 School psychologists are different makers. How do school psychologists make a difference? All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning, social relationships, making difficult decisions, or managing emotions such as depression, anxiety, worry, or isolation. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. They understand how these issues affect learning, behavior, well-being, and school engagement. School psychologists are highly skilled and ready resources in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life. There are a variety of reasons a child may work with the school psychologist such as learning problems, behavior, or academic issues, and mental health needs. School psychologists have knowledge and skills in many areas such as data collection and analysis, progress monitoring, consultation and collaboration, mental health and behavioral interventions, special education services, and research and program evaluation. School psychologists can work together with teachers to help struggling students in their classrooms. Here is an example of how school psychologists help with academic concerns. Tommy's parents were concerned about his difficulty in reading. They feared that he would fall behind and lose confidence in himself. In school the teacher noted that Tommy understood what was presented in verbal form but that he needed help from his classmates to do written work. After observing Tommy and gathering information about his reading and writing skills, the school psychologist collaborated with his parents and teachers to develop an intervention to improve his reading and writing. The plan worked and both Tommy's reading and self-esteem improved. Here's another example that demonstrates how school psychologists can help with behaviors that lead to academic concerns. David was a high school student who often skipped class. He had very poor behavior and had been suspended from school on various occasions for fighting. After establishing a relationship with David, the school psychologist taught him simple techniques to relax and to control his aggressive behavior. David's mother and his teacher worked together on a plan designed with the school psychologist to establish limits and to improve communication. School psychology is the career for you if you're interested in working directly with children and adolescents, changing practices and policies to improve school outcomes, engaging and challenging in diverse activities that change from day to day and helping students thrive at home, in school, and in life. School psychology has consistently been rated among the hundred best jobs in U.S. news and world report. Demand for school psychologists is exceptionally strong and on the rise. Awareness of the need to provide mental health and instructional supports for children and youth in schools continues to grow. Furthermore, the profession currently faces shortages of qualified school psychologists to fill positions nationwide. There's a particular need for professionals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. School psychology provides a stable career with growth opportunities, good health and retirement benefits and an opportunity to positively impact youth and families. School psychologists receive specialized graduate preparation that includes coursework and practical experiences such as practicum and a year-long internship relevant to both psychology and education. School psychologists to the glee complete either a specialist level degree program of at least 60 graduate hours or a doctorate degree of at least 90 graduate hours. School psychologists can work in schools and other educational and clinical settings. Interested? Keep up with the profession nationally and in your state. Your ESU-8 psychologists are accessible in all schools in ESU-8. Lowering barriers to learning is critical to children's success in school. Contact your school psychologist to find out how he or she can help.