Last week I lived in FOMO from all of the school psychologists at the NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) conference. I may have even my FOMO to justify one too many caramel macchiatos. I love connecting with School Psychologist and hope to be able to go back to the conference one day when my kiddos are older, or it comes nearby again.

As the conference came to a close, NASP issued a great deal of information on the School Psychologists shortage and their recommended ratio. I’ve also seen so much talk about school psychs being overworked and stressed out, especially this time of year.

So, I wanted to share today, my experience, which is the opposite. I don’t do this to brag about my job or role, but to share that there are different experiences in this field, and to not deter anyone from the occupation thinking that all School Psychs are overworked and overstressed.

I have had two wonderful jobs in Connecticut in my seven years as a school psychologists. Both have been elementary level, and in both, I have been in one building, 5 days a week, with a 1:300-400 psych to student ratio.

Being in a building every day has allowed me to become a member of the school community-I worked with children with IEPS, 504, intervention plans, and regular education students. I meet with parents and teachers, and I conduct some classroom lessons. I do counseling, evaluations, crisis, and play on the plaground. I love this work.

One of the main reasons I love this position is the balance it affords me to be a working parent. The first 3 years of my job, I went in early every day, and I left the school when it was dark. I poured my heart and soul into my job. And I loved it. When I had my first child, the balance changed, and I knew it would. Over the years, I’ve figured it out, but it works for me. I leave within 30-45 minutes of the kids leaving every day. I don’t bring work home, with the exception of a report or 2 on the weekend 1-2x a month. On the other hand, when I’m at work, I’m WORKIN’. I use every single minute I have. I don’t eat lunch and chat with my coworkers most days because I’m at my computer eating a salad and writing progress notes. When I get to work in the morning, I’m working within a few minutes. I use every second I have. Sure, I’d love to spend more time chatting away and not scarfing down my food, but in this season of life, I know it’s hard to “have it all”.

Before I had kids, I supplemented by job by working summer school. I loved that it kept me busy, and still allowed me to go to the beach. I love now that I get to spend my summers and my vacations playing with my kids.

There are good days and bad days, and badddddd days, don’t get me wrong. There have been times when I have shed tears in coworkers offices over contentious meetings. There have been days when I have put up a face of happiness and hope when others needed it, and gotten into my car and cried my eyes out. I wouldn’t even say every day is easy, this is a tough job, but it’s a good job.

Again, I share this not to boast about my job and position, but to share the good along with the bad.

So in closing, I wanted to tell you future and current school psychologists that you may not love today or tomorrow, you may not love the school or the team, but love being a school psychologist, and if you are not in the role you desire, keep advocating, you deserve more.