“Being a social worker means having a career that allows me to be me.”
When you talk to Heather Huffman, one thing becomes immediately clear, she brings her full self to this work. Her story isn’t built on one single defining event or childhood dream. Instead, it’s been shaped through years of living, learning, trying, failing, succeeding, and showing up again and again.
“Life,” she says, when asked what inspired her to become a social worker. “Each of my successes and failures brought me to where I’m supposed to be.”
With 19 years in the field and two years at the School District of Lancaster, Heather knows that social work is as much about listening and growing as it is about guiding and supporting. At McCaskey High School, she’s found a place where she can do this work in ways that feel honest, human, and deeply connected to the world around her.
From Experience to Practice: A Life-Altering Path
Unlike those who followed a straight path from college to career, Heather’s entry into social work was more layered. Each life event, good or bad, carved a deeper understanding of the human experience. Those moments, both joyful and painful, didn’t deter her. They refined her sense of purpose.
She brings that personal history into her work, not as baggage, but as a bridge. It allows her to connect with students who feel lost, to be present with families in crisis, and to offer compassion without pretending she has all the answers.
For Heather, social work isn’t just a job. It’s a way of moving through the world with empathy, clarity, and an open mind.
A Home in McCaskey’s Halls
Heather doesn’t just work at McCaskey, she believes in what McCaskey stands for. “Everything that SDoL represents; its local, national, and global richness can’t be matched,” she says.
She sees that richness in the culture of the school. In the hallway languages, the vibrant traditions, the complex challenges, and the incredible strength of its students. Every corner of McCaskey is alive with stories from across the world and down the street. Heather treasures being part of that tapestry.
Moments That Make It Worthwhile
After nearly two decades in social work, Heather has had her share of tough days, emotionally heavy cases, and moments where the outcome was uncertain. But what stands out most to her aren’t the dramatic successes. It’s the quiet, full-circle moments—the ones that catch you off guard and remind you why you said yes to this work in the first place.
“I am so fortunate to have had dozens of full-circle moments,” she reflects. “Each one holds a special place in my heart. It’s those moments that make all the crazy times worth it.”
Sometimes it’s a former student who returns to say thank you. Other times, it’s seeing a student walk across the graduation stage after years of support and setbacks. Or a family who was once in crisis now finding stability. These moments are rarely flashy. They’re real, raw, and rooted in connection.
Community as Lifeline
Heather doesn’t pretend she gets through this work alone. She knows how vital community is not just for students, but for staff, too.
“My colleagues are my lifeline,” she says. “I’m a firm believer that taking care of one another helps us take care of ourselves.”
She describes a work culture that is built not just on collaboration, but on genuine care. Whether it’s checking in during tough weeks, covering for each other, or simply sharing a laugh, the McCaskey social work team is a system of support that helps her, and others, keep going.
Outside of work, Heather recharges through solitude, sports, and time with family and friends. She knows balance isn’t a luxury in this profession, it’s a necessity.
Connection Through Realness
When it comes to supporting women, whether students navigating identity or colleagues navigating burnout, Heather has a clear approach: keep it real.
“By keeping things real, you can find a way to connect with everyone,” she says. “People don’t need perfection; they need honesty. They need someone who isn’t afraid to sit with them in hard moments.”
She brings that authenticity into her relationships with students, too. She’s not there to fix anyone. She’s there to listen, to challenge, to uplift and to hold space without judgment.
Her advice to young women entering the profession is simple, but powerful:
“Never underestimate the power of a woman’s intuition.”
She believes women have an inner compass, shaped by experience, community, and care, that can guide them through even the most complex moments.
Sisterhood in the Work
For Heather, the connection among women in social work isn’t something she experiences once in a while, it’s woven into every day.
“Every single day,” she says when asked if she’s felt the power of sisterhood. “There’s something about being part of a team where women support each other, push each other, and see each other.”
It’s in the knowing glances after a tough meeting. The texts that say, “You’ve got this.” The strength in shared values. Heather sees that collective support as one of the most powerful forces in the profession and one of the most reliable sources of strength.
Writing the Next Chapter Together
As Social Work Appreciation Month and Women’s History Month overlap, Heather sees them not as separate acknowledgments, but as parallel paths.
“It means having a sense of pride knowing that I am among all of the incredible women out there who are working hard to write the next chapter in Women’s History books,” she says.
To Heather, being a social worker isn’t just about responding to need. It’s about imagining and building a future where care is part of how systems function—not something that fills in after harm has been done.
Her work, her honesty, her ability to connect, all of it contributes to that future.
Thank You, Heather
To Heather: thank you for bringing your full self to McCaskey. Thank you for sharing your story without polish, for sitting with people in their mess, and for celebrating the harvest—no matter how long it takes to grow.
You remind us that the heart of social work isn’t found in job titles or quick fixes—it’s in real moments, rooted in care, showing up again and again for the people who need it most.
Happy Social Work Appreciation Month.