My name is Celeste M. Sharper. I am the based school social worker at Beville Middle School. I have worked for Prince William County Public Schools since 2000. I have been a social worker for 20 plus years.
I am a native of Sharon, PA. I am a two-time graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC. I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Sociology from Howard School of Education in 2000 and a Master of Social Work Degree from the School of Social Work in 2002.
Initially hired by PWCS in 2000, I served as a site[1]based Behavior Specialist at Fred Lynn Middle School, under the leadership of Mr. Thomas Payne, principal. I completed my first-year Howard clinical social work internship at Alexandria City Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) in the Adoption and Foster Care units. My second-year clinical field experience as a Howard social work intern, was completed at PWCS; under the direct supervision of Christal N. Fleming, MSW (now Christal Harris). I was hired as a school social worker in the Spring of 2002 following graduation. I worked short-term for EMS Intensive In-Home Counseling Services as an intake social worker; completing home assessments to determine eligibility of services. I enjoy working out, spending quality time with family and loved ones, gardening, community service, and crafts. I/'m a devoted Christian woman of faith, empathetic listener, and strong voice and advocate for young people.
How can I help?
As a trained and experienced mental health professional, my role as school social worker is to serve as the vital link between student's home, school and the community; an advocate for all students, and a liaison for parents, to remove barriers to the learning process. I conduct parent interviews to complete sociocultural assessments as part of the special education eligibility process, participate in the multitiered leveled intervention team process; involving social and emotional trauma-related concerns, that impede the learning process; consult with school staff, administrators, students and parents to help foster supports, such as assist in the development of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), address truancy issues, or behaviors related or unrelated to school, as needed. I also provide Individualized Education Program (IEP) related counseling and non-IEP related counseling services, and participate in the crisis intervention processes, involving suicide, threat assessments, CPS referrals and manifestations determination reviews (MDR) for students. I collaborate with outside agencies to coordinate community-based services to address the needs of families, such as homelessness, food insecurity, medical insurance access, mental health supports, and other non-related school matters to help students and their family’s meet success.
My approach to social work is simple. I am a hands-on, compassionate, empathetic listener; and I'm very passionate about this work. I come from a strength-based, person-centered, and solution- focused perspective; and I seek to Engage, EmPOWER, EnCOURage and assist individuals to Evolve into the very best version of themselves. My personal mandate and purpose are to; Be WHO I needed when I was younger; howsoever that may look in the field. That means I am simply Serving 2 Impact, and the lives that are within my reach, will be on the receiving end of my very BEST efforts - always. To me, purpose transcends any career choice or discipline. #EMPATHYisaGIFT and social work is the power behind that gift to deliver hope, healing grace, and reassuring promise to those that will receive it. I look forward to working with each of you!
To initiate direct social work services, you can best reach me at 571 589-3815 or via email at [email protected]
