Adventures in being a first year School Psychologist

A shrink should have fun shoes

Had you told me a year ago that today I would be working as a School Psychologist at both a high school AND a middle school--I would have laughed at you.  At that point, I believed that my internship was complete, I would be returning in some capacity to my role at the CMHC, that had been my employer since I left grad school (the first time). 

By New Year's, I was going to be returning to my roots in higher education.  Sending out cover letters and CVs all over New England, I was certain I would find my niche in College and University Counseling.  Some would even say, I turned down the offer of a life time, to work at the University of Notre Dame (yes, the Notre Dame).  But, something didn't feel right.

Then of course, there was the brief period of time in which I thought I was going into the private practice realm, first full time, and then part-time with a part-time University job.  It would be the best of both worlds, right?  Yet again, when asked by the program director of the academic program I was about to begin teaching in as adjunct faculty--I couldn't seem to bring myself to fill out the APA CV listing those two roles.  It was as if I was in denial of the reality I had created for myself.  I just couldn't envision myself working in private practice, yet I was willfully about to be doing just that. 

Until I received that email.  It had been forwarded to me by my program director--a school job, with the name of a contact person I recognized.  So, I called...emailed back and forth with my PD and was encouraged to apply.  Letters of recommendation were requested and revised, I was interviewed and hired.  In a whirlwind of less than a week, I quit both the private practice and university positions and began.  And now, just shy of a month in--I have no regrets.  I find myself smiling at times for no reason, as I walk down the halls.  Students stop in to see me, just because.  I learn something new everyday (I'll do an entry sometime just on acronyms in education...oy!).  The district took a risk in hiring me, just as I took a risk in jumping out of the safety of the familiar--but think both are finding it was worth it.

My friend Karen used to post a sketch or a narrative during her first year as a middle school art teacher--I would look forward to them each day.  And while I cannot promise that I will be as prolific or interesting as what she would submit, I intend to catalog my adventures here.

“Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” — Helen Keller

Carpe Diem