What Is a School Psychologist?

I promise no one grows up dreaming of being a school psychologist.  Well, maybe the children of school psychologists do (we actually have a staff member who can vouch for that) but  I know I certainly didn’t.  Something about a car so full of test kits that you can’t fit your groceries in it doesn’t scream “dream job,” but somehow it is. 

So what is school psychology?  I would describe school psychology as the perfect marriage between psychology and education.  School psychologists are trained in mental health, child development, learning styles, behavior, and intervention planning.  Sure, we do a lot of assessment, report writing, and paperwork but, believe it or not, all of those things can be fun.  Assessing a child is like putting together a puzzle of how a kid learns best, helping them see their strengths, and identifying where they struggle.  With that in mind, school psychologists assess for a number of academic and behavioral difficulties including learning disabilities, emotional problems, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities.

While assessment is certainly a large component of the job, school psychologists are trained in skills beyond assessment. School psychologists are key players in intervention planning.  This allows us to provide quick, early help to children who are struggling.  School psychologists can help identify a child’s specific skill deficits in the classroom and consult with school staff and parents about appropriate interventions to be used within the regular education setting.  We assist teachers in implementing these interventions, monitoring the child’s response to intervention, and adjusting the educational goals accordingly. 

In addition to academic concerns, school psychologists also work closely with teachers, parents, and staff to support the behavioral and emotional needs of students.  We have specialized training in assessing the function of behaviors in order to prevent and ultimately eliminate the behaviors.

School Psychologists also have training in mental health issues.  Like school social workers and school counselors, we assist students by linking school supports and community resources to provide a continuum of mental health care.  Not only do we collaborate with community service providers, school psychologists can also provide counseling services related to interpersonal and family issues that interfere with school performance.  Another growing role and function of the school psychologist, unfortunately, is crisis prevention and management.  School psychologists are integral players in the development of crisis response plans and assessing levels of risk given in threat situations.  

The National Association of School Psychology will celebrate School Psychology Awareness Week during the week of November 13, 2017. This year’s theme is Power Up! Be a Positive Charge.  During this week, school psychologists hope to highlight how taking small positive actions creates connections that lead to positive change.  These connections aim to build greater successes by developing the academic and social–emotional skills students need to promote personal achievement, growth, and resilience, as well as a sense of belonging and well-being. These connections align perfectly with the core beliefs of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools:

• Adult behavior impacts student outcomes
• Home, school, and community relationships drive student success
• Students remember how we make them feel
• A growth mindset fosters high expectations for all students
• Students are at the heart of what we do

As we celebrate School Psychology Awareness Week, we hope you will join us and Power Up! Be a Positive Charge! in the lives of our students.