Faculty

Sambra Zaoui

Sambra Zaoui, LMSW joined Barry University’s School of Social Work in the fall of 2009 as an adjunct instructor. In 2011, Mrs. Zaoui was asked to join the team as a full-time instructor. She teaches Social Work Practice I, II & III, for both the MSW and BSW program, as well as HBSE I, Social Work Practice with Women, Social Work Practice with Addictions, Advanced Practice with Individuals and Families, and The Helping course. Along with her teaching schedule, she is also an academic advisor to the BSW students, and mentor to MSW students.

Mrs. Zaoui received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Florida International University in 1996; her Master's degree in Social Work at Barry University in 2001; and her State Of New York Master Social Work License in 2004. Her early work focused on advocating and serving families by being a social work liaison in the court system. As she moved away from the court system, and concentrated her energy on developing her clinical work, her interests shifted to family reunification; family therapy; multi-generational family support groups; gender specific recovery groups; and women survivor’s of sexual abuse groups.

In 1998 she joined the team of El Centro De Libertad, in Redwood City, California, where she served as a clinical therapist/ group leader to both women and men in the process of recovery. She also led the Latino Outreach Program. In 2001, she began working in New York City with New Alternatives for Children, who pioneered their first outpatient substance misuse program in Bronx, New York. Mrs. Zaoui participated in the pioneering evolution of the program by being one of the two social work practitioners selected to work with this population. While in NYC she developed her own private practice which focused on women's issues, most specifically, survivors of sexual abuse, and served as a faith-based counselor to women at Times Square Church.

Although her clinical work fascinated her, she was interested in using her professional experience to educate future social workers. After 15 years in the social work profession, Mrs. Zaoui had seen the best and the worst of her profession: She wanted first hand to be part of the academic process which educates those in her chosen career. Currently, her interest lies with the human trafficking population, and is serving as an Advisory Board Member with The Life of Freedom (LOF) which is based in Coral Gables, Florida. She further serves as mentor and educator to LOF; and is also trained as an outreach worker to trafficked victims. Along with her academic life and community work, Mrs. Zaoui is in the final stages of developing a women's survivors group in Miami Beach. As evidenced by her work and passion, her concentration will continue to be women's issues, more specifically trauma-based issues.

Teaching Philosophy

Professor Zaoui engages students from a strengths based framework: "students come with rich life experiences and intrinsic motivation to learn; I strongly believe that my job entails helping the student develop confidence and competence in themselves by exposing them to knowledge and up to date research. Students will undoubtedly feel empowered and prepared." Professor Zaoui strives to create a safe learning environment where students are encouraged to engage in critical thinking where they can openly share their opinions and reflections. Her teaching methodology includes modeling skills in the classroom that mirror those in a session. She is very cognizant of the many diverse learning styles that students present with; and as such, attempts to create a learning environment that meets the individual and corporate needs of the student. She facilitates her courses by engaging in experiential activities, lectures, inviting guest speakers and creating curriculum congruent field trips. Her style is organized and purposeful, " I know which concepts are most essential that students need to understand; I highlight that which undoubtedly will develop them into competent, effective social workers.