“Sarah Lawrence prepared me to face challenging moments head on and dig in, instead of shying away. This has proved invaluable in my work in schools where you are faced with new obstacles everyday.”
With an MA in Child Development from Sarah Lawrence and an MSW from NYU, Sophia Sherman ‘14, MA ‘17 has developed meaningful relationships with individuals associated with both graduate programs. She also has connections across Sarah Lawrence’s Children, Childhood, and Education Collaborative. Reflecting on her career trajectory, Sophia sees the influence of the Collaborative - from her days as an undergraduate completing fieldwork at the Early Childhood Center to learning from peers in the Art of Teaching Graduate Program about the educational side of development. She was similarly enriched by the “hard working, kind and inquisitive” Child Development graduate cohort and in courses such as “Poverty in America” and “Theories of Development.” Sophia draws on these diverse experiences in her current role as Preschool and Lower School Counselor at the International School of Brooklyn.
Why did you decide to pursue your MA in Child Development at Sarah Lawrence?
Pursuing my MA in Child Development at Sarah Lawrence felt like a natural progression for me. I attended Sarah Lawrence as an undergraduate and had taken a few child development courses that I really enjoyed. I always knew I wanted to work with children in some capacity, but the experience of working in the SLC Early Childhood Center allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time. I resonate deeply with the program’s strong emphasis on play and its power on learning and development. I knew I would be challenged and inspired along the way, in practice and also educationally.
What was your experience like as a dual degree student, attending both Sarah Lawrence and NYU?
Attending both NYU and Sarah Lawrence was a dynamic experience. I really enjoyed my fieldwork at NYU. My first year I was placed at a mental health agency in Harlem primarily working with survivors of domestic violence, and my second year I was placed at a public elementary school in Sunset Park. Both experiences shaped me into the social worker I am now and taught me how to work with a range of different clients. Engaging in coursework and internships while also completing the MA in Child Development at SLC allowed me to apply what I was learning into action–but in a totally new context.
Is there a tenet of the Child Development graduate program that particularly resonates with you?
When I look back on the program, I think of all the work put into writing my thesis. Writing it over the course of the last year allowed me to weave together my experiences over the previous three years in such a cohesive way. My thesis, “Repatterning Attachments at School and Beyond: An Exploration and Reflection on the Healing Power of Relationships and School Community”, focused on attachment theory and its role in creating strong relationships among a school community. As a school counselor now, so much of my role has to do with monitoring school climate, building and maintaining strong relationships, and reflecting on what is working and what needs to change.
How did your time at Sarah Lawrence prepare you for the work you’re doing now?
I graduated from the dual degree program prepared to work in a range of different school environments. My time at Sarah Lawrence encouraged me to be a critical thinker, detailed writer, and passionate communicator. The strong focus on child development theory in the program has informed every aspect of my role as a school counselor, from working with children with learning differences, to helping parents and school staff understand how to help their children reach their own unique potential. Sarah Lawrence’s progressive program instilled a strength perspective in me–I see individual differences as something to be celebrated. Sarah Lawrence prepared me to face challenging moments head on and dig in, instead of shying away. This has proved invaluable in my work in schools where you are faced with new obstacles everyday.
What are some of the connection points available to alumni of the Child Development Graduate program?
As an alumna, I’ve always felt like I have a strong connection to the program–it is a small, but tight-knit community. I have stayed in touch with many classmates & professors and have also been involved in panel discussions and workshops hosted by SLC since graduating. I know I can always reach out to the program and will be met with a warm welcome and a “How can we help?” attitude!