I hail from South Jersey and received a
Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University. I continued my
education at the University of South Carolina, receiving a Masters
of Arts in School Psychology. My professional career began at the
Charles Lea Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina as a psychologist.
I provided counseling services to students with learning
disabilities and behavior disorders as well as consultation to
teachers, parents and administrators.
After seven years in South Carolina, I returned
to New Jersey to gain experience as a psychologist on the Child
Study Team. I initially worked for Pemberton Township Schools (2
years) and later for Cinnaminson Township Schools (13 years). Over
the years, I served students, ages 3-21, who needed special
education services for a variety of academic, social-emotional and
medical reasons. As a Child Study Team member, I provided
psychological assessments, counseling, consultation and case
management services.
I presently work at Rush Intermediate School as
Coordinator of Student Services. Most of my time is spent providing
counseling services to students. Teachers, administrators and
parents may refer students to me. Also, students may refer
themselves for counseling. Through counseling, I help students
understand their personal and social issues and learn coping
strategies to deal with them. Some of the most common student issues
I encounter are: academic stress; peer conflict; teasing; anxiety;
anger and grief/loss. I also spend much time coordinating the
Intervention and Referral Committee (I&RS). I&RS is a
multidisciplinary committee that develops school-based intervention
plans to help at-risk students improve their academic performances
and social-emotional functioning. Teachers, administrators and
parents may refer students to the I&RS Committee. When students
appear in need of special education services, the I&RS Committee
refers them to the Child Study Team for evaluation.
