Amy E. Korsch-Williams is a senior instructor and the previous assistant dean of field education at the Mandel School. She is also an independently-licensed social worker with a practice background in infant and early childhood mental health and development, trauma-informed care, maternal health, child and adolescent behavioral health and early intervention. She has 19 years of experience in both direct practice and leadership roles within child welfare, public health, community behavioral health and academic settings.
Korsch-Williams is also a faculty affiliate of the Center on Trauma and Adversity. Her teaching and scholarship interests are centered in the area of trauma-informed practice and in building trauma-informed systems. She contributes nationally to the training and professional development of students, educators and practitioners in the area of trauma-informed care and in developing frameworks for trauma-informed social work education, both in the classroom and in field education.
Under her leadership the school's Field Education Department oversaw the training and practicum experiences of over 600 graduate social work students annually, both locally and nationally through its online program.
Korsch-Williams creates evidence-based curricula and training programs that effectively prepare social work students for trauma-informed practice across settings and systems. She also contributes to the development of behavioral health workforce education and training models that prepare students to work in integrated care settings using a trauma-informed perspective.
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Why I Teach
I teach because I want to empower others to create meaningful and sustainable change. I am inspired by our students each and every day and consider it a gift and an opportunity to participate in their education. I take pride in contributing to the development of our students as people and professionals, and the future of the social work profession. Each time I step into the spaces where our students learn, grow and give back, I am reminded of the importance of our work and the reasons that compelled me to come into and commit to this profession. I feel as if although I work as hard as I can to equip, support and inspire our students, I am always given back more in return. Each day in the classroom is a valuable reminder of my love for teaching and mentorship. I can’t think of a more worthwhile way to spend my career.
Why I Chose This Profession
I chose social work because of our profession’s expansive view on understanding and addressing very complex issues. Our training provides us with the knowledge and skills to see, understand and address problems in powerful and unique ways. I also chose social work because of the many career paths that are available. Being a social worker has provided me with opportunities to work in a variety of capacities and to have impact in a range of areas that are important to me. This has been one of my favorite aspects of my career. I also am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside so many wonderful people with different perspectives and worldviews, and within communities full of hope and vitality.