What Do School Psychologist and Counselors Do?
School psychologists and counselors often wear many hats! Not only do we provide direct support to students in the form of counseling or behavioral interventions, but we also consult with teachers and families, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate outside-of-school services. Among other things, school psychologists and counselors help schools successfully...
Improve Academic Achievement
- Conduct psychological and academic assessments
- Support teachers in designing and implementing interventions
- Help manage student and classroom behavior
- Monitor student progress
- Collect and interpret student and classroom data
Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health
- Improve students' coping, social, and adaptive skills
- Assess student emotional and behavioral needs
- Provide individual and group counseling
- Make referrals to outside service providers
Support Diverse Learners
- Assess diverse learning needs
- Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds
- Help develop appropriate IEPs for students with disabilities
- Adjust classroom facilities and routines to improve student engagement and learning
Strengthen Family–School Partnerships
- Assist families 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
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
(Adapted from the National Association of School Psychologists, 2014)
About the School Adjustment Counselor:
Jessica moved from NH to the Amherst area in 1995 and completed her B.S. in Psychology at UMass Amherst in 1999. After teaching preschool and raising 3 children, she began working as the Program Assistant for Community Network for Children in Union #28. In 2013 Jessica started employment at SES as the Office Administrator. She went back to UMass Amherst as a graduate student in 2017, receiving her Masters in Education for School Counseling and her Ed. Specialist degrees in 2021. She now splits her time between Shutesbury Elementary School and Leverett Elementary School in the role of School Adjustment Counselor. Jessica lives in Shutesbury with her 3 children (2 who are in college in VT), her partner and her 2 dogs (Eddie and Freddie). In her spare time, she can be found driving her teenager around, visiting her children in Burlington, VT or hiking on local trails in the woods.
Jessica Carlson-Belanger at [email protected]
About the School Psychologist
Amadee grew up in Western Mass and has fond memories of attending a small elementary school much like SES. After finishing her M.Ed. in 2006, she gained experience as a teacher of English language learners, reading intervention teacher, and an elementary classroom teacher. During this time, the desire to better understand the diverse needs of her students led her to the field of School Psychology. She completed her Ph.D. in School Psychology at Umass Amherst in 2018. Amadee is a mom to three boys, and when not at SES enjoys fixing up her old house and exploring with her family.
Amadee Meyer at [email protected]