School Psychologist

To give an inside perspective of educational psychology, we sat down with school psychologist Dr. Tiffany Sanders to get her view on the ins-and-outs of the field.

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• What's your educational background/How did you get interested in that subject?
• How/why did you choose that school/program?
• Who do you think makes the best school psychology candidates? Do you recommend doing anything in undergrad/grad school to better set yourself up for success?
• What's your area of specialty within school psychology?
• Where do you currently work? How did you find that position?
• Were there any unexpected hurdles in getting where you are today?
• What does your typical day involve?
• What's your favorite part of the job?
• What do you think makes a great school psychologist?
• Is there anything you don't like about your work?
• What's the most interesting or challenging case/experience you've come across?
• Are you involved with any professional organizations? If so, why?
• What do you think is the most exciting thing happening in this field right now? Who is doing the most interesting research?
• What's the best "must-read/watch" book, video or publication for this field?
• Any other advice for those looking to go into the field?
• What are the biggest considerations someone should think about before pursuing your field?
• Do you have a funny/light-hearted psych-related story?
• Is there anything else you would like to add?

• What's your educational background/How did you get interested in that subject?

  I studied psychology and minored in family and child studies at Northern Illinois University. My initial interest into psychology didn't occur until my sophomore year in college after my sister majored in psychology. She would discuss the things she learned at family dinners and on the phone. It piqued my interest, so I decided to major in psychology. I minored in family and child studies because I believe the family unit is vital to a child's success and wanted to learn about ways to improve family relationships.

• How/why did you choose that school/program?

  I chose the University of Florida for my graduate work because the year prior to applying to graduate school, Chicago had a nasty winter with record snowfall that closed my university for a couple of days. I knew then that I was primarily going to apply to schools in the south, and Florida was my top choice due to family vacations there and reading about the faculty's area of interests, which matched mine.

• Who do you think makes the best school psychology candidates? Do you recommend doing anything in undergrad/grad school to better set yourself up for success?

  The best candidates understand that success in this field requires understanding the educational/school system. They must have a willingness to work with parents as an advocate for their child, to understand behavioral strategies and interventions to work with children who are at-risk or challenging, and to not just test and diagnose and or label.

  Always participate in research studies to become a better researcher. Complete a thesis in undergrad if the opportunity presents itself. Join a professor's research team, always seek out extra training whether it's clinical, counseling or school psych in nature.

• What's your area of specialty within school psychology?

  Working with families and children who are at-risk for failing to thrive, conducting thorough evaluations of a child's cognitive, executive functioning and academic strengths to inform treatment.

• Where do you currently work? How did you find that position?

  I work in private practice and have done so since 2009. I contract my services out to school districts for private evaluations, training and developments and consultation on challenging behavioral and emotional cases.

• Were there any unexpected hurdles in getting where you are today?

  The biggest hurdle was the recession. Schools were slashing budgets and cutting costs wherever they could. So my degree and training weren't enough to protect my job. Consequently, going into business for myself ensures financial security and stability.

• What does your typical day involve?

  Each day of work is different. One thing is for certain, every day I'll be doing some variation of checking emails, returning phone calls, scheduling appointments, writing reports, supervising non-licensed therapists, networking, making media appearances, blogging and counseling clients.

• What's your favorite part of the job?

  Growing the business, networking, media appearances and spreading the word that psychology, interventions and counseling help.

• What do you think makes a great school psychologist?

  Someone who is willing to listen, counsel, intervene even on the toughest of cases, think out of the box and learn new skills.

• Is there anything you don't like about your work?

  The paperwork! Writing reports and case notes takes time and most psychologists I know procrastinate in that area because we'd rather do the intervention than the work that follows.

• What's the most interesting or challenging case/experience you've come across?

  It's extremely challenging to work in inner city schools and come across kids who are in high school who essentially can't read, write or do arithmetic. It's unfortunate to see the child passed along and parents are unaware of what it takes to improve their child's ability to learn.

• Are you involved with any professional organizations? If so, why?

  I'm involved in local organizations that align with my social action and consciousness beliefs and those that are parent-and-child focused to increase the awareness of psychology and mental health.

• What do you think is the most exciting thing happening in this field right now? Who is doing the most interesting research?

  I think the most exciting thing is that we as a body of psychologists are getting from behind the office doors and reaching out to members in the community to spread the word that psychological interventions help; don't be afraid if your child's school is identifying your child as in need of additional support!

• What's the best "must-read/watch" book, video or publication for this field?

  There are many books to read, but one is Parent Articles about ADHD. This book has reproducible handouts that are great for parents and educators who want to learn more about ADHD. Interventions for Academic and Behavior Problems is another great one, and it's produced by the National Association of School Psychologists. Finally, The Comprehensive Handbook of Multicultural School Psychology is also great. We live in an increasingly diverse society so it's important to understand school psychology from a multicultural framework.

• Any other advice for those looking to go into the field?

  Learn as much as you can, and never stop learning.

• What are the biggest considerations someone should think about before pursuing your field?

  Whether you want to earn a PhD or Master's degree. If you're fairly certain that you want to only work in schools, then a Master's degree will suffice. If you want more options than just working in a school setting, pursue a PhD.

• Do you have a funny/light-hearted psych-related story?

  I was providing Christian-based counseling to a couple and I recommended they go into their prayer closet daily to get closer to God and one another. The next time I saw the couple, I asked them for an update. The wife laughed and said that her husband told her “Come on honey, Dr. Tiffany said we need to go into the closet to pray.” He actually thought I literally meant getting in a closet to pray. This story, while funny, reminded me of the importance of communication and how it's easy to misread or misunderstand what a person is trying to say.

• Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Good luck to all pursuing a career in psychology!