For Kathleen Vitt, the path to becoming a school social worker began at home.
Raised in a family grounded in social justice, she learned early on the importance of giving back. “I grew up volunteering and being engaged in my community,” Vitt said. “Those teachings really stuck with me.”
Today, Vitt carries those values into her role as a school social worker in the Pembina Trails School Division, supporting students from early years to high school. Her work is rooted not only in her upbringing, but also in her identity, as a queer woman and a member of the Red River Métis Nation.
“I feel deep gratitude for the people who came before me,” she said. “They paved the way so my family and I can live the life we do. I feel a responsibility to carry that work forward, to make sure students can be exactly who they are and feel a sense of belonging.”
That commitment to authenticity shapes how Vitt shows up in schools every day. Whether it’s speaking openly about her wife and children or sharing her journey as a Métis person, she knows representation matters.
“When students see someone living authentically, it creates space for them to do the same,” she explained. “It opens the door for young people to explore who they are, especially if their identities have been shaped by complex experiences.”
No two days look the same for a school social worker. On any given day, Vitt might support a student who’s struggling with attendance, meet with families, provide one-on-one counselling, or coordinate services and resources with outside agencies. She also supports the division’s Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) training team, helping assess and respond to high-risk situations, including threatening or violent behaviour, with care and intention. But at its heart, school social work is all about connection.
“We’re here to help students and families navigate difficult situations,” Vitt said. “Whether it’s mental health challenges, loss, or systemic barriers, our goal is to walk alongside them and keep them connected to school.”
That connection can be life changing. Vitt recalls some of her most meaningful moments attending graduation ceremonies for students who once struggled to stay in school.
“Seeing them come out on the other side, stepping into adulthood, it’s incredible,” she said. “It reminds you that the work matters.”
In a world that can feel uncertain, Vitt finds hope in the young people she works with.
“We have an opportunity to help shape a generation with purpose and hope,” she said. “That’s what keeps me passionate about my role.”
Vitt also believes small, everyday actions can have a big impact on school environments. A calm regulated adult presence. A genuine check-in with a student and the willingness to keep reaching out, even when students seem distant.
“Sometimes students who have experienced trauma might come across as guarded or even push people away,” Vitt explained. “But that’s often a way of protecting themselves. If we keep showing up, with patience and care, they notice. And eventually, they begin to trust.”
For Vitt, being a school social worker isn’t just about responding to challenges, it’s about creating space for healing, growth, and belonging. And in that space, students can begin to see what’s possible.
