This year for National School Psychology Awareness Week, November 12-16, 2012, the authors urge their school psychologist colleagues across the country to help their students and the colleagues that they support to discover and celebrate their individual strengths. Whether strengths are academic, athletic, or social, they serve to bolster an…

A day in the life of a student at school is filled with potential connections (relationships, linkages in learning, behavioral choices, etc.). Friendships with peers, relationships with teachers, acknowledgements from administrators, encouragement from coaches: These are all interpersonal connections that are essential not only to making school an…

The role of the school psychologist is strategically placed at the epicenter of a child's life. Not only do school psychologists provide direct services to the students at their schools, but they also work and collaborate with teachers, parents, peers, administrators, and community providers. Consequently, the potential impact that school…

Effective discipline is essential to creating safe, supportive learning environments for all students, which is critical to academic achievement. Since the passage of zero tolerance policies in the early 1990s, many school districts have relied on punitive discipline focused on harsh strategies such as using suspension and expulsion as primary…

This year, the Communications Workgroup is dedicated to keeping an eye on the positive--in students, in colleagues, and in themselves. Recognizing the positive people and opportunities encountered can temper the stress of crises, differences of opinion, and daily challenges of being a school psychologist. Emphasizing possibilities is also a…

Being the "go-to" person who understands how to deal with problems and help struggling students succeed is truly something to be proud of and promote. School psychologists want administrators, teachers, and parents to view them as an invaluable resource for effective problem solving. Shining a light on the positive aspects of their work and the…

School psychologists are often called upon to give presentations to staff, parents, or other stakeholders such as school board members or local politicians. The purpose can range from providing simple strategies on a specific issue to advocating for support (policy and funding) for a particular program. While all presentations are genuine…