Social Work
Meet the EXPO Social Work Team:
EXPO's school social workers are here to help students feel safe, supported, connected, and ready to learn. We work with students, families, teachers, and staff to build a caring school community where every child can grow and thrive.
Liz Nelson provides full-time special education support. Brendan Leyden provides full-time support to both general education students and special education students. Katie Peralta provides part-time special education support.
How We Help:
Our school social workers support the whole child by:
- Helping students manage big feelings, solve problems, and build positive relationships
- Supporting students through changes, challenges, and difficult experiences
- Partnering with families to connect them with school and community resources
- Collaborating with teachers and staff to create supportive plans for students
- Promoting positive behavior, belonging, and a welcoming school climate
- Supporting students with special education evaluations and IEP-related services
- Helping identify strategies that support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs
- Connecting families with mental health and other community resources
- Supporting school attendance and helping families overcome barriers to getting to school
Our work is guided by trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices. This means we lead with empathy, recognize that behavior communicates a need, focus on students’ strengths, and work to understand each student’s experiences, culture, and identity.
Building a Positive School Community:
EXPO’s social workers collaborate with school teams to promote students’ academic, social, and emotional success. We may be involved with:
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
- Mental health and social-emotional learning supports
- Student safety and crisis response
- Attendance support
- Family outreach and resource connections
- Special education planning and related services
- Staff training on mental health, trauma, and student support
Special EXPO School Programs and Traditions:
Good in the Hood Food Shelf
Each month, our social workers help run the ‘Good in the Hood’ food shelf with other school staff. The food shelf takes place after school and is open to school families as well as community members. No proof of income is required. We are proud to help make healthy food more accessible to our community.
Fifth Grade Leadership
Brendan leads our Fifth Grade Leadership program. Students apply and are selected to participate in this special weekly group. Student leaders help make our school an even better place by:
- Helping organize Kindergarten Field Day
- Serving as positive role models
- Creating Spirit Week themes
- Building a positive school culture and climate
- Contributing ideas and leadership throughout the school
Brendan also joins students on the annual fifth grade trip to the Boundary Waters, helping provide support and encouragement while students are away from home. Learn more about the Boundary Waters trip.
We Are Here For You:
Students and families do not have to face challenges alone. If you have a concern about your child’s social-emotional well-being, school experience, relationships, attendance, or access to resources, please reach out to our school social work team. We are happy to listen, help problem-solve, and connect families with support.
Tour EXPO Elementary:
