Expressing Our Truth, Expressing Our Care: A Collective Reflection on Humanizing the Social Work Classroom

Authors

  • Siddhesh Mukerji University College Cork
  • Alistair Murphy Howard Center
  • Maverick Joyce Neuroqueer Therapies and Consultations LLC
  • Molly Kaye Spectrum Youth & Family Services
  • Joseph Goodrow MSW Student, University of Vermont
  • Madelyn "Maddie" Lucia Clark University of Vermont
  • Kathleen E. Donahue University of Vermont
  • Melissa Heitkamp University of Vermont
  • Brooke Tyler Vermont Department for Children and Families
  • Lily Hoffman University of Vermont

Keywords:

education, pedagogy, transformative learning

Abstract

The social work classroom calls us to consider topics of societal and personal relevance, including identity, oppression, and trauma. Which qualities and actions enable this process to challenge us and also affirm our and others’ humanity? This question guides the following reflection by nine social work master’s students and one faculty member. We narrate experiences that have shaped our understanding of and approach to transformative, humanizing interactions. Our narratives interweave experiences from the field, personal life, and the educational process. We relate our stories to social work education and pedagogical concepts, including safe and brave spaces and transformative learning.

Author Biographies

Siddhesh Mukerji, University College Cork

Siddhesh Mukerji, PhD (he/him) is Lecturer, School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland (smukerji@ucc.ie).

Alistair Murphy, Howard Center

Alistair Murphy, MSW (he/him) is Rostered Mental Health Clinician and School Service/Crisis Clinician, Children Youth and Family/Emergency, Howard Center, Burlington, VT.

Maverick Joyce, Neuroqueer Therapies and Consultations LLC

Maverick Joyce, MSW (they/them) is Consultant and Therapist, Neuroqueer Therapies and Consultations LLC, Winooski, VT (neuroqueertherapies@hush.com, @ageofaqueerius/@the.neuroqueer.therapist).

Molly Kaye, Spectrum Youth & Family Services

Molly Kaye, MSW (she/her) is Mental Health Counselor, Riverstone Counseling, Spectrum Youth & Family Services, Burlington, VT.

Joseph Goodrow, MSW Student, University of Vermont

Joseph Goodrow, MSW, LMSW (he/him) is Social Worker and Graduate, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT (goodrowjoseph@gmail.com).

Madelyn "Maddie" Lucia Clark, University of Vermont

Madelyn “Maddie” Lucia Clark, BM is Student, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT (maddie.clark@uvm.edu).

Kathleen E. Donahue, University of Vermont

Kathleen E. Donahue, JD, MSW is Graduate, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT (donahuelawvt@gmail.com).

Melissa Heitkamp, University of Vermont

Melissa Heitkamp is MSW Student, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT (melissa.heitkamp@uvm.edu).

Brooke Tyler, Vermont Department for Children and Families

Brooke Bergeron, MSW is Family Services Supervisor, Family Services Division, Vermont Department for Children and Families, Barre, VT (bbenoit19@gmail.com).

Lily Hoffman, University of Vermont

Lily Hoffman, MSW (she/her) is Pre-License Rostered Psychotherapist, Private Practice, Saint Albans, VT (lilymariehoffman@gmail.com).

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Mukerji, S., Murphy, A., Joyce, M., Kaye, M., Goodrow, J., Clark, M. "Maddie" L., Donahue, K. E., Heitkamp, M., Tyler, B., & Hoffman, L. (2025). Expressing Our Truth, Expressing Our Care: A Collective Reflection on Humanizing the Social Work Classroom. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 31(2), 70–84. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/2083

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 2 (2025)

Section

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