Plewa’s Latest Helping Endeavor: Social Work
Ask Les Plewa to describe himself in one word and there is no hesitation in his response: “helper.”
A teacher at Chicago’s William Howard Taft High School, Plewa shares his vast knowledge of history and government to help his students increase their understanding of the world and develop their critical thinking skills. The past 14 years as a Chicago Public School instructor has been rewarding for Plewa, but he believes he can be a valuable asset to students in another way – as a social worker.
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“I receive great joy in seeing students have ‘aha’ moments, and teaching adolescents provides me hope for the future,” said Plewa, who is in his second year in the master’s program at the Jane Addams College of Social Work. “Along with teaching, I am interested in politics, systems, labor and psychology, and I have been active in micro and macro levels of society since adolescence. All of my jobs have involved some aspect of experience in human relationships.
“Social work includes understanding the different stories of individuals and groups. As an educator, I have been experiencing the impact of various policies, historic ‘isms’, and challenges outside the school which impact learning. I also reflected on my own life experiences. After many years of reflection, I decided this is the time to pursue a degree in social work.”
A native of Chicago’s southwest side neighborhood of Archer Heights, Plewa received a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Illinois Chicago. During his undergraduate days, he became acutely aware of the outstanding reputation of the Jane Addams College of Social Work and of Hull House, the campus’ historic museum that bears the name of one of the most iconic figures in social work. It was only natural that he select the college to further his education, as he sought a program centered in an urban environment that “will prepare me to work in a variety of settings.
“The master’s program has expanded my knowledge base about the interconnectedness of history, policies, funding, and individual and group experiences,” Plewa said. “On the clinical side, I am learning about assessments, diagnosis, interventions and approaches that will provide me with a variety of tools to assist clients. The program uses the social justice lens to examine the history of social work, dismantle systemic racism and historical inequalities, and also reviews clinical theories and research. It’s been a great learning experience.”
Plewa, who is enrolled in the college’s PM-Extended plan of study with a specialization in School Social Work, anticipates graduating in May 2024. After receiving another diploma – a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, he has received a secondary education license from Northeastern Illinois University and obtained a Master of Science degree in Teaching and Learning from St. Francis University – he plans to return to the Chicago Public Schools, not in front of a classroom as an instructor, but this time as a social worker.
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There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.
A favorite quote of Les Plewa, from philosopher Jiddu Krisnamurti