Department of Psychology at Illinois State University
Jana
My name is Jana Ream and I am a graduate of the specialist program in school psychology at Illinois State. As I began my undergraduate career, I knew I was interested in psychology and had several ideas of what I would do once I graduated. As I took more psychology, educational psychology, and special education classes, I began to believe more strongly in the bi-directional influences between students' academic lives and their socio-emotional development. I also became a firm believer in the beneficial effects of addressing students' needs through a problem-solving approach, early intervention, and prevention. Because school psychologists have the opportunity to collaborate with administrators, teachers, and parents to address students' academic and socio-emotional development through early intervention and prevention, I knew it was the perfect career for me to pursue. As I researched school psychology graduate programs in the Midwest, Illinois State quickly became my number one choice of schools to attend. I was initially drawn to Illinois State because of the program's highly respected reputation and NASP accreditation. However, as I began to learn more about the program I realized the multiple benefits Illinois State has to offer beyond a well-respected reputation. In particular, the program offers students the opportunity for both research and practical experiences beginning in the first year. Moreover, the supportive faculty members have a wide variety of research interests providing their students with the opportunity to pursue various avenues of interest. Currently, I am completing my internship experience with a diverse student population under a problem-solving approach. The training at Illinois State far surpassed my expectations in preparing me for this internship experience. Because of my internship experiences and the wonderful training I received at Illinois State, I feel incredibly prepared to serve as a competent and effective school psychologist. If you have any questions about school psychology in general or the program at Illinois State, please feel free to contact me at jlcurra@ilstu.edu
Mary
My name is Mary Wurster and I am a graduate of ISU's specialist-level school psychology program and currently a practicing school psychologist in the Chicago suburbs. Before attending Illinois State, I obtained a master's degree in school counseling. During my master's work, I made the decision to look into school psychology programs. I wanted to take a more active stance in assisting children and adolescents in having a positive educational experience by helping to provide them with the supports and resources they needed to be successful. Upon further investigating the field of school psychology, I saw that the field provided many opportunities to build upon my previous training
The field is a perfect blend of psychology and education. It also has many other benefits including role flexibility, high job satisfaction, career stability, and the benefits of working in a school environment. I choose to attend Illinois State for a variety of reasons. The school psychology program has a large and supportive faculty, who provided various opportunities for clinical and research experience. I was also impressed by Illinois State's ability to fund its school psychology graduate students.
After completion of the program at ISU, I felt well prepared to excel as a school psychologist. I felt confident in my knowledge of a variety of concepts and skills including RTI, problem-solving, service delivery, assessment, behavior support, and skills training/counseling. Overall, I am very happy with my choice to attend Illinois State for my specialist degree in school psychology. If you have any questions about the program or working as a school psychologist, please don't hesitate to contact me at marywurster@hotmail.com
Steve
My name is Steve Mihalopoulos, a 2001 graduate of Illinois State's Specialist program in School Psychology. I currently work at Maine South High School in Park Ridge, IL, where my duties include assessment, counseling, collaboration, consultation, and crisis intervention. Along with my daily responsibilities, I also coach soccer and coordinate a Suicide Awareness program.
My training at ISU truly prepared me for the multifaceted role school psychologists are expected to play. In addition to the coursework, my classmates and I gained valuable experiences as student clinicians at the Psychological Services Center and through our practicum fieldwork at various area schools. We were given unique opportunities to, not only conduct comprehensive evaluations, but also to interpret and present results to parents, participate in weekly multidisciplinary team meetings, provide counseling to students, and consult with teachers.
The professors at ISU were excellent: knowledgeable, caring, and always abreast of best practices and latest trends in school psychology. The individualized attention they provided, along with the aforementioned experiences, prepared me for a smooth transition into my internship year. I, in fact, was later hired by the school district at which I completed my internship. I recommend the School Psychology program at ISU with enthusiasm. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at smihalopoulos@maine207south.org
Jenn
My name is Jenn Wierzbicki and I am currently a school psychologist for Kildeer Countryside District 96 in Buffalo Grove, IL. I work primarily in one of our middle schools, providing student counseling, teacher consultation through problem solving, and special education evaluations, as well as serving as a member on our district's Response to Intervention steering committee. I also work as a behavior intervention specialist throughout the district, assisting teams with the development, implementation, and maintenance of complex behavior plans. I completed the school psychology specialist program at Illinois State, and I am continuously grateful for the thorough, innovative training I received in those three years. I chose my career in school psychology because this field offers a unique opportunity to combine the insight of psychology with the critical importance of a child's education in the environment where children learn the bulk of their academic, emotional, and social patterns. Stating that ISU's program is NASP approved cannot fully speak to the quality of this training in the field of school psychology. True to its promise of a comprehensive training experience, ISU is serious about practical training in the field and emphasizes the importance of being able to inform our professional practice with research and theory. As a student in this program, you will have a wide variety of practicum experiences (beginning your first semester) to apply what you learn in the classrooms, and you can take on graduate assistantships to compliment your experiences. Something that I valued about the ISU program is that students are trained rather equally in assessment and intervention, ensuring that graduates can go on to jobs that broaden the once narrow/traditional role of the school psychologist. You will be trained to link assessment and intervention and to view the child as a part of many environmental systems that contribute to his or her success in school and mental health. Training with such detail and focus, coupled with the friendly support of the professors/mentors in the program made my overall experience in the program memorable and worth the time, money, and effort of a graduate-level education. More importantly, I now head off to school in the morning with the feeling that I am a competent, prepared practitioner and school team member because of the foundation I built at Illinois State.
Amanda
My name is Amanda March and received my specialist degree in School Psychology from Illinois State in 2004. I was drawn to the field of school psychology in that it's not only a profession highly in demand and carries with it a sound income, but it also combines my love for children with the theory, research, and practice of psychology. After receiving my undergraduate degree in psychology, I knew my primary professional goal was to become a certified school psychologist and work directly in the school systems. I understood what must precede this, however, was the exceptional academic training, research experience, and practical skills that would emerge from enrolling in a top-notch school psychology graduate training program. When searching all over the nation for a specialist program, ISU stood out among all others. First, ISU's program encompasses all aspects of the school psychology discipline such as theory, data-based decision-making, prevention and intervention design and implementation, program development and evaluation, consultation, professional collaboration, counseling, and practical experience allowing its students to develop the necessary skills to thrive in the profession. Along with this, NASP accredits this program due to its comprehensive curriculum, its high standards for training and achievement, as well as its outstanding reputation to produce qualified and successful school psychologists. Additionally, the program's knowledgeable faculty members are committed to their students' education and professional growth, which remains evident through their continual support and encouragement.
After receiving my degree, I worked as a school psychologist for four years at the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services (GLASS) in Lafayette, Indiana. Through the progressive training I received at ISU coupled with my experiences at GLASS, I developed further interest in organizational consultation, program evaluation, and systems-change activities. Thus, I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in School Psychology at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have at amandamarch8@hotmail.com.
Greg
My name is Greg Robinson and I graduated from Illinois State with a Masters in School Psychology in 1980. Though my graduate work in Normal was over a quarter of a century ago (no it is not true that I played with Alfred Binet!), the skills I learned through my participation have served me well as a school psychologist, state consultant in special education, elementary principal, associate superintendent, and superintendent. Specifically, I learned about expecting the best of myself as well as others, how to be a member of a team striving for a common goal, and how to consult with others on behalf of children of all ages. In my visits back to campus over the years, it is obvious that the school psychology program at Illinois State has continued to make improvements in its road to excellence since I took classes at DeGarmo Hall. One thing that has not changed, however, is the faculty focus on preparing graduate students to meet the psychological needs of our ever-changing schools and communities. If I can be of any help in making your decision about ISU, please do not hesitate to contact me at the following address, phone number, or e-mail address. This is an important decision, but one you will not regret if you choose Illinois State University. I can be contacted at Dr. Greg Robinson, Superintendent of Schools, Urbandale Community School District, 11152 Aurora, Urbandale, Iowa 50322, or by e-mail at robinsong@urbandale.k12.ia.us or by phone at (515)457-5002.
Kristy
My name is Kristy Herrell and I am a 2007 graduate from the school psychology program at Illinois State. I graduated from Miami University in Ohio in 2003 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Studies. During my time at Miami University, my curiosity in child development and the U.S. Education system further developed. As college graduation approached, I wanted to attend graduate school but was not sure what program and school would be the best fit for me. I then worked as a paraprofessional in an inclusive preschool setting and alternative high school. These experiences provided me with time to search for a program and school while also gaining invaluable experiences working with different types of children. As a paraprofessional, I worked with a variety of school psychologists and found their role to be fascinating. The roles of the school psychologist of specific interest to me included consulting with teachers and parents, developing intervention plans, monitoring children's academic and behavioral progress, working with children individually and/or in small groups, and completing assessments and case studies. As i began my search for school psychology programs, Illinois State's program immediately caught my eye. When searching their Web site, it was apparent the faculty were supportive of their current students and open to talking with prospective students. When I attended the school psychology visitation day, current students and faculty took time to answer questions and discuss "hot topics" with prospective students. My experiences on the visitation day put the School Psychology Program at the top of my list. I already knew Illinois State had an accredited and highly respected school psychology program throughout the state and country. However, the visitation day allowed me the opportunity to meet the people who would guide me through my professional training.
Completing my degree at ISU has given me a competitive edge in the job market. I just finished my first year as an early childhood school psychologist at the La Grange Area Department of Special Education in La Grange, IL. With the depth of coursework and practical experiences in assessment, consultation, social-emotional and academic intervention provided in the ISU program, I felt fully prepared to complete the role of a school psychologist. The school psychology faculty and students have also helped me learn the value and importance of being a life-long learner. Therefore, I look forward to all that I am going to learn on through professional development and throughout my career as a school psychologist. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at kherrell22@yahoo.com Good luck in your search and I hope you find in your search what I found at Illinois State,
Claire
My name is Claire Delahunt and I recently graduated from the school psychology program with my specialist degree. As I begin my first year working as a certified school psychologist, I find myself feeling extremely well-prepared. As a student at ISU, I had access to learning experiences that included exposure to children from various backgrounds with myriad disabilities, hands-on experiences in the field beginning the first semester of study, practice within a variety of service-delivery settings, and very small class size with highly knowledgeable faculty. The information and skills that I acquired and practiced during my time in the school psychology program left me with a thorough understanding of both more traditional and currently developing methods of delivering services to children within a school setting. The faculty was extremely diverse and accommodating, and encouraged students to more deeply explore our personal areas of interest. My decision to become a school psychologist was based on the fact that this particular career combined my love two things: working with children and service to others. These passions, coupled with the widely respected education I received through ISU's school psychology program, have left me feeling eager and prepared to begin my career as a school psychologist.
Ara
My name is Ara Schmitt and I am a proud graduate (2001) of the doctoral program in School Psychology at Illinois State. As an undergraduate student, I was not certain of what field of psychology to pursue, and at which university to train. I cannot be more pleased with my selections of school psychology and ISU. The graduate training I received at ISU excellently prepared me to pursue the practice of psychology in multiple settings through study under an accomplished faculty and applied experienced in specialized practicum sites. For example, I completed coursework related to assessment, intervention, consultation, supervision/administration of services, and program evaluation, and practicum experiences in a variety of school and agency settings. Furthermore, I was able to obtain a variety of applied graduate assistantships at ISU that not only carried a stipend, but a tuition waiver. This is a Program feature that is not present among all APA-accredited programs.
After my fourth year of training on campus, I completed a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral residency at Phoenix Children's Hospital (Phoenix, AZ). Given the breadth of coursework at ISU and completion of pre- and post-doctoral requirements, I successfully obtained a license to practice independent psychology. Upon completion of post-doctoral activities, I served as a certified school psychologist for nearly four years in Tempe, Arizona. I am currently employed as an Assistant Professor of School Psychology at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). Having practiced in multiple settings, I can fully appreciate the breadth and depth of training provided by ISU. These provided me with the flexibility to work in virtually any setting in which child psychology is applied.
In addition to the training I received, I must also mention the lasting relationships I formed through ISU. Faculty members at ISU are true experts and nationally recognized leaders in the field of school psychology. I still consider the faculty my mentors. Furthermore, the manner with which cohorts of students proceed through the Program, coupled with scheduled social events, creates a collegial atmosphere and fosters personal relationships among students. I have life-long friends (and colleagues) through my involvement with the Program. I encourage all to consider the Graduate Programs in School Psychology at Illinois State University. In turn, I am more than happy to share my experiences in the Program at ISU and can be contacted at ajschmitt4@yahoo.com.
Joe
My name is Joe Gentry. I was a doctoral student in the school psychology program at Illinois State and graduated in 2006. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology at ISU and then decided to stay and receive my doctoral degree. After completing four years of coursework, I finished a pre-doctoral internship and a post-doctoral fellowship with The May Institute (www.mayinstitute.org) in Boston Massachusetts, which is an APA-accredited internship. I have recently taken a position as the Director of School Consultation Services at the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (www.autismcenter.org) in Phoenix, AZ. I decided to get my Ph.D. at ISU for a number of reasons. First, the program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is approved by the National Association of School Psychology (NASP). Secondly, the program has a great faculty. It is always nice to work with people who are supportive and excited to work with you. Another reason I chose ISU is that the program covers a wide range of areas I feel are essential for a school psychologist, such as assessment, counseling, consultation, and supervision. Finally, the doctoral degree allows me to specialize my education and helps open the door to working in other non-traditional settings such as clinics, hospitals, mental health centers, and universities, while still having the ability to work in the schools. There are a number of specialty clinics at ISU. As a graduate student you have the chance to be a part in one or more of them. During your second year, you are enrolled in your practicum experiences completing full case evaluations from these and other clinics on campus. In looking back at my education at ISU, I specifically enjoyed the fact that I was able to not only get the best School Psychology training, I was also able to build my skills as a Behavior Analyst working with children with Autism (which is what I am doing today...in the schools). I encourage anyone thinking about a graduate program in psychology to look into ISU's school psychology program; I don't think you will be disappointed. Please feel free to e-mail any questions you have about the program to jgentry@autismcenter.org.
Cathy
My name is Cathy Baechle, a 2000 graduate of ISU's school psychology doctoral program. Before I entered the program, I worked for seven years as an educational diagnostician at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. While in that position, I teamed with a very talented school psychologist who strongly influenced my career path. Her work and dedication to improve the lives of students and their families helped inspire me to pursue a doctorate in school psychology. My experiences at ISU were very rewarding. I especially appreciated the mentorship and leadership of the ISU school psychology faculty members with whom I worked and lasting friendships that were formed during my program.
I currently work as a school psychologist at Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED) in Highland Park, IL. I work with high school students in a therapeutic school for adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disabilities. My job responsibilities include: Individual, group and family therapy; crisis intervention; treatment planning; consultation; assessment; IEP management; and a variety of other duties. ISU's program prepared me very well to meet the needs of students and their families given the many challenges they face on a daily basis. If you would like to talk with me about the program and/or my experiences at ISU, feel free to contact me via e-mail at: cbaechle@nssed.org.
Tracy
Hi, I am Tracy Cruise, a 1998 graduate from the ISU School Psychology doctoral program. Presently, I am full professor at Western Illinois University where I split my teaching time between the School Psychology Specialist's program and the Clinical/Community Mental Health master's program. Additionally, I provide outpatient individual, group, and family therapy through our Psychology Clinic, which serves as a training facility for the C/CMH graduate students.
I decided to pursue my advanced degree in School Psycho log after completing a master's degree in Clinical Psychology at ISU. I knew I wanted to work with children and families and believed the two primary areas in which children function are home and school. Therefore, school psychology seemed like the natural extension of my understanding of children. My emphases in the ISU program were Intervention and Consultation. My practica experiences primarily incorporated consultation and direct services within both schools and clinical settings. The faculty at ISU was very supportive of my desire to combine both my clinical and school psychology interests.
The training I received at ISU extended my knowledge base and provided me with ample opportunities to apply my classroom learning. The large number of school psychology faculty provided exposure to a diversity of approaches and emphases within the field of school psychology. At the same time, I was able to develop a close mentoring relationship with one for the school psychology faculty members. This relationship helped me gain confidence as a professional and take a more in-depth look at my role as a psychologist.
The ISU faculty encouraged a broader conceptualization of doctoral-level school psychology and the locales in which these psychologists could work. I believe this view of school psychology allowed me to seek out an internship and job outside the traditional school setting. This view, along with the support and diversity of the faculty, also helped me achieve my individual goals, while broadening and deepening my educational foundation. I strongly recommend the ISU school psychology doctoral program and would be more than happy to talk with you regarding the program and/or my experience. Please feel free to email me at TK-Cruise@wiu.edu.
Melissa
My name is Melissa, and I decided to pursue a doctoral degree in school psychology at ISU after obtaining my specialist degree from another university and working in schools in various teaching roles and as a school psychologist. I found my interests in child development and psychology were well served in the school psychology profession. Through my training at ISU, I have gained experience in individual and group counseling at ISU, a particular area of interest, in addition to diagnostic skills. My doctoral internship provided a pediatric clinical psychology focus at SIU School of Medicine in the Children's Miracle Network clinics.
After obtaining my doctoral degree, I worked on the faculty at the SIU School of Medicine, teaching residents and working in outpatient clinics. Currently I am in private practice, specializing in diagnostic evaluations and therapy for children and adolescents. I have also held adjunct faculty positions teaching psychology courses while in private practice.
I have found my training at ISU was very valuable in terms of increasing the breadth of my experiences, something that will be important to new practitioners as the role of school psychologists is requiring a wider knowledge base to provide more diverse services. ISU has provided personalized learning including a mentor relationship, unique practical experiences, and an area of specialization; these aspects of the program have proven to be helpful in my career.