Posted on November 11, 2024
Categories: News from SDP

Name: Veronica Knapper
Location: 440 Administration Office

What made you want to become a school Psychologist?
Answer: I became a school psychologist because as a teacher I was interested in understanding why some students who experienced academic challenges received services and some did not. I began to speak with the school psychologist at my school and that was the beginning of new learning and a new career path! I am also grateful to have the opportunity to serve as the Director of Psychology Services for the School District of Philadelphia. I am privileged to work with an amazing team of psychologists who are committed and dedicated to serving students in Philadelphia.

How do School Psychologists go above and beyond for their students?
Answer: Many of the school psychologists in the School District of Philadelphia go above and beyond to serve students by managing large caseloads, meeting compliance timelines that are shorter than the mandated requirements, volunteering to serve on committees to enhance the growth of new and veteran psychologists and demonstrating flexibility when asked to pivot due to unforeseen circumstances!

What do you want everyone to know about the work of a School Psychologist?
Answer: School psychologist serve a pivotal role on the school team and have a unique skillset that enables them to administer psychological assessments, interpret data, identify the root cause of a student’s academic challenges, determine eligibility for specialized instruction, recommend strategies that help students fulfill their potential and write legally defensible and comprehensive reports.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Answer: The most rewarding part of my job is collaborating with stakeholders to establish systems, processes and procedures that will enhance the work that is done in the Office of Special Education and Diverse Learners.

Name: Janay Jones
Location: 440 Administration Office

What made you want to become a school Psychologist?
Answer: When I was a teacher many years ago, one of my students had recently been adopted and was experiencing a lot of transition. He met regularly with the school psychologist, and she frequently shared with me about her role in helping him navigate all of the changes in his life. As the school psychologist generously took the time to speak to me more about her experiences, I became more excited about exploring the field on my own.

How do School Psychologists go above and beyond for their students?
Answer: School psychologists go above and beyond for students by learning as much as possible about the students we serve. School psychologists must incorporate information about a student’s cultural background, early development, current academic, behavioral, and social functioning in order to make decisions about the best services for children. When it comes to discovering everything about a student, we don’t leave any stones unturned!

What do you want everyone to know about the work of a School Psychologist?
Answer: School psychologists are highly-qualified, experienced, and compassionate individuals who use their knowledge about child development and academic achievement in order to make educated decisions about students. We strongly desire to be work collaboratively with families and school teams.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Answer: The most rewarding part of my job is being able to provide some assistance to a student or a family who may be feeling unsure, frustrated, or stuck about their educational experience. Additionally, this year, I am deeply humbled and honored to lead a team of the most dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate professionals-the school psychologists of the School District of Philadelphia.

Name: Donna Wilson
Location: EW Rhodes/Dr. Ethel Allen

What made you want to become a school Psychologist?
Answer: I didn’t know anything about School Psychology when I was looking into graduate programs. I thought my only option was Clinical Psychology. My undergraduate advisor encouraged me to investigate school psychology. After doing my research, I realized that this was the field for me. It combined my desire to work with children and my love of education. Twenty-seven years later, I am so glad that I chose School Psychology.

How do School Psychologists go above and beyond for their students?
Answer: School Psychologists go above and beyond for their students by providing comprehensive evaluations to help ensure that they receive appropriate services. School Psychologists also make themselves available to the school staff and parents to support with issues regarding children.

What do you want everyone to know about the work of a School Psychologist?
Answer: School Psychologists do more than evaluate students to determine if they are eligible for special education. We offer consultation to teachers, participate in developing academic and behavioral interventions, provide resources to schools and families and offer a safe space for students who are struggling or just having a bad day.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Answer: I have been fortunate to be assigned to the same school for a long period of time. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the growth of the scholars! I have evaluated children who have limited communication skills initially. When I re-evaluate them and they are able to respond to questions and actively participate in the evaluation process, it shows that they are making progress in their educational program.

Name: Brian Connors
Location: Northeast Community Propel Academy

What made you want to become a school Psychologist?
Answer: Before becoming a school psychologist, I worked as an in-class support professional for students with behavioral difficulties. I loved the helping aspect of my job, but I wanted to expand my skill set so that I could do more to support students and families in need. Luckily, I worked with a fantastic school psychologist who convinced me to pursue school psychology rather than clinical psychology. Now that I am in my fifth year as a school psychologist, I can say with confidence that I made the right choice!

How do School Psychologists go above and beyond for their students?
Answer: Going above and beyond as a school psychologist can mean being the person who helps a child regulate during one of their toughest moments. Other times, going above and beyond can mean making sure your prize bin stays fully stocked so students can be rewarded for their hard work on assessments. I am grateful to be working with such wonderful colleagues in the School District of Philadelphia who are willing to go the extra mile for their students.

What do you want everyone to know about the work of a School Psychologist?
Answer: Although school psychologists are primarily responsible for completing psychoeducational evaluations, we have useful skills and training in individual and group counseling, risk assessment, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), evidence-based interventions, data anaylsis, and more. We are here to support the school community in many ways.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Answer: The most rewarding part of my job is being a part of a student’s support system when they may be going through some of the most difficult times in their life, and being able to help them succeed.

Name: Kristine Esposito
Location: IU26

What made you want to become a school Psychologist?
Answer: While exploring graduate programs in psychology, I discovered the field of school psychology and immediately realized this was the career for me. School psychology combines my passion to help children and families with my love of education and psychology. I became a school psychologist to positively impact children’s lives, help students succeed both in and out of the classroom, and help educators and families support both academic achievement and mental wellness in students.

How do School Psychologists go above and beyond for their students?
Answer: School psychologists go above and beyond by consulting with teachers and school staff, providing guidance to parents and families, providing comprehensiive evaluations to assist with determining appropriate services, and advocating for the best interests of their students. School psychologists help children overcome barriers to learning by identifying those barriers, such as how a child processes information, social or emotional factors, or other family or environmental issues, and recommending potential strategies that may work best in order for a child to reach their full potential.

What do you want everyone to know about the work of a School Psychologist?
Answer: School psychologists are here to help! We receive training in a variety of aspects in education and psychology that make us uniquely qualified members of the school team. School psychologists have knowledge in assessment and analysis of data that assists in determining not only why a student may be struggling academically or behaviorally but what strategies may work best in order to for a child to be successful in the classroom and in the community. Our background in psychology and education allows us to consider the whole child, including academic development, social and emotional development, and mental and physical health, in determining students’ needs.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Answer: As a school psychologist on the IU team, I work across a variety of schools with children from different age groups. I enjoy collaborating with teachers and staff, being a resource for parents, and advocating for students’ needs. The most rewarding part of the job is helping parents and teachers understand the strengths and needs of a student to determine appropriate supports and seeing a student make progress.