The Portland Public Schools is proud to have been chosen as “2025 Agency of the Year” by the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW ME).  The district was selected for the award in recognition of the outstanding work that its social workers and school counselors have done to address the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of the students in the district.

The award was presented to the Portland Public Schools on Oct. 7 at NASW ME’s Annual Conference in Rockport.

“Congratulations!” said KC Beaupain, NASW ME program coordinator, in announcing the award to the Portland Public Schools. “This award was selected by members of our NASW ME Nominations Committee and is a true testament to the incredible work you all are doing for the students, families, and communities of Maine.”

School social workers and counselors help students, families, and staff navigate challenges to support students’ academic and social success. They provide counseling, crisis intervention, and support for behavioral, emotional, and social issues. Additionally, they connect families with community resources, help manage home and school issues, and assist in developing positive school and classroom environments.

The Portland Public Schools currently has more than 40 social workers and approximately 20 school counselors.

They have been recognized for their culturally responsive and healing-centered approach to removing barriers to education for students in the district. School-based mental health professionals collaborate with students, educators, families, and communities to remove barriers that impede access to education and advance the strategic goals of PPS.

Oftentimes, the work requires creativity to support students who are struggling with mental health symptoms, poverty, housing, and other societal challenges that make learning difficult.

“This is a truly well-deserved honor for our dedicated social workers and school counselors,” said Superintendent Ryan Scallon. “The Whole Student goal of our Strategic Plan commits us to nurturing supportive, inclusive school communities that promote belonging and engagement. That creates a strong foundation of support for students to achieve at their full potential and succeed in college and career. The work of this team is integral to our achieving those goals.”

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest and most diverse school district, and its social workers and school counselors reflect that diversity, with the team including members of color and multilingual members.  Approximately one-third of the district’s approximately 6,500 students come from multilingual families and social workers’ close collaboration with the district’s Multilingual and Multicultural Center has increased support for those families.

“Our multilingual family and community engagement specialists foster strong partnerships among multilingual families, community members, and the school district to support student success,” said Priscila Bitencourt, the district’s McKinney-Vento liaison, who is based in the Multilingual Center. “Collaborating with our family and community specialists when social workers and counselors work with families is beneficial because the close relationships our specialists have with families helps establish a relationship of trust.”

Sarah Beam, the district’s director of student support, said, “I am incredibly proud to be working with a group of professionals who are continually working to find innovative ways to meet the ever-increasing mental health needs of the students in our schools. It is an honor to be recognized by the Maine Chapter of the NASW as an outstanding agency. This honor isn’t just for the social work team, but also for school counselors, and other educators who work collaboratively to incorporate practices that support our students.”

Photo below:  Attending the NASW ME’s Annual Conference in Rockport to accept the award on behalf of the Portland Public Schools were (from left, front row) Monique Mutumwinka, PPS multilingual family and community engagement specialist; Priscila Bitencourt, PPS McKinney-Vento liaison; Sarah Beam, PPS director of student support; Josephine Bizimana, PPS multilingual family and community engagement specialist; and (from left, back row) Jesse Applegate, PPS director of special education; and Jeremy Lynch, culture and climate Coordinator for Rowe Elementary School. (Photo credit: Lot7Media)

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with nearly 6,500 students, and it’s also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of 59 languages. Approximately 47 percent of the district’s students are white and 53 percent are students of color. More than half of all PPS students are economically disadvantaged.