School Psychologists In L.A. Are Urged To Strengthen Their Skills
The demanding role of a school psychologist matters significantly within the educational system. The majority of greater Los Angeles' 6,220 actively employed mental evaluators work in elementary and secondary schools, assisting students with special needs, learning disabilities and varied behavioral issues.
"A school psychologist's position is increasingly becoming more important to help children and youth better adjust to school," said Dr. Wilda Laija-Rodriguez, a professor at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). "They are among the few experts who understand learning strategies that aid students who struggle."
In L.A., these influential professionals earn an average annual salary of $63,000 in a far-reaching vocation that will require them to broaden their levels of expertise in coming years.
"By 2022, effective school psychologists will need to have the specialization of working with bilingual students," Laija-Rodriguez said. "Moreover, they will need to know much more about neuroscience, practical instruction and cognitive strategies to optimize learning."
How is CSUN preparing these specialists for L.A.'s workforce?
"We train school psychologists to be able to work with all pupils, especially culturally and linguistically diverse students. Our graduates and employers report that our program prepares them well to not only compete for good jobs and gain rapid employment, but to succeed."
What do top employers expect from school psychologists?
"Their job responsibilities vary, ranging from conducting psycho-educational assessments to engaging in crisis intervention."
What defines an effective school psychologist?
"Key attributes that school psychologists must have are good communication and interpersonal skills, patience, flexibility and empathy, in addition to possessing a strong sense of ethics. They should be detail-oriented, with emphasis on acquiring good time-management and admirable leadership skills."
What is your message to working school psychologists?
"Because the population in L.A.'s schools is now composed of large numbers of minority students, especially bilingual students, school psychologists need to work toward becoming even more skilled in serving this growing demographic."
What are your words of wisdom to endeavoring school psychologists?
"School psychology is an exciting and evolving field. My strong advice for those interested in entering our profession is to have a passion for learning and for serving others."
Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist who covers topics of social interest in greater Los Angeles. Some news articles she has authored have been archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Sharon also contributes to Examiner.com.
