UB's School of Social Work to Honor Field Educators Guiding Its Students

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo School of Social Work will hold its annual Field Educator Reception to honor the hundreds of professional social workers who volunteer to mentor students at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, 25 Nottingham Ct.

"The reception is an annual event held by our school to honor the significant contributions made by all of our field educators who supervise students in their field placements as part of the Master of Social Work program," says Laura Lewis, director of field education.

"It's an opportunity to express our appreciation for their commitment to our students, our school and to the social work profession."

The reception is also the occasion to present the award for Outstanding Achievement in Field Education. Based on student nominations, the award is given to a field educator considered an excellent role model. Those under consideration must demonstrate a commitment to the values of the social work profession, and exemplify leadership within their organization and in the community.

"Each year students have the ability to nominate field educators who have demonstrated courage, reliability, caring, civility and fairness to earn the distinction of 'Outstanding Educator,'" Lewis says. "This year we had 63 nominations."

All nominees will be acknowledged and honored at the reception.

UB's School of Social Work places more than 400 students in community agencies, primarily in the Western New York region, Lewis says.

"These placements account for $1.9 million in free service to the Western New York community," she says.

This year's dinner honors "outstanding educators" from Buffalo, Rochester and Jamestown. Nominee quotes from students will be included in the presentation for each winner.

"Field education is often said to be the heart of social work education," says Lewis. "When you see the passion field educators have for their work, it is easy to understand why this is so.

"Field educators play a critical role in the professional training of social work students," she says. "They also engender excitement about the opportunities social work has to offer. Their motivation is often to simply 'give back.' Perhaps they will inspire our current students to one day do the same."