School Psychologist Practicum Student
Description
Organization Overview
Excel Academy was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a high-quality, free, and public education to students in East Boston and Chelsea Massachusetts, communities that are predominantly low-income and Latinx and historically have faced significant social and educational barriers. Our success in Massachusetts is proof that the opportunity gap can be closed and we opened a new school in Rhode Island in 2022. At Excel Academy Charter Schools, we believe that when a student has the support and tools to pursue a productive post-secondary pathway aligned to their personal identity and values, it can fundamentally change their life trajectory.
At Excel Academy we learn from our students, families, and staff and make improvements. We have increasingly adapted to provide a holistic education that values our community as collaborators in the learning process, social-emotional support, equity for diverse learners, and fosters identity development. We prioritize an approach that is both rigorous and inclusive. Our team of passionate, intelligent, driven, and loving staff are at the core of the work we do.
About the Role
The School Psychologist Practicum Student will provide important educational and mental health services to the Excel Academy Charter School’s community. They will work for multiple schools within the Excel Academy network (e.g., East Boston, Greenway, Chelsea, High School), requiring strong adaptability and organization skills. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of special education procedures and a commitment to best practices in mental health.
Hour and Compensation
Part-time 20 hours/week unpaid (Can be catered to graduate program requirements)
Duties and Responsibilities
Please note that the School Psychologist Practicum student will be under the supervision of a licensed school psychologist with 20+ years of experience. This psychologist will be predominantly off site but will be able to provide in person supervision hours. However, current Excel licensed School Psychologists, will be on site to oversee the practicum student’s day to day tasks and activities.
The School Psychology Practicum Student will be expected to perform the following tasks:
- Conduct comprehensive evaluations including cognitive, academic, attention, autism, social/emotional, and functional behavior assessments
- Provide counseling services, both individually and in small groups
- Participate in weekly School Psychologist Referral meetings
- Participate actively in IEP, SST, and Child Study Team meetings in order to produce comprehensive and appropriate educational plans for students
- Serve as a liaison between the school, student, parent and external agencies
- Provide crisis intervention for students, which may include risk assessments, safety contracts and social service interventions
- Collaborate with parents and teachers to create opportunities for student growth
- Conduct classroom observations to assist teachers in planning effective educational strategies for all students
- Perform other related duties as requested by supervisor
- Meet individually with supervisor once a week
*Flexibility to adapt practicum role to meet the requirements of current graduate program*
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a NASP accredited school psychology program
- Second-year student in good academic standing
- Meeting all graduate school program criteria to apply for practicum
- Passed course work related to theory, administration, and interpretation of standardized cognitive and academic assessments
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to build strong relationships with Excel students, parents, and faculty
- Commitment to ensuring academic success for all students
Excel Academy Charter Schools is committed to its work as an anti-racist organization. One critical element of that commitment is building and empowering a diverse staff that reflects the community that we serve. We strongly encourage applications from candidates whose experiences share important points of intersection with those of our students. Staff who demonstrate fluency in Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic (languages spoken widely by our diverse community of families) will receive additional compensation, as will staff who are alumni of our schools.
Excel Academy Charter Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language or prior academic achievement.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.