Q: What's a typical workday like for you?
A: I split my time working between two elementary schools. My day typically starts out with a meeting where I collaborate with teachers and parents to find effective solutions to a student's learning or behavior difficulties. I spend a large part of my day collecting and looking at assessment data. This includes evaluating students to determine their eligibility for special services and evaluating the effectiveness of academic and behavior management programs. I use evidence-based research to develop effective interventions that help children to develop skills and manage crises. I also provide prevention services, such as designing programs for children in order to make schools safer and more effective learning environments.
Q: How does your role fit into the bigger health care picture?
A: I help others to understand child development and mental health, and how they affect learning and behavior. I collaborate with school staff and community agencies to provide services directed at improving mental health. I also work with parents to find resources and strategies to address a variety of mental health concerns.
Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?
A: I interact with students, school staff, parents, administrators and other professionals outside of the school, such as psychologists and physicians.
Q: Why did you become a school psychologist?
A: I love to work with children and want to participate in helping them to achieve their best.
Q: What do you like about your work?
A: I enjoy the daily challenges and like to problem-solve with a team of people to help students to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.
