DeKalb GA News

Don Wessels, a veteran social worker with the DeKalb County School District (DCSD), has been recognized as the district's School Social Worker of the Year. The award was announced during a luncheon that concluded the nationally recognized School Social Work Week in March.

Peers describe Mr. Wessels as friendly, calm, hardworking, and a mentor. He expressed his gratitude for being selected by his colleagues, saying, “It’s a great honor to be selected by my peers for recognition because each person in the social work department makes such a commitment to support children and schools in our county.”

Mr. Wessels has spent 32 years working at DCSD, primarily at Lakeside High School. Before this role, he served as a juvenile court probation officer for 15 years. His grandmother inspired him to pursue social work instead of becoming a pastor.

“I think she would realize that the kind of work that social workers do is certainly in the pastoral sense—it’s a very similar occupation,” Mr. Wessels said.

Colleagues have praised Mr. Wessels for his leadership and encouragement. Shelly Bishop, now Coordinator of Social Work Services, recalled how he predicted her future success: “He enlightened me in the moment... Don and I never really worked together because we served different areas of the District.”

Katina Watts, DCSD Lead Social Worker, noted Mr. Wessels' calming presence: “When I’m in the midst of a crisis, I look for Don because Don is going to make it calm.”

Mr. Wessels emphasizes supporting students academically and socially through collaboration with families and school staff: “The needs that children have outside of school are so great and so impactful.”

As retirement approaches, Mr. Wessels hopes to be remembered as an advocate for improving student lives: “I hope they remember me as a force for improving the lives of students and their families.”