National School Social Work Week is a time to recognize the professionals who ensure students are supported not only academically, but emotionally and socially as well.
At YES Prep, this work is essential to how we serve students. Academic growth does not happen in isolation. It happens when students feel safe, supported and seen.
At North Rankin Elementary, Crystal Davis has spent the past four years doing exactly that.
A Journey Rooted in Experience
Crystal’s path to becoming a school social worker began with her own lived experiences.
Growing up in an economically disadvantaged, single-income household as the oldest of seven children, she experienced housing instability, homelessness and the stress of navigating a family health crisis. During that time, a teacher and academic advisor encouraged her to pursue a career in education.
That encouragement changed her trajectory.
After seven years in the classroom and earning her master’s degree, Crystal transitioned into her role as student support counselor. The move allowed her to support students more holistically, an approach that closely aligns with YES Prep’s commitment to serving the whole child.
“I was inspired to become a school social worker through my own lived experiences as a student considered at risk,” Crystal shared. “I wanted to create safe, welcoming spaces where all students feel a sense of belonging.”
Supporting the Whole Child
At North Rankin Elementary, supporting the whole child means looking beyond academics and honoring the experiences students bring with them each day.
Crystal builds trusting relationships through one-on-one check-ins, creates meaningful opportunities for family voice and engagement, and connects families with community resources. She collaborates closely with teachers, campus leaders, and external partners to ensure students receive the support they need.
Her work is grounded in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a framework that explains that basic needs such as safety, stability and belonging must be met before a person can fully focus on growth and achievement. In a school setting, that means students must feel secure and emotionally supported before they can fully engage in learning.
By addressing social, emotional, and family-related challenges, Crystal helps remove barriers that might otherwise impact focus and academic growth.
When students feel valued and connected, their capacity to learn expands.
Removing Barriers Through Action
The impact of school social work is often visible in quiet but powerful ways.
At North Rankin Elementary, the campus Resource Closet provides school supplies, hygiene and baby products, clothing, food pantry items, and connections to community support. These resources reduce stress around basic needs so students can focus on learning.
Two moments stand out for Crystal.
In one instance, she secured mattresses for a family in transition, ensuring the children had a safe and comfortable place to sleep. In another, through the campus Little Wishes Program and a partnership with B.E.A.R., 65 students and families received holiday gifts based on each child’s wish list.
These moments reflect the deeper purpose of school social work: ensuring students and families have access to stability, dignity, and care.
A Lasting Message
Long after students leave North Rankin Elementary, Crystal hopes they carry one message with them: they are seen, valued, and they belong.
She encourages her students to remember that their voices matter, and small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference. The quote displayed in her office serves as a daily reminder: “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”
National School Social Work Week reminds us that behind every student’s academic progress is a network of support. At YES Prep, our school social workers play a critical role in building that network, ensuring students have both the academic foundation and the social-emotional stability needed to thrive.