The Minnesota School Social Workers Association proudly announces the selection of Melissa Sutleif as the Minnesota School Social Worker of the Year for 2024.
Melissa has been working as a school social worker and in the mental health field for many years. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science in social work in 1993 from Bemidji State University. She then received her Master of social work from St Thomas University in 2014. Melissa has been a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker through the Minnesota Board of Social Work since 2022 and holds a State Minnesota Educator License as a School Social Worker.
Melissa’s school principal Patrick Sutleif shared that “In her thirty years at Bowerville, the impact Melissa made for the small, rural, K-12 school is immense.” “ She created a peer advisor program called Peer Helpers. She has coordinated youth fun nights in the school that include Halloween Haunted Houses, movie nights and dances. She acted as the initiating agent for Project Alert, Project Charlie, Red Flag/Green Flag, ENABL (Education Now Babies Later), Project Northland, and she spearheaded a youth alcohol grant in coordination with Todd County Public Health. The list of programs and curriculums she has brought to Browerville goes well beyond this abridged list. Managing these programs was only a small portion of her impact on our school.”
Patrick also shared that Melissa “plays an integral part of the Special Education program in Browerville. Melissa became a very active member of the child study(child find) team, created agendas and assisted in planning and executing special education evaluation planning for students. Conducts student observations and academic testing as a part of student evaluations, and works with students on social skills, and emotion regulation as part of their IEP.
Co-worker Sonja Toews shared that Melissa not only provides compassion, and understanding to her students but also shares creativity with her students. “Melissa displays paintings and other artwork that relates to issues relevant to both elementary and high school students. Melissa puts up bulletin boards that address important social issues and speaks to the students that pass by them.” Melissa not only helps students that see her but also reaches that whole student population by organizing events and classroom presentations for the whole student body.
Sondar Lee, co worker of Melissa shared “Melissa extends her services into her role as a Mental Health Therapist at True Balance Counseling in Little Falls, MN. Melissa has specialized training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and is also well-versed in implementing Mindfulness Strategies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Melissa has also served as a Region 11 Co-Representative for MSSWA!” Sondra Lee, says “ Melissa emanates acceptance, authenticity, professionalism and intelligence in her work and life. She strives to empower “the little guy” and does so with incredible tenacity and expertise”.
MSSWA is so excited to acknowledge Melissa Sutleif and her dedication to the school social work profession. Melissa’s knowledge and education, her support of her colleagues, and her commitment and advocacy for the students she serves makes MSSWA proud Melissa is our Minnesota School Social Worker of the Year for 2024!
