School Psychologists
What is a School Psychologist?
School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students.
School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education, completing a minimum of a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) that includes a year-long supervised internship. This training emphasizes preparation in mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and systems. School psychologists must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which they work. They also may be nationally certified by the National School Psychology Certification Board (NSPCB). The National Association of School Psychologists sets ethical and training standards for practice and service delivery.
School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education, completing a minimum of a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) that includes a year-long supervised internship. This training emphasizes preparation in mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and systems. School psychologists must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which they work. They also may be nationally certified by the National School Psychology Certification Board (NSPCB). The National Association of School Psychologists sets ethical and training standards for practice and service delivery.
School Psychologists Work With Students to:
- Provide counseling, instruction, and mentoring for those struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral problems
- Increase achievement by assessing barriers to learning and determining the best instructional strategies to improve learning
- Promote wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism
- Enhance understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and backgrounds
School Psychologists Work With Students and Their Families to:
- Identify and address learning and behavior problems that interfere with school success
- Evaluate eligibility for special education services (within a multidisciplinary team)
- Support students' social, emotional, and behavioral health
- Teach parenting skills and enhance home–school collaboration
- Make referrals and help coordinate community support services
School Psychologists Work With Teachers to:
- Identify and resolve academic barriers to learning
- Design and implement student progress monitoring systems
- Design and implement academic and behavioral interventions
- Support effective individualized instruction
- Create positive classroom environments
- Motivate all students to engage in learning
School Psychologists Work With Administrators to:
- Collect and analyze data related to school improvement, student outcomes, and accountability requirements
- Implement school-wide prevention programs that help maintain positive school climates conducive to learning
- Promote school policies and practices that ensure the safety of all students by reducing school violence, bullying, and harassment
- Respond to crises by providing leadership, direct services, and coordination with needed community services
- Design, implement, and garner support for comprehensive school mental health programming
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS:
| Erin Costello |
Marina High School
Crumpton Elementary
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| Andrea Corona |
Colton Middle School
International School of Monterey
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| Eugenie Adams |
Marina Vista Elementary
Olson Elementary
Foothill Elementary
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| Darci Tronick | Birth - 5 | |
| Ben Johnson |
Seaside High
Educational Options
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| Matthew Rohlfes |
Los Arboles Middle School
La Mesa Elementary
Adult Transition
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| Rachael Massey |
Ord Terrace Elementary
Dual Language Academy Program
Marina Child Development Center
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| Veronica Alcaraz |
Del Rey Woods Elementary
MLK School of the Arts
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| Jillian Newell |
Highland Elementary
Seaside Middle School
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| Ar Yang | Monterey High School Monte Vista Elementary |
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| Mary Klotz |
Marshall Elementary
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Resources for School Psychologists
Request for Specialist Assistance form
To view MPUSD Board Policies please click here, log-in information is provided under the heading Board Policy
Online Resources
Tips for supporting students after a crisis event
Required Forms
KEY Program Referral:
STEPS Program Referral:
Behavior Support Plan Training
SDC REFERRAL FORM: