What is a School Psychologist?

School psychologists apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They provide assessment, support, and intervention services to students, while partnering with families, teachers, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments.  They also work with school administrators to improve school-wide policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate services for students.  Click here to learn more about school psychology.

Minority Scholarship Program

MASP recently established a Scholarship Program to financially support current graduate students from minoritized and marginalized backgrounds to school psychology, in order to encourage and support a diverse workforce of Michigan school psychologists that more closely matches the student demographics in Michigan. We need your help to raise money for this scholarship this year AND make this effort sustainable in the long term by eventually creating an endowed fund.  You can donate to this scholarship here.

MASP recently established a partnership with TRAILS to support its work. The TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) Curriculum offers a multi-tiered system of support to address the mental health needs of students. At Tier 1, it provides universal social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students, teaching crucial skills for self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. For students exhibiting symptoms of depression and anxiety (Tier 2), TRAILS offers targeted interventions based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, equipping school mental health professionals with the resources to deliver individual or group sessions focused on coping strategies. Finally, Tier 3 focuses on suicide prevention and risk management, providing training and resources to school staff to identify and support students experiencing suicidal ideation. By addressing mental health across these three tiers, TRAILS aims to create a comprehensive and supportive school environment that promotes well-being for all students.

For more information, go to:  TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students)

To address the shortage of special education professionals in Michigan, the Governor established OPTIMISE (Opening the Pipeline of Talent Into Michigan’s Special Education). OPTIMISE aims to effectively attract, prepare, and retain a qualified and diverse workforce in the state while lowering the job vacancy rate. Over the last two years, OPTIMISE has collaborated with professional organizations (including MASP), associations, K-12, higher education institutions, legislators, and the Governor’s office. They’ve gathered and analyzed data and identified strengths, challenges, and opportunities to help reduce barriers to entering a special education career. These efforts have led to actionable recommendations and the beginnings of policy change. OPTIMISE’s outcomes are generated from the work of the Task Force, Core Team, and Action Teams. Members of the teams offer diverse perspectives from rural, urban, and suburban areas.

View the work of the Task Force, Core Team, and Action Teams here

If you are interested in OPTIMISE, consider:

• Joining an Action Team here

• Receiving the OPTIMISE NEWSLETTER here

• Following and sharing OPTIMISE on social media

OPTIMISE is grateful for the work done by passionate people in special education. They welcome you to the table–your voice and support are invaluable.

Remembering School Psychology Legend, Sharon Petty

Sharon Petty – A School Psychologist Remembered

By: Sharon Dusney & Cheryl Somers

Michigan Association of School Psychologists (MASP)

In the field of school psychology, Sharon Petty has legendary status in Michigan and beyond.  She started in the field as a school psychologist in 1959 and retired from Ferndale Public Schools in 1980. On July 1, 1972, Sharon and a group of colleagues met and created the first newsletter for school psychologists in Michigan. The goal was to establish school psychology as an overlapping but distinct profession from general psychology and change the name/role "diagnostician" to the broader role for school psychologists that we all know today. Sharon was pivotal in this work for many decades. She was an advocate for our role as school psychologists and for the rights of children her entire life. 

As part of her work in our state, Sharon served on the executive board of MASP her entire career, including as President in 1979 and again in 1999. Sharon was also part of the development of NASP in the late 1960s. She served as the conference chair for both NASP and MASP, providing professional development opportunities for thousands. She took that role very seriously at our state conferences in particular. Many may remember her wearing her cowboy hat during conferences while she ran the registration table and interfaced with the conference venue. It was always easy to direct people needing help to “the person in the cowboy hat.” It was Sharon’s signature look!

Sharon’s work for our field stands for itself, and it took a lot of focus and determination to get us there. The article authors also had glimpses of Sharon more informally, including her unique wit and sense of humor. She was unique and these personal traits complemented her drive and determination in all that she did.

Sharon was a lifelong learner and continued taking college courses on a variety of topics including European history, literature, neurology, and the fine arts. She frequently attended plays, musicals, and lectures, but loved attending her grandchildren's school performances the most. She loved her Michigan roots and enjoyed being a "snowbird" in Florida for several years. She was a loving Wife, Mother, and Grandmother.

In summary, Sharon Petty paved the way for so many of us. Through over 40 years of service, she impacted the lives of countless students, teachers, parents, and other professionals. We are grateful for and benefit from her work and wish her peace after a life well lived. Our condolences go out to all those in the profession who knew Sharon and grieve her loss.