Testimonials from Recently Graduated School Psychology Students
In addition to the state of the art preparation for clinical work, my course work and internship in the Temple University School Psychology Program exposed me to a range of skills that included consultation, organization and administration, and research. This gave me the confidence and skills to help many students, teachers and families as a Coordinator of Child Study Teams and, later, a Director of Special Services and Special Education. It also helped with working on research papers and developing workshops, activities I was very active in for many years. In addition to the academic and professional skills, perhaps the most important asset was the ability to make many long term friendships, which I still enjoy, not only with my fellow students, but also the professors. No matter where you go in this area and beyond, you will find a Temple School Psych graduate and they are still the best trained school psychologists around!
-- Naomi Lennox, Ph.D., Temple School Psychology
My education at Temple prepared me to “hit the ground running” right after graduation. The school psychology program not only taught me to look at the broader picture of schools as institutions with their own organizational structure and inherent problems, but also to know how to evaluate students, work with their families, and assist teachers in the class with practical, researched based strategies. A strong background in statistics was considered essential for evaluating the tests that we use and knowing their limitations. In addition, we were encouraged to conduct inservice training to assist teachers with classroom management, utilizing the principles of operant and even classical conditioning. A behavior plan cannot be well designed if it violates the underlying principles
Temple also instructed the school psychology students to stay involved in ongoing training and to join professional organizations. The emphasis was on life long learning, so the school psychologist with 30 years in the field would have 30 years of experience, not one year 30 times. As I have progressed in my career, I have continued to benefit from the three years I spent in the initial training. We were taught that the practitioner should also be involved in conducting research. Having “hands on” experience with the day to day functioning of schools helps the research to be focused on helping students.
By far the most useful training I received at Temple was to be thorough and not to cut corners, no matter what. The motto “treat every child as you would want your own child to be treated” guides me every day.
When I became involved in mentoring a 6 year old from innercity Philadelphia, this motto came in handy. It meant paying for after school tutoring, boarding school, and finally higher education. My mentee is now married (to a school psychologist!), working as a social worker, and attending graduate school. I attribute his success with the training I received at Temple.
-- Ruth Marino, Ph.D., Temple School Psychology
Temple's School Psychology program prepared me well for the many roles and responsibilities that a school psychologist deals with daily (consultation, collaboration, therapy, testing, and diagnosis). This is very evident as I work with interns from other universities/ school psychology programs.
-- Amanda Amidon, Ph.D., Temple School Psychology
1) The professors are extremely personable and really treat the students like colleagues!
2) Given the fact that Temple is located in the heart of North Philadelphia, we get an invaluable experience to work with numbers of at-risk youth and give back to the community where it's needed the most.
-- Laura Katz, current student, Temple School Psychology PhD program
