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My goal with this page is to share my knowledge and resources that I have amassed about a variety of topics related to K12 education, school leadership, special education law, and social-emotional learning within the whole school environment.

Areas of Expertise

Certifications

Nationally Certified School Psychologist, National Association of School Psychologists, Certification No: 38937

Student Support Services, School Psychologist PK-AD, West Virginia Department of Education, License No. A2R132200130 2018 – Permanent

Residency Educational Staff Associate, School Psychologist, Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, License No. 56497D, Issued December 2019

Educator License, School Psychologist, State of Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, File No. 1006182, Issued September 2020

Certified Trainer, CPI Basic Skills and Advanced Physical Skills, 2017-Present

Education

Doctorate of Education, Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), Liberty University Education (2015-2019)

• Advanced School Law
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research and Writing
• Legal Research and Writing
• Policy Analysis

Specialist, School Psychology (Ed.S.), Marshall University (2006-2009)

• Data-Based Decision Making
• Consultation and Collaboration
• Biological Bases of Behavior and Learning
• Academic Interventions and Instructional Supports
• Mental and Behavioral Services and Interventions
• School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning
• Services to Promote Safe and Supportive Schools
• Family, School, and Community Collaboration
• Equitable Practices for Diverse Student Populations
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice

Master of Arts, Elementary Education (M.A.), Marshall University (2006-2009)

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (B.A.), West Virginia State University (2002-2006)

Professional Experience

Clinical Services Specialist, eLuma Online Therapy, November 2020 – December 2021

• Developed research-based social-emotional learning and school-based mental health programs
• Provided training and professional development for contractors of a variety of clinical backgrounds, including: School Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists

School Psychologist, eLuma Online Therapy Services, October 2019-November 2020

• Supported school-based multi-disciplinary teams by providing tele-practice school psychology services to 3 sites across 2 states
• Performed assessments and review records of existing and transfer students
• Conducted psycho-educational evaluations to determine student eligibility for special education services according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as state laws
• Served as the subject matter expert on eligibility criteria for special education eligibility and services
• Collaborated closely with classroom teachers, administrators, and school counselors
• Participated on school-based student assistance, multi-disciplinary, and IEP committees to advocate for appropriate educational and intervention services for students
• Ensured compliance with industry best practices and ethical standards in tele-medicine

Adjunct Professor, Bridge Valley Community and Technical College, January 2020-December 2021

• Teach Psych 101 online to approximately 25 students per class

• Develop course curriculum and select materials and resources

Lead School Psychologist, Lincoln County Schools, August 2016-July 2019

• Determined student eligibility for special education services using a combination of classroom performance data, norm-referenced cognitive, social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental assessments
• Led a multi-disciplinary evaluation team to pull together and review a wide variety of student information, including parent and teacher observations, intervention data, and medical diagnoses
• Oversaw reporting, including summary and analysis of all data used in the decision-making process, synthesizing data from all disciplines involved, presenting results in internal and parent meetings, and state submissions
• Conducted analyses of student academic achievement and student behavior in accordance with state Response to Intervention (RtI) and Support for Personalized Learning (SPL) mandates
• Utilized functional behavior analyses to develop a customized positive behavior intervention plans
• Assisted with the development of a district-wide trauma initiative aimed at creating trauma-sensitive environments within all schools in the district and providing trauma-informed care to all students
• Delivered teacher education on the effects of poverty and trauma on the psychological and physiological development of children in the form of presentations, group discussions, and one-on-one consultations
• Served as the Director of Title III Services, ensuring the appropriateness of the ELL curriculum for English-language learners throughout the district

Site Manager, Marshall University Summer Enrichment Program, June 2013-August 2017

• Served as the Site Manager from 2016 to 2017 and the Grad Student Supervisor from 2013 to 2015
• Oversaw the day-to-day operations of the university’s Summer Enrichment Program, including child-student programs and graduate student experiences
• Mentored teams of 5-6 graduate students assigned to groups of 100-120 children participating in the Summer Enrichment Program
• Provided guidance to grad students on pedagogy, classroom rules, and student engagement
• Maintained documentation and necessary paperwork for the Summer Enrichment Program, including the Summer Food Service Program, attendance, and special considerations of individual children
• Provided training and guidance for graduate students utilizing curriculum-based measurements and short-cycle formative assessments used to monitor the academic progress of participants

School Psychologist, Kanawha County Schools and Licking County Educational Service Center, August 2009-July 2016

• Served as the School Psychologist for Licking Country Educational Service Center from August 2009 to July 2011 and for Kanawha County Schools from September 2011 to July 2016
• Conducted psycho-educational evaluations to determine student eligibility for special education services according to state and federal laws and criteria
• Analyzed student academic achievement and student behavior to develop customized and targeted intervention strategies and accommodations
• Consulted with teachers and parents to provide academic and behavioral support for at-risk students
• Collaborated with educators to develop the district’s Response to Intervention guidelines and procedures
• Assisted the Director of Special Education and served as a district representative in meetings and collaboration efforts within the county educational services center

Presentations and Publications

eLuma Nation (September 2021) – Mental Health

WVSPA/Marshall University (May 2016) Auditory Processing Disorder

NASP (February 2010) Thesis

Doctoral Dissertation (May 2019) – A Correlational Study of the Demographic and Job Factors Related to Job Satisfaction and Burnout Among School Psychologists

Ed.S. Thesis (May 2009) – Differences in Scores Derived from Age-Based Norms versus Grade-Based Norms on the KTEA-2 and WIAT-2

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