Nov. 11-15 is National School Psychology Week
Do you know a school psychologist?
If you do, please tell them “thank you” for the incredible work they do.
But you may not know one. And you may not even know what they do. Much of their work is behind the scenes or at least out of the spotlight. But their work is critical for the education and development of so many students.
That’s why we’re thanking and highlighting them this week, National School Psychology Week, Nov. 11-15.
Arlington ISD has a team of incredibly dedicated school psychologists who work on behalf of students all year long.
So what do they do?
“School psychologists help improve student mental health, behavior and academic achievement through direct assessment and collaborating with parents, campus staff and community agencies to develop and implement interventions that promote student success,” said Dr. Carla Egyed, LSSP, Arlington ISD lead school psychologist. “School psychologists also work with district personnel to advocate for and develop district-wide programming and services to promote safe and positive learning environments for all students.”
In other words, they apply expertise in mental health, learning and behavior to help students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally (NASP).
“They assist students, families, educators and members of the community in understanding and resolving social and emotional issues that students may face,” said Arlington ISD school psychologist Stacey LaRoche. “School psychologists differ from other mental health professionals in the school district as they tend to focus on the long-term/chronic needs of the students they evaluate and work with.”
As they partner with students, teachers, families and others, school psychologists improve students’ ability to learn and help teachers teach effectively.
“Without school psychologists we would not be able to identify students to get them the help they need,” said Mondie Childress, an Arlington ISD school psychologist for Atherton, Hale and Goodman elementary schools and Ousley Junior High. “We are also a great resource and support for teachers and staff working with challenging students and help parents better understand the differences in their children. We are often the ones that people turn to when they have exhausted all strategies and it’s our job to provide answers and an understanding of the child.”
It can be a difficult and complex job, and it takes a special expertise. School psychologists are all licensed specialists in school psychology (LSSP) who have completed extensive graduate work and a 1,200-hour supervised internship. They are specifically trained to work with children in the school setting and to understand special education law.
But the license and expertise are not enough. They also possess a deep devotion to students and their success.
‘I love collaborating with campus and district teams to create solutions to challenging student needs,” Egyed said. “I enjoy the relationships that I have developed with fellow school psychologists, school staff, families and students.”
Strand feels the same way.
“I love working directly with students, parents and teachers and addressing the whole child,” she said. “I love having the opportunity to make an impact in a child’s life and sometimes be a child’s only advocate and voice. I love when I get to see a student’s success and progress year to year and know I had a small role in that.”
Dr. Karin Kliemann, an Arlington ISD special education coordinator, knows first hand the impact the district’s school psychologists make every day.
“I have the honor of supporting our school psychologists,” said Kliemann. “In this capacity, I have been able to hear their passion for the work of not only completing quality evaluations for students suspected of a disability, but also for their work to be proactive on their campuses.”
Thank you to all of the school psychologists working every day to support Arlington ISD students!