As the school psychologist of Oakside Elementary, it is not only my duty, but my desire to support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. I apply my expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. I partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment that will strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.  I also provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. My purpose is to see Oakside successfully:

Improve Academic Achievement

• Promote student motivation and engagement
• Conduct psychological and academic assessments
• Individualize instruction and interventions
• Manage student and classroom behavior
• Monitor student progress
• Collect and interpret student and classroom data
• Reduce inappropriate referrals to special education.

Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health

• Improve students communication and social skills
• Assess student emotional and behavioral needs
• Provide individual and group counseling
• Promote problem-solving, anger management and conflict resolution
• Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience
• Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving
• Make referrals to and help coordinate community services provided in schools

Support Diverse Learners

• Assess diverse learning needs
• Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds
• Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities
• Modify and adapt curricula and instruction
• Adjust classroom facilities and routines to improve student engagement and learning
• Monitor and effectively communicate with parents about student progress

Create Safe, Positive School Climates

• Prevent bullying and other forms of violence
• Support social-emotional learning
• Assess school climate and improve school connectedness
• Implement and promote positive discipline and restorative justice
• Implement school-wide positive behavioral supports
• Identify at-risk students and school vulnerabilities
• Provide crisis prevention and intervention services

Strengthen Family-School Partnerships

• Help families understand their child's learning and mental health needs
• Assist in navigating special education processes
• Connect families with community service providers when necessary
• Help effectively engage families with teachers and other school staff
• Enhance staff understanding and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Help students transition between school and community learning environments, such as residential treatment or juvenile justice programs

Improve School-Wide Assessment and Accountability Monitor individual student progress in academics and behavior

• Generate and interpret useful student and school outcome data
• Collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes
• Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels

All to say, children and youth can face problems from time to time-related to learning; social relationships; making difficult decisions; or managing emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or isolated. I am here to help your children, my students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. It is my effort to ensure that all children thrive in school, at home, and ultimately, in life.