One of the questions I often get from those studying school psychology, or just wondering about the profession, is “What exactly do you do?” Although the way schools in my area are designed, require a lot of responsibilities, I also like it, because there is flexibility in the job, and no one day is ever the same. So without further ado-
Conduct Psychoeducational Evaluations
I test all students that are being considered for special education services, as well as do triennial evaluations, and all in between.
Write IEP Goals & Objectives
I write goals and objectives for social skills/counseling for all students that get these services on their IEPs.
Design Behavior Plans
I write behavior plans for students in need, usually in collaboration with classroom teachers. In my last district, I wrote FBA’s, but I don’t have to do that now!
Case Manage/Administrative Duties
As a school psych, I case manage all 504 plans, meaning all the paperwork, meetings, etc. that goes along with them. I also have a lot of administrative duties tied to the RTI behavior process.
Attend Meetings
I spend A LOT of time in meetings. PPT meetings, 504 meetings, meetings for students in intervention, parent meetings, internal team meetings, you name it, I’ve been to that meeting.
Provide social skills/counseling services to individuals and groups
To balance out all those meetings, I spend a good chunk of my time providing those services outlined on IEPs and 504 plans. I see some students weekly, some twice weekly, and others every day!
Consult with Teachers & Parents
When I was in graduate school, I enjoyed my class on consultation, but I didn’t really get the importance of consultation until I started working on my own. I love giving suggestions to teachers about dealing with different students, but I also enjoy helping teachers and parents come up with ways they can help students.
Manage Student Behaviors
Day to day, I am the go to person for behaviors of students I have on my caseload, and regular education students in the school. Student crying for no reason? Fighting at recess? Needs a break from peers? I’m your go-to gal.
And that, in a nutshell, is what I spend most of my time doing in my current role as a school psych. Since I know already that this varies, I’d love to hear what everyone else does!