Maria Ruelas, EdD, MSW, PPSC
Lawndale Elementary School District District Social Worker
Lawndale, CA
Maria Ruelas, Ed.D, MSW, ACSW, PPSC has served as the District Social Worker for Lawndale Elementary School District (LESD) for the past six years. In this role, she has taken leadership, with the support of the Director of Student Support Services to modify district infrastructure to increase the number of school social workers and partner with ten community mental health agencies, organizations, and universities to address the social and emotional needs of the Lawndale community. Dr. Ruelas has also created a training program for master-level social work interns which emphasizes the latest evidenced-based, data-driven frameworks to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase schools' sense of safety and support, in turn, contribute to improved academic outcomes for students. Her program has also provided graduate-level interns and trainees, across disciplines and universities, to receive high quality field education experiences. She has presented on her district at multiple state and national conferences and is recognized across the state for her effects to build capacity and opportunities for school social workers.