University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

Sharon Alpert has been actively involved in Field Education for over 20 years. She began as a Field Instructor in 1991 and to date has worked with over 60 students. She has been a supervisor at Children's Protective Services since 1988, developing innovative clinical programs to meet the needs of client families. Most recently she designed an internship program within the department designed to match the learning and practice needs of graduate social work students with the service needs of the agency and agency clients. After surveying the special work with children and families that staff wished for their caseloads, she assigned students to do that work. Educational experiences were enhanced and service capability extended. Ms. Alpert's commitment to interns and the value of practice education is evidenced in her receiving Outstanding Field Instructor at UH GCSW, Outstanding Field Instructor for the state of Texas and the Heart of Social Work Award in 2008. She teaches the Field Seminar and the foundation practice course for beginning graduate students. She also coordinates the Practice Skills Lab, working with eight lab instructors. She has been a long time member of the Field Practicum Advisory Committee, most recently involved in adapting the field education curriculum to the competency based model required in the new EPAS. Ms. Alpert is a firm believer in and advocate of "accidental learning", the learning you didn't necessarily sign up for that is happening all around you.

Florida Atlantic University

Linda Laviano was hired by the Office of the State Attorney, 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, Florida in 1996. In her current position as a Victim/Witness Counselor she is responsible for providing interventions with victims of crime including sexual assault, domestic violence, aggravated felonies, DUI homicides and murder. Ms. Laviano earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from Florida International University in 1993 while employed at the Broward County Sexual Assault Treatment Center. She is past president of the Broward Victim's Rights Coalition and remains actively involved in the planning and execution of events to increase awareness of the rights and needs of crime victims and survivors. Ms. Laviano has provided field supervision and instruction for more than 100 bachelors and master degree social work students from Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Barry University, and Florida State University. Ms Laviano participates in training for new field supervisors at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and has developed a training module on "Designing a Successful Internship". She also serves as an adjunct instructor to the FAU School of Social Work and has developed and taught a Victim Advocacy elective course. Ms. Laviano was nominated for the Heart of Social Work Award by the field education faculty at FAU. The nomination letters describes Ms. Laviano as " an individual who truly enjoys working with students. She treats everyone with the utmost respect while providing a nurturing and supportive atmosphere"