A few months ago, Dr. Rebecca Branstetter of the stellar blog Notes from the School Psychologist approached me to read the manuscript for her new book, The School Psychologist's Survival Guide, and write a blurb for the promotional materials. She thought that as a recent entry to the field, I would bring the "newbie" psychologist views to the book.
Seriously? That's like Kobe Bryant asking some of my 7th grade kiddos if they would play a game of HORSE with him. After squealing to Fiance and doing various spastic dances around our townhouse, I graciously accepted. How flattering and humbling! I was overjoyed to be given the opportunity.
Today, I got a copy in the mail and when I opened it, I saw my name right there on the one of the first few pages, along with "praise" from other excellent professionals. No lie, Fiance and I literally shrieked and waved our hands like Stewie from Family Guy (seriously click this, it's a perfect representation).
Seriously? That's like Kobe Bryant asking some of my 7th grade kiddos if they would play a game of HORSE with him. After squealing to Fiance and doing various spastic dances around our townhouse, I graciously accepted. How flattering and humbling! I was overjoyed to be given the opportunity.
Today, I got a copy in the mail and when I opened it, I saw my name right there on the one of the first few pages, along with "praise" from other excellent professionals. No lie, Fiance and I literally shrieked and waved our hands like Stewie from Family Guy (seriously click this, it's a perfect representation).
Well, now's your chance to shriek and dance around because I am giving away a copy of The School Psychologist's Survival Guide to one lucky reader!
In order to be eligible to win this fantastic resource, comment either on my blog or on my Facebook page with the answer to the following question:
What is one piece of advice or knowledge you learned on the job that you would put into your own survival guide?
Entries will be accepted for one week until April 11, 2012 at 9:00pm EST. The winner will be chosen from all entries using a random number generator, and I will contact him/her to find out where to mail the book. I'm excited to share this resource with others!
Don't forget to check out and "Like" my Facebook page!
I have learned how to break bad news/evaluation data to parents. After a couple of years, of talking with parents, I have learned that a majority of them are nervous of what I may have to say to them about evaluation data. They are afraid I am going to tell them their child is incapable of learning or not average. I try to give evaluation data with a mix of funny things their child may have done while working with them, and an outline of their strengths and weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteThe best advice I ever received was: When questioning whether or not you can make a difference in a child's life, remember that at the very least, you can always provide the child with a positive experience with a mental health professional. That way, they will be more likely to seek help again in the future. School psychologists can "plant that seed".
ReplyDeleteI quickly learned that this field is about making relationships and making people feel comfortable. The more approachable and down to earth I appear to parents the better I can communicate during a meeting. It's very important to make the effort to meet with parents before hand and talks to them about their fears and worries. That initial meeting always seems to open doors when delivering not so positive news. It always makes me feel happy when I've met a parent before a meeting and they walk into a room full of school staff, they look around the table and look directly at the people they are already familiar with. There's a sense of comfort and relief I appreciate. I always try and put myself in their shoes and validate their concerns.
ReplyDeleteFirst - HOLY COW congratulations! and I also emitted an unprofessional but self-satisfying SQUEEEE! when I read your post. Very cool Aimee!
ReplyDeleteNow on to your question - the one piece of advice that I have received and now share is to give yourself (new school psychologist) time and room to learn and grow. I've spent the first nine months of my job watching and listening, all the while I was treading water. With less that 10 weeks left in the school year (yes! you heard that right :D ), I am already making plans of what I am going to do next year and how I am going to manage it. We often feel that after the many years of learning, training and preparation, we should drop into our new jobs and be able to function smoothly. Or at least I did. I've since learned this is not the case - it takes time to develop your own groove. For maybe the ONLY time in my working career, I am impatient for summer to come and go, because I am eager to start the new school year with all the great things that I've learned being on my own this year.
The best advice I've ever received was: don't let this job take over your life. While it can be very rewarding, this line of work can quickly become overwhelming. There is so much to do & never enough time to get everything done. If you aren't careful, you can get burned out. This is a hard thing for me to remember sometimes but over the years I've gotten better. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe one piece of advice that has helped me the most is "Let it go." I tend to ruminate on tough meetings, advocates' remarks, and other stressful aspects of the job. Learning to let go of the tougher aspects of the job have helped me to enjoy my job even more.
ReplyDeleteMy supervisor always told me that I needed to take care of myself so I could take care of others. So important to set boundaries and practice self-care. Going to spend spring break starting Monday relaxing and having some fun so I can come back refreshed and energetic! Seems like there is always more that I could do, but if I do too much I won't be any good for anyone. So it's not being selfish or failing to leave the work at school and go home at the end of the day!
ReplyDeleteWhen talking with parents, always remember that for them, this is new. Even if they've had other children go through special education, or you're meeting for a triennial, it's still new for them even if I have done it 1000 times. It's important to take the time, build the relationship, and always put myself in the parent's place before ever opening my mouth.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things that come to mind, but I think the most important is make sure others know what it is that we do!! We do so many things on a day-to-day basis, beyond testing and attending meetings, and it is important that students, families, and school staff know what are training is and what we are able to provide to a school. I know that marketing ourselves might not seem to be an important job responsibility, but in these budgetary times... it is our MOST IMPORTANT TASK :)
ReplyDeleteMy key to survival is two-fold. First, an organization system that would make the OCD population swoon keeps me on top of every eval, counseling case, and "to do" item in my crazy world. Second, I don't take it home on the weekends. And when I do, I end up negotiating with myself to get it done during the week anyway. Almost impossible, but if there's a will to find time during the week then there is a way. You will make your deadlines. And I even work in a high volume district for evals. There are 2 of us psychs for about 4500 kiddos and lots of parent requests for testing. I get 4th-12th grades. But I still make it work.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Aimee! What an honor!
ReplyDeleteI am a school psychology intern about to graduate in May. YAY!! I have learned many things throughout my internship. The most important and helpful key to survival for me is that I have learned to be an active listener. Instead of always contributing to the conversation, I have found that if we just let parents/teachers talk out their problems and concerns without interruptions, they can usually work out issues on their own. Sometimes, all our parents and teachers really want is someone to talk to to, someone to understand them, and someone there to provide support when they need it. Just showing that you genuinely care about what others have to say and understanding their perspective can make a world of difference when it comes to building quality relationships.
So glad I found your blog. I'm completing practicum right now, and have my internship position set up for next year. Definitely scared, but ready! I've learned a ton this semester through my fantastic supervisors, but parent communication is probably the biggest thing I've learned. The more you can relate to the parent, the more comfortable they will feel. Meeting with parents before meetings is so helpful, and seems to put them more at ease, especially with initial referrals.
ReplyDeleteThe best advice that I learned was to focus on services when sharing news with families. The news can be hard for families to hear for the first time, so you have to be understanding and gentle. But getting everyone on the same page when talking about how to service the student goes a very long way to help put the family (and yourself) at ease.
ReplyDeleteI think the most important thing I have learned this year is to follow through on promises made. Either giving parents information or meeting with student, demonstrating to others that they can rely on you is important to building relationships.
ReplyDeleteWell, there are many! I'd have to say that forming a relationship with parents is perhaps one of the most helpful things I can do.
ReplyDelete