MNPS Voices: Leslye Majors

MNPS Voices: Leslye Majors
Posted on 03/31/2021

March is recognized as School Social Work Appreciation Month, a time to celebrate the profession of social work and its impact. The theme for 2021 is “Social Workers Are Essential,” and MNPS sees proof of that statement every day.  

 One of those many essential social workers is Leslye Majors, who has spent 13 years with the district. But even before MNPS, she was advocating for students and families. After college, she volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a role that exposed Majors to her passion for helping the underserved. 

“That experience made me want to do more, not just to help children, but those who are not able to help themselves,” Majors said. “My desire to help families and those facing mental health challenges, combined with a love for working with children, led me to become a school social worker.”

She went on to pursue a master’s degree in social work and took a role as a case manager with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office at Offender Re-Entry before finding her home as a social worker at Metro Schools.

Majors’ work can look different from day to day, but it is always focused on students. She completes individual or group counseling, meets with teachers or parents, conducts home visits to check on the status of her families, and much more.

During the pandemic, due to an increased number of families facing hardships, Majors adjusted her work to meet them where they were. That meant more phone calls after hours, conducting weekend home visits, connecting families to resources, and using TEAMS (virtual video calls) for individual and group meetings. 

“My favorite part of the job is simply working with my students,” Majors said. “I am fortunate to be able to work with students from elementary and high school; so I get the experience of working with the babies and the young adults.”

Majors has been a part of many stories of resilience that continually remind her of her purpose. Many students come from difficult situations or speak English as a second language, and with Majors’ and her team’s help, these students are able to overcome challenges and to graduate or get the grades or support they need to succeed. Majors rallies around these students to get them whatever is needed: food, housing, supplies, or technology. Her goal is always for all students to receive a quality education in a safe environment that allows them to thrive personally and academically. And she wants families to know that no matter what, social workers will be there to help.

“All Metro Schools have access to a school social worker. We are a resource to students and families, and we do not bill insurance and are not affiliated with the Department of Human Services,” Majors said. “We provide mental and behavioral health counseling as well as social services support and connecting families to resources. We are here to support and help, not to harm!”

This month MNPS featured two other social work department staff in short profiles written by Keith Ekhator, coordinator of social work. Read their stories here:

Dr. Monica Coverson, Director of Social Services

Dr. Monica Coverson is the director of social services at MNPS and has been essential in increasing the number of social workers across the district by 29.69%. She advocated and ensured that all social workers are fully trained as Certified Clinical Trauma Professionals and Certified LGBT+ Equity & Inclusion Specialists. As a result of her intentional leadership, the social work team is now one of the most advanced school teams of practitioners in the mental health field. Dr. Coverson is a leader in the state of Tennessee; her contributions have been instrumental in encouraging other districts to follow our lead in expanding social work services and meeting the psychosocial needs of our youth.

Not only is she a social worker, but Dr. Coverson is a Wonder Woman to many, with the numerous caps she wears. She is a full-time mother to three sons, a wife, a daughter, and a pillar of excellence to all who know her. The work she does extends far and wide, and the information we have shared here is only a small highlight of the contributions she has made! We would like to show our appreciation for her by letting her know her hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed.

Anna Mayes, School Social Worker

Anna Mayes is a school social worker in the Hunters Lane Cluster. Mayes began her career with the district as a Family Involvement Specialist in 2015 but has since made the transition to the School Social Work division in 2018. She is a big-hearted social worker and is always willing to step in to serve students, families, and her MNPS family. Her calm and accepting spirit allows her to meet students’ and families’ needs while making them feel valued and heard.

Working with vulnerable populations is a priority in the field of social work, and being bilingual allows Mayes to make connections with Latino families, reducing language barriers and increasing inclusivity at school. She works collectively with all stakeholders to set attainable goals for success today and in the future.

 “School is such an influential setting in the lives of children, and I hope we can positively impact people for the rest of their lives,” Mayes said.

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