School psychologists have specialized training in both psychology and education. They use their training and skills to team with educators, parents and other mental health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. The training requirements to become a school psychologist are a minimum of sixty graduate semester hours including a year-long internship. The training emphasizes preparation in mental health, child development, school organization, learning, behavior and motivation. To work as a school psychologist, one must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which services are provided.
What
does the GYR school psychologist do?
She's available for consultation with teachers, parents and administrators about problems in learning and behavior
She's a permanent member of the
Student Support Team (SST) and helps the faculty and parents identify the
cause of students' learning difficulties and intervention strategies to enhance
success at home and school
She completes thorough evaluations to help determine the cause of persistent learning difficulties and eligibility for special services when children are not making adequate progress despite interventions
She's a member of the school's
crisis response team
She provides training opportunities to assist the staff in recognizing escalating behaviors and early intervention and therapeutic techniques
Jacalyn McCallum also works at
a second elementary school and is a mentor to new school psychologists in
Wake County
