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“I’m a person who has been serving as a vessel to give back since elementary school,” said Burton. “Girl Scouts taught me to give back and to care about others.”
As she got older, her love for service never wavered. Burton said her mom would tell her she would make a good social worker, and after talking with her college advisor, Burton said she made the switch from studying elementary education to social work.
Burton has worked at Ashley Park PreK-8 and University Park Creative Arts schools. She currently supports South Pine Academy, Palisades Park Elementary and Harper Middle College High schools.
“Ms. Burton’s expertise and deep understanding of her field enable her to mentor and guide fellow social workers, ensuring they feel supported in their work,” said Shanna Rae, principal at University Park Creative Arts, in her nomination of Burton for the award. “She leads by example, always thinking of others before herself and prioritizing the needs of the people she serves. Ms. Burton’s approach is rooted in compassion, knowledge and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.”
“I believe you have to have a heart and care about students and people in general in this line of work,” said Burton. “It’s not a job you can just turn off when you go home, and every day is different. I enjoy my job as a school social worker.”
Burton was named the 2024-25 School Social Worker of the Year for CMS on March 3 during a surprise announcement at South Pine Academy. Burton said she is grateful for the recognition and that she accepts the award on behalf of all school social workers in the district who are also working hard to provide for their students and families.
“I believe that at the end of the day, if we can help a child, it will help our whole world later on,” said Burton. “So that’s what I’m here to do. Serve others. Children, families, whoever needs the help. I’m willing to help.”
Doing what she’s ‘here to do’
Posted on 3/5/2025:
Mallie Burton said her journey to school social work began with Girl Scouts. As a child, Burton loved helping others, and she would always look for opportunities and badges that would allow her to give back, like volunteering with food and clothing drives.
Her troop traveled to Mexico and worked with an elementary school by collecting books, hygiene products and school supplies. They also worked with the students by reading with them and completing beautification projects around the campus.“I’m a person who has been serving as a vessel to give back since elementary school,” said Burton. “Girl Scouts taught me to give back and to care about others.”
As she got older, her love for service never wavered. Burton said her mom would tell her she would make a good social worker, and after talking with her college advisor, Burton said she made the switch from studying elementary education to social work.
Burton has more than 20 years of experience working as a school social worker. Her career began in Guilford County Schools in Greensboro, North Carolina, before she moved to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in April 2020.
Burton has worked at Ashley Park PreK-8 and University Park Creative Arts schools. She currently supports South Pine Academy, Palisades Park Elementary and Harper Middle College High schools.
“Ms. Burton’s expertise and deep understanding of her field enable her to mentor and guide fellow social workers, ensuring they feel supported in their work,” said Shanna Rae, principal at University Park Creative Arts, in her nomination of Burton for the award. “She leads by example, always thinking of others before herself and prioritizing the needs of the people she serves. Ms. Burton’s approach is rooted in compassion, knowledge and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.”
Burton said it warms her heart to be able to help provide resources to her students and families and to see the smiles on her students’ faces when she’s able to bring necessities that might seem small to some, but mean a lot to her families.
“I believe you have to have a heart and care about students and people in general in this line of work,” said Burton. “It’s not a job you can just turn off when you go home, and every day is different. I enjoy my job as a school social worker.”
Burton was named the 2024-25 School Social Worker of the Year for CMS on March 3 during a surprise announcement at South Pine Academy. Burton said she is grateful for the recognition and that she accepts the award on behalf of all school social workers in the district who are also working hard to provide for their students and families.
“I believe that at the end of the day, if we can help a child, it will help our whole world later on,” said Burton. “So that’s what I’m here to do. Serve others. Children, families, whoever needs the help. I’m willing to help.”
