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Baldwin County School District’s Ola Scott-Little has been selected as School Social Worker of the Year for District 10 by the Georgia School Social Worker Association. District 10 comprises 18 counties in Georgia.
“I glorify God for this job. He chose me for this position and led me to help everyone I have touched over the years. From the smallest to largest impacts, he led me along this path to help his children,” said Scott-Little.
Scott-Little has worked as a social worker for 26 years, 22 of those years being in Baldwin County. She is the only social worker serving the Baldwin County School District and, according to her, has helped at least 1,000 kids through her service to the county.
“When I was a child, my mother was a single parent who attended school during the day and worked at night. My grandmother assisted the five of us,” said Scott-Little. “Growing up, I wondered why we didn’t have a social worker like other people had, so when I grew up, I promised to become the person I needed growing up and to help others.”
Scott-Little is originally from Alabama. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Talladega College and her master’s degree in social work from Clark Atlanta University. She would eventually settle in Milledgeville after her god-sister informed her of a job position open with Baldwin County Charter Schools.
“Upon coming to my interview here, I knew I would be comfortable,” said Scott-Little. “Baldwin County is very similar to where I grew up so the environment was welcoming and familiar.”
Although she originally dreamed of working as a social worker in Atlanta, Scott-Little felt that God had placed her in Baldwin County for a reason. She credits God for guiding her all of these years and allowing her to change children and their families’ lives.
“Ever since I came to Baldwin County, I have been blooming,” said Scott-Little. “As Joel Osteen always says, “I believe in blooming where you are planted.”
Her calling allows her to serve as an advocate for home, school, and the community, and work to decrease barriers that may interrupt a child’s education.
“I feel like I have made a difference in many areas of the families’ lives,” said Scott-Little. “I can help the students succeed academically and offer the families any resources they may need to help themselves or the child. It can be a tough job and that’s why I feel you must be called to do it. God knew I could be a good source for Baldwin County.”
According to Scott-Little, she has helped students and their families at her worst and best because of the support of the school district. She emphasized that all of her work is a part of a team effort.
“I have a team of professionals who are always willing to help me. They are the reason I have made such an impact on the county and am able to face the challenges that come with this position,” said Scott-Little. “I am thankful to everyone who has assisted me.”
Scott-Little is proud to be recognized for the work she’s doing and expressed joy in seeing social workers around the state being recognized as well. As part of her calling, she serves as a mentor to other social workers within District 10 and is always happy to see recognition for her line of work due to the shortage of social workers in Georgia.
“Receiving this recognition is a blessing,” said Scott-Little. “When school social workers around the state are being recognized it helps to get the word out, especially about someone making a difference within Baldwin County. It lets people notice the impacts being made.”
Ola Scott-Little will go on to compete for the statewide title with other school social workers throughout the state in March.
“I look forward to winning the state title not by myself but as a district,” said Scott-Little.