“Being a social worker means empowering, advocating, breaking down barriers, connecting to resources, giving a voice to those who need to be heard, and showing up.”
Some careers are built from a dream. Others are shaped by real conversations, moments that stay with you and spark something that can’t be ignored. For Sonya Lantz, her journey into social work began as a summer camp counselor. She remembers the kids who pulled her aside between activities, not to ask about the game, but to share something far more personal.
“So many of them talked about feeling alone, unsafe, or uncertain about what was going on at home,” she says. “They needed someone to talk to. Someone to trust.”
It was during those early summers that Sonya realized she wanted to be that person. a steady adult who didn’t just listen, but who helped make things better. A person who could advocate, guide, and help young people feel safe enough to grow.
A goal delayed, but not forgotten
Sonya’s original plan was to become an adoption caseworker. But everything changed during her senior year of college, when she was placed in a school for her internship. It was there that she discovered a kind of work that spoke to her on a deeper level.
“I knew I wanted to be a school social worker,” she says. “That internship opened my eyes to what it really meant to show up for students in all areas of their life.”
Then the rules changed. A Master of Social Work (MSW) became a new requirement to enter the field. Sonya wasn’t in a position to continue school immediately. So, she made a different choice, she stepped into the field and gained experience. She became a foster care caseworker, working directly with children and families through moments of significant change and uncertainty.
Still, the dream stayed with her.
“After years of working in Lancaster, I knew I wanted to be at SDoL,” she said. “Even after more than a decade had passed since earning my bachelor’s degree, I still carried that goal with me.”
In 2020, Sonya returned to graduate school and completed her MSW at Seattle University. It took time to find the right opportunity, and a few years away from the area, but she stayed focused. And in 2022, she finally accepted a position with the School District of Lancaster, the job she had envisioned for more than a decade.
Why SDoL felt like home
“I love Lancaster,” Sonya says. “And I always wanted to invest in this community.”
As a school social worker serving all middle schools and Elizabeth R. Martin School, Sonya sees the impact of that investment every day. She sees it in the way students trust her with their stories, in the ways families open up when someone is willing to walk alongside them, and in the strength of the team she works with.
“What I appreciate most about the district is our diversity and our shared commitment to making sure every student gets the support they need. Our staff care deeply. Our students have so much to offer. And our community keeps showing up to meet real needs.”
The visit she didn’t expect, but will never forget
One of the most meaningful moments in Sonya’s career happened years after her work with a foster care client had ended. She had moved on to other roles, and the child she once supported had grown into a young adult. Then, one day, they showed up at her workplace, just to talk.
“He told me he had been looking for a way to find me,” Sonya says. “He wanted to say thank you.”
They had a conversation she never expected but will always carry with her. “He said I made him feel seen and cared for at a time in his life when very few people did. That even though he couldn’t express it back then, he remembered everything.”
In a field where closure is rare and long-term outcomes are often unknown, that moment reminded Sonya of what’s possible, even if you only get a small window into someone’s life.
What keeps her going
Sonya’s workday spans buildings, families, and a wide range of needs. What keeps her moving from one conversation to the next is simple: the students.
“I come to work every day because of them,” she says. “It’s seeing a student get through something hard, watching them smile after reaching a goal, connecting families to resources that make a difference, that’s what fuels me.”
She’s also learned how important it is to care for herself along the way. “Early on, I burned out. I’ve learned that self-care isn’t optional. It’s essential.”
Her routine now includes time outside, running, playing soccer, traveling, and time with her nieces and nephews, activities that bring joy and keep her grounded.
The work, as she defines it
Sonya describes her role not through titles, but through actions:
“Empowering. Advocating. Breaking down barriers. Connecting people to resources. Giving a voice to those who need to be heard. Showing up.”
Her impact often comes in the form of consistency being the person who stays with a problem, who makes the call, who shows up even when things are messy or uncertain.
Social workers don’t always have the final answer, but they know how to open doors that have been closed for too long. And for students and families trying to navigate systems that weren’t built with them in mind, that makes all the difference.
When the title finally matched the work
When the district formally updated the title from Student and Family Resource Specialist to School Social Worker, Sonya felt seen in a new way.
“It validated the training we have and the work we’ve always been doing. We’re licensed social workers and we’re proud of what that means.”
Having the right title helps families understand the role, builds trust, and creates clarity about the kind of support social workers can provide.
Lifting up the next generation
In her work outside of school, Sonya continues to invest in young people, especially girls. As a coach for Heart and Sole, she helps girls build social and emotional skills, develop self-worth, and connect with their peers in meaningful ways.
“I remind them that they’re strong. That they matter. That they already carry everything they need to move forward.”
It’s the kind of work she wishes every girl had access to, especially in middle school, when the world can feel overwhelming and uncertain.
To future social workers, especially women
Sonya’s advice:
“Practice self-care now so it becomes a habit. Surround yourself with people who support and challenge you. And always make time to laugh and experience joy.”
Social work is not easy. But with the right support system, and a deep sense of purpose, it’s one of the most meaningful ways to serve.
Thank You, Sonya
To Sonya: thank you for choosing this work. For returning to a dream after more than a decade. For offering steady, thoughtful support to students and families across the district.
You’ve created space for others to feel seen, heard, and supported and in doing so, you’ve helped build a stronger foundation for what school social work can be.