ABSTRACT
In recent years, a pandemic-related mental health crisis, chronically under-resourced community-based organizations, and social worker shortages in schools are prompting our profession to question traditional models of educating social work students. In response to these complex nuances and to strengthen skill development opportunities for MSW students, one school of social work piloted an initiative to integrate simulation into generalist practice courses focused on school social work. In this pilot initiative, students engaged in three technology-based and two actor-based simulations. Simulation pedagogy was embedded into the curriculum including debriefing and critical reflection exercises to enhance skills and reflect on antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) principles. This teaching note aims to (1) outline a pedagogical approach for integrating simulation experiences into generalist MSW practice courses; (2) describe feedback received from students and instructors and; (3) discuss lessons learned from the initiative. Implications for clinical social work education are discussed.
