Gissell Cravener

Hello! My name is Gissell Cravener and I am the Title I School Social Worker at Alexander Elementary.  This is my fourth year at Alexander and I am so grateful to be able to serve the students and families at our school. Some background information about me: I was born in Lima, Peru but was raised in Houston, TX. I am fluent in Spanish and English and I have a passion for serving the immigrant Latino community. I am have to wonderful sons who attend Greenville County Schools. 

As a social worker I have experience working with children, youth and families in diverse roles that include working as the ADSAP Coordinator at a Behavioral Health Clinic, a Case Manager at a Children's Group Home, a Mental Health Clinician and School Social Worker. 

This school year, I am very excited about continuing to work with the students and families at Alexander Elementary. As a Title 1 Social Worker  I provide intervention services to students, families and communities in order to help student attain maximum academic benefits and to reduce the impact of barriers on academic achievement.  Some of the services I may provide include the following: 

• make home visits to help the school better understand the child and to help the family better understand the school.

•  work with teachers and school staff when students have learning problems.

• refer parents to appropriate community agencies for assistance.

• promote regular school attendance through early intervention.

•  arrange parent conferences.

•  assist in securing clothes, shoes and medical care for students.

•  confer with child-serving agencies in the community and make referrals when appropriate.

•  participate in school conferences with parents, students and teachers.

• inform parents of their children’s behavior and achievements in school.

• encourage parents to visit their child’s school and become involved.

Referrals are accepted from anyone acting on behalf of the student. They can be made by principals, teachers, other school personnel, district office staff, parents, community agencies and students. I am looking forward to a great year! #OneSchoolOneGoal!