In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are spotlighting our current staff who support employee and student wellness.
My name is Margarete Jeffer and I am a career switcher. Initially, I received a business degree in Administration and Supervision for Culinary and Textile Arts from the College for Domestic Administration, Culinary, and Textile Arts in Germany. I then worked as a Resident Director of Business Administration and Domestic Affairs and most of our support staff were Refugees and Immigrants, battling War-Trauma, PTSD, and Mental Health issues. In my effort to support and counsel them, I realized that I needed specific training to be more effective. Therefore, I went back to school and got my Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work with focusing on clinical Psychology, Social Welfare, and Immigration. I came to Richmond as part of an exchange student program and worked with women and children in the Domestic Violence situation. Returning to Germany, I finished my degree and a year later returned to VCU to obtain my American Master’s Degree in Social Work, Planning, and Administration.
I have been working in Caroline County for over 12 years now and currently serve Bowling Green Elementary School and Caroline Middle School. I am involved in Child Study and Eligibility meetings, Risk and Threat Assessments, short term counseling sessions, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed care. I am working on different committees to improve the academic outcomes for students and support families and staff by providing and connecting students and families to resources. Now, I am reminded daily, why I became a Social Worker in the first place when working with students affected by Trauma and Mental Health issues. In my free time, I still love to use my degree in Culinary and Textile Arts. I do many home-improvement projects, reupholstering furniture, floral arrangements, and cooking for my family and friends.
This is what I do, and I appreciate what you do! #OneCaroline
