools for deeper student reflection

-Engaging our students in learning that considers the power and strength of anti-oppressive and racially just practices (panel)

This Fall we'll be doing something about the intersection of SW ethics and practicum instruction; in the Spring, I'm hoping to do an exploration of neurodiversity in student learning and how to support inclusivity in practicum outside of formal accommodations.

I hope this is helpful!

Jean

Hello Everyone,

I am reaching out because I am curious about how you go about supporting field supervisor's development. I know that there are so many instructors with a myriad of experiences as well as those that are just starting out in their field supervisor journey. Supervising social work students is not easy especially if you barely understanding the competencies students are expected to achieve.

Additionally how do you ensure field supervisors are able to support the students of today (thinking about technology, telehealth, shifts in the social work landscape, etc.). How often do you host learning sessions. Are CEUs? 

Does anyone have sample topics?

Hello Everyone,

I am reaching out because I am curious about how you go about supporting field supervisor's development. I know that there are so many instructors with a myriad of experiences as well as those that are just starting out in their field supervisor journey. Supervising social work students is not easy especially if you barely understanding the competencies students are expected to achieve.

Additionally how do you ensure field supervisors are able to support the students of today (thinking about technology, telehealth, shifts in the social work landscape, etc.). How often do you host learning sessions. Are CEUs? 

Does anyone have sample topics?

Hello, Aisha!

We have set our program up to offer brief monthly face-to-face contact with practicum instructors to support them as they lead our students.
August: Instructor Orientation (6 hours ceu with 3 hours ethics)
September: 1-hour CEU luncheon
October: conduct midterm assessment at the job site
November: 1-hour CEU luncheon
December: conduct final assessment at the job site
February: 1-hour CEU luncheon
March: conduct midterm assessment at the job site
April: 1-hour CEU luncheon
May: conduct final assessment at the job site

The 4 luncheons offered each year (2 per semester) are not required, but our instructors really seem to enjoy them.
Here are the 8 topics I have done during CEU lunches over the past 2 years:
Supplementing Supervision Agendas & Adult Learning Styles
Resolving Conflict & Providing Feedback
Assertiveness in Social Work & How to Foster Assertiveness in Students
Coaching Professional Identity in Emerging Social Workers
Ethical Dilemmas in Supervision
Trauma-Informed Supervision
Cultural Humility & Inclusive Supervision
Evaluating Student Performance & Giving Difficult Feedback

Hello Everyone,

I am reaching out because I am curious about how you go about supporting field supervisor's development. I know that there are so many instructors with a myriad of experiences as well as those that are just starting out in their field supervisor journey. Supervising social work students is not easy especially if you barely understanding the competencies students are expected to achieve.

Additionally how do you ensure field supervisors are able to support the students of today (thinking about technology, telehealth, shifts in the social work landscape, etc.). How often do you host learning sessions. Are CEUs? 

Does anyone have sample topics?