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Mother

Wyatt 22 months

 

Step-Mother

McKenzie 16, Zackary 9 & Delaney 8

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Wife

Husband Zen

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Daughter

Rick & Joslyne

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Born & Raised

Pine, CO

 

Psy.D. Psychology
School Psychology
University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado
Faculty Advisor: Franci Crepeau-Hobson, PhD
May 2018
 

Master of Arts Curriculum and Instruction
Elementary Education Math/Science Emphasis
University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado
May 2011


Bachelor of Arts Psychology
Minor Sociology
Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, Colorado
May 2005


Credentials & Certifications
Initial Special Service Provider-Colorado Dept. of Education # 275658 School
Psychologist (0-21) 07/10/2018-07/10/2021
Psychologist Candidate - DORA # PSYC.00014064 10/09/2018-10/09/2022
CPR/First-Aid
PREPaRE Workshop 1 & 2 Trainer Certification

CPI Certification

 

Mental Health/School Setting

 

School Psychologist

  • Jefferson County School District, September 2019-Current, West Jefferson Middle School

  • Douglas County School District, July 2018-September 2019, Saddle Ranch Elementary

  • Internship-Denver Public Schools, August 2017-June 2018, Dora Moore ECE-8 and University Park Elementary, Denver, CO - â€‹Beth Carter, Ph.D., Supervisor 1200-hour Internship

  • Practicum-Jefferson County School District, August 2015-May 2016, Marshdale Elementary, Evergreen CO - Amy Temple, Ed.S., Field Supervisor 500-hour Practicum

  • Serve students within the middle school and elementary populations who require universal, targeted, and intensive intervention across special education and general education populations.

  • Implement and progress monitor interventions using data to drive decision making and approaches, to include psychological and academic intervention.

  • Utilize CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed approaches to support the therapeutic relationship and develop positive behaviors in the school setting.

  • Experience with the administration and interpretation of a variety of test instruments to evaluate cognitive ability, learning aptitudes, academic skills, and eligibility for special education.

  • Conducted Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and developed appropriate interventions.

  • Developed Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and behavioral intervention plans.

  • Maintain accurate and up to date records of every treatment/session delivered to students whether direct or indirect services.

  • Effectively implement crisis prevention, intervention, response, and recovery efforts within the assigned building.

  • Administer and interpret a variety of test instruments to evaluate cognitive ability, learning aptitudes, academic skills, social and emotional functioning, and risk for harm to self or others.

  • Determine eligibility for special education based on the Colorado Department of Education criteria and document evaluations in comprehensive psychological reports.

  • Consultation with families, team members, and students to provide guidance on legal expectations and rights, as well as, effective interventions that address strengths and areas for improvement in learning, behavior, and/or emotional state.

  • Experience working with culturally diverse populations of students and families.

  • Provided individual counseling services to students and co-led group counseling sessions focused on decreasing student aggression and promoting social skills.

 

Mental Health/Clinical

 

Clinical Psychologist Extern

Department of Youth Corrections, August 2016-May 2017, Gilliam Youth Services Center, Denver, CO

Lori Romont, Ph.D., Clinical Supervisor - 500-hour Externship

  • Assessing the mental health needs of pre-adjudicated youth with traumatic backgrounds, limited educational experiences, legal charges, gang involvement, and substance abuse, within a secure detention facility.

  • Addressing the dynamics of the facility and staff at a systems level to determine where improvements can be made to services and whether more training should occur to support adolescent development.

  • Evaluating and Reevaluating for suicidality and risk of harm to self or others, supporting with adjustment to detention setting.

  • Documentation in TRAILS of incidents in the facility and assessments conducted, as well as, case conceptualization.

  • Developing and implementing a researched-based psychoeducational curriculum for use specifically with detained youth, that acknowledged gender differences in detained youth.

    • Lessons focused on five areas: Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Coping with Stress, Taking Perspective, and Communication.

  • The completed initial training process for DYC to include the Sanctuary Model, motivational interviewing, youth and staff safety, and restorative community practices.

 

 

Mental Health Clinician II

Department of Health and Human Services, December 2005-December 2009, Colorado Mental Health Institute-Fort Logan, Denver, CO

  • Engaged in milieu management and crisis intervention with individuals diagnosed with acute psychiatric illnesses in a secure treatment setting.

  • Taught activities of daily living, fitness/personal health, coping strategies, and treatment groups.

  • Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop individualized treatment approaches.

  • Monitored the physical, psychological, and emotional status of clients.

  • Maintained unit safety on a daily basis through supervision, client engagement, and team communication.

  • Completed CPI training

 

Leadership

 

College Council Chair-Graduate School Representative

Student Government Association October-2016- May 2017, University of Colorado- Denver, Denver, CO

  • The primary role is to collaborate with students and student government members to enhance the quality of life, academic services, and overall success of students on campus.

  • Provide a voice to students on campus by addressing needs, concerns, and interests with the administration.

  • Developing and supporting the implementation of various initiatives on campus.

  • Addressing all components of initiatives as a team, to include funding of student proposals, logistics of implementation, and evaluating outcome measures to monitor effectiveness and engagement in campus initiatives.

 

Education/Teaching

 

Special Education Teacher - Youth Treatment Counselor

Bansbach Academy, September 2012-August 2014, Denver Children’s Home, Denver CO

  • Taught a variety of subjects including, Social Studies, Environmental Science, and Language Arts for grades 4-12 in a residential treatment facility.

  • Created curriculum and lessons plans to meet Colorado State Content Standards, including Common Core Standards using an Understanding by Design or backwards design model.

  • Differentiated instruction and pedagogical approaches to meet the diverse needs of the student population using a Trauma-Informed approach.

  • Monitored students for safety and emotional status.

  • Evaluated student learning and monitored student progress.

  • Implemented accommodations to meet IEP and 504 requirements.

  • Provided behavior management within the classroom and milieu to students to maintain a consistent and caring learning environment.

  • Operated in a secure treatment setting for adolescents, with a focus on adolescent development.

  • Supported the daily residential needs of youth.

 

Vocational Training Program Supervisor

August 2011-July 2012, Goodwill Industries Denver, Denver CO

  • Managed the day-to-day operations of one of the state’s largest vocational training programs for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.

  • Created all monthly payroll and Medicaid reports.

  • Managed all vocational programming and curriculum.

  • Managed all piece-rate contracts for outside and inside customers.

  • Supervised three Employment Training Specialists and up to 65 Consumers.

  • Managed daily tracking of individual performance/progress and addressed areas of concern.

  • Developed ISSP plans and collaborated with community providers.

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Research

 

PsyD Capstone Project

Assessing the Impact of Implementing Interactive Psychoeducational Group Curriculum in a Juvenile Detention Setting - University of Colorado Denver, 2018

  • Developed and implemented psychoeducational intervention lessons to youth in a secured detention setting.

  • Evaluated the impact of the intervention on incidents in the facility.

  • Lessons focused on five areas: Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Coping with Stress, Taking Perspective, and Communication.

  • Completed formal Capstone dissertation.

 

Program Evaluation

January 2015-May 2015, University of Colorado Denver PsyD Program Requirement, Denver, CO

  • Evaluated Math Curriculum for Jefferson County School District.

  • Conducted focus group sessions with parents and educational staff discussing the implementation of a math curriculum.

  • Each of the 9 focus groups were transcribed and evaluated for themes, and a formal report was provided to the Assessment Department at Jefferson County School District. 

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Assisted in Data Collection of Exclusionary Clause Study

May 2015-August 2015, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO

Primary Researcher: Bryn Harris, PhD

  • Research study focused on looking at the ways in which state departments of education provide assistance with the IEP exclusionary clauses within English language learner populations.

  • Data collection involved looking for specific resources and words on the department of education websites for approximately 25 of the 50 US states.

  • Received training in how to code the data on the websites.

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Professional Associations: Leadership

  • Student Government Association, College Council- Graduate School Representative 2016-2017

  • Graduate School Advisory Group (GSAG) 2016-2018

  • Student Affiliation of School Psychologists (SASP) Board Member- Secretary 2015-2016

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Professional Associations: Membership

  • National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

  • Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)

  • NASP Professional Position Statements Committee -Student Member 2017

  • Colorado Society of School Psychologists

  • American Psychological Association: Division 16

 

Honors

  • Colorado Association of School Psychologist Capstone Poster Presentation Award Winner, 2017

  • Received Outstanding Graduate in Curriculum and Pedagogy, Math/Science emphasis, 2011

  • Golden Key International Honor Society 2010

  • Received Life Saver Award, Colorado Mental Health Institute-Fort Logan, 2009

  • Certificate of Achievement for Research at 8th Undergraduate Psychology Conference, 2004

  • Graduate Student Member of the American Psychological Association

  • Psi Chi Member: National Honor Society in Psychology, 2003

  • National Dean’s List

  • American Red Cross Hero Award

  • Student Leadership Award- American Taekwondo Association

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