MS. ELLEN MINKOFF
SCHOOL:
WATERBURY SCHOOL
630-894-4229
I graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts. My major
is in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education. I received my
Master's degree in Social Work at San Diego State University.
I have been a social worker in this school district since 1984 and have
worked at all of the elementary schools, Greenbrook, Waterbury, and
Keeneyville School. I spent most of my career at Greenbrook School where I
worked full-time for the next 11 years. I have been working at Waterbury for
the past 10 years, although I took a year and a half child care leave
to be with my son, Matthew, who was born in January of 2000.
I live with my husband, Michael, and my 9 year old son in Geneva. We have 2
cats, Annie and Tootsie, who are 10 years old. My leisure time is spent with
my family, friends, and neighbors in the community.
The mission of the social worker is to provide support to students,
teachers, staff, and parents to deal with any challenges that the student is
experiencing that have an effect on their educational functioning. I can
provide assessment, direct service, consultation, and information and
referral to outside resources. My primary responsibility is to participate
in evaluating a student to determine if he or she would benefit from Special
Education services.
I have extensive professional experience in dealing with significant mental
health disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. I
have worked closely with Du Page County Mental Health, consulted closely
with psychiatrists and psychologists to provide continuity of care in order
to meet the needs of the students.
It is my mission for students and families to be respected as individuals,
regardless of their difficulties, and to realize that I am non-judgmental of
them and the incredible difficulties that they face in everyday life. I want
students to feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed in my contact with them. I
am readily available to parents and very willing to meet with them. I have
an informal style in relating to others.