Leander ISD celebrates Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSP) Appreciation Week Nov. 7-11. 

The theme of this year’s #SchoolPsychWeek is “Together We Shine.”

LSSPs apply their expertise in mental health, learning and behavior to collaborate across their campuses to support students served in special education. They also work with campuses on various intervention and prevention efforts.

“We are fortunate to have amazing LSSPs in Leander ISD. I want to send a heartfelt thank you for their incredible work in support of our staff, our students and our families,” Executive Director of Special Programs and Services Kimberly Waltmon said. “LSSPs, celebrate big this week. We appreciate you and we love the work that you’re doing and how you support our students.”

The theme for this year’s National School Psychology Week is “Together We Shine.” This theme promotes the ways that LSSPs work together with families, teachers, administrators and other personnel to help create safe, healthy and supportive learning environments.

Featured #1LISD LSSPS

This LSSP Appreciation Week, LISD is featuring three of the district’s excellent LSSPs.

Becky Martin at Danielson Middle School

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is working directly with students to assist them with developing appropriate emotional, behavioral and social skills. It is rewarding to see students learn, grow and improve their skills to be successful in school. When students improve their mental health and gain appropriate skills, they can access their educational environment to learn and reach their goals.

Is there anything that most people don’t know about the role of a school psychologist?

People don’t often know that Licensed Specialists in School Psychology have received training in many areas including child psychology, learning, child development and school systems/class environments. We provide a range of services to students to assist with mental health, academic achievement, positive social skills and behavior.

Cindy Adame-Hernandez at Running Brushy Middle School

When did you realize that you wanted to be a school psychologist?

I always knew I wanted to work with children, but after studying child development and teaching young students, I realized I wanted to work with children to improve their academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. School psychology gave me the opportunity to improve outcomes for students in one of their most important environments, school.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Everyday is truly different for a school psychologist. My favorite part is working with students across the grade levels. I can start my morning working with a three year old and their family, consult with staff for an elementary aged child and end my day working with middle schoolers.

Josh Parks at Jim Plain Elementary School

When did you realize that you wanted to be a school psychologist?

I first considered going into school psychology after nine years of teaching special education around 2010. Then I took a seven year detour teaching fourth grade before deciding to finally take the plunge in 2017.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of being a school psychologist might be guiding families through the process of identifying a disability and helping to connect them with special education supports and services that will hopefully lead to better school outcomes.