Charlotte Skidmore, Reporter
School social workers assist students with any school related issues and guidance to ensure that they feel supported, understood and prepared to grow. Social Worker Kacey Gormley joined the NCHS community at the beginning of the 2025 school year. In a world where most people rush through their days, Ms. Gormley has made a career of slowing down long enough to listen to an approach that has made her one of NCHS’s most inspiring new voices.
Ms. Gormley has had many careers that involved helping kids, from being a home visitor to a private practice therapist. “All of these different settings have come back to working with kids,” she said. “I decided to explore that as well, and I’m really loving it.”
Ms. Gormley’s day-to-day schedules are never the same; they consist of spending time meeting students, walking around, attending meetings with parents and teachers and helping wherever she’s needed. My days are very unpredictable, which keeps it fun. It keeps me on my toes,” she said.
When reflecting about her future as a school social worker, Ms. Gormley says that she has many priorities and her many experiences may help. “helping students develop self-awareness so they achieve a process where I’m not needed – but I’m always here if they want help.” Her favorite part of her job is working with students and seeing those “aha moments” when things finally click.
When determining which school she would work at, Ms. Gormley mentioned that the energy and positivity at NCHS drew her in. “I was like, yes, this is a good team. I’m really excited about this energy,” she said. “It’s just a great place to work. I’ve been loving it so far.”
She describes her approach to helping students in three words: strengths-based, collaboration, and self-awareness. “I want you to know your strengths because once you know what you do well, you can grow from there and rely on those. I call them superpowers.”
Ms Gormely’s kindness, energy and love for students makes her an incredible addition to the NCHS school community. “ I love seeing students’ reactions to things and their willingness to explore and your curiosities. That’s always the most rewarding thing for me.”
