School of Social Work honors field instructor of the year

On Tuesday, Aug. 21, the WMU School of Social Work held its 2018 field instructor orientation event. The annual event brings together social work staff, faculty and community partners to share information and best practices related to social work field instruction. More than 75 people were in attendance.

The overall theme for this year's orientation event was Leadership and Supervision in the Field. The group spent time going over BSW/MSW field learning contracts to ensure that field instructors and WMU faculty shared an understanding about expectations and responsibilities.

Every year at the event, the School of Social Work recognizes the previous year's Field Instructor of the Year. For 2017-18, that honor went to Autumn Delnat, a licensed professional counselor at the YWCA. 

"The YWCA is a valuable partner for us, and Autumn has done incredible clinical work there," says Stephanie Lagalo, director of field education in the School of Social Work. "They take numerous WMU social work students each semester, and the experience those students receive is truly outstanding."

Autumn was nominated by both of her students last year. For 2018-19, she will be the field instructor for seven MSW students.