Aloha Notes: My career as a School Psychologist in Hawaii

I am so honored and excited to be elected onto the board as the new secretary. It will give me a great opportunity to be neck to neck with fellow School Psychs. The current president (Gina) and the president elect (Deane) are both incredibly bright leaders who have not only kept Hawaii Psychs up to date with research, interventions, and legal news but have fought for funding at the state level. Tomorrow (June 16,2011) is the HASP social gathering where the new HASP Board Members will be officially announced. If you'd like to join HASP , please visit the website to apply.

COMMUNITY IN A WORKPLACE.... Last week, while I was prepping for an IEP meeting with Koko Head School staff, my attention was shifted toward a class picture that was posted on the SSC's wall. " I wanna be in the yearbook next year " I proclaimed...and in return, laughter erupted in the room. I was smiling but far from joking Why was I asking to be in the yearbook? Am I that self-centered, do I really need to see my face in colored ink on semi gloss photo paper to feel fulfilled? Why was I asking this? At the beginning of the year, I asked the administration at Kaiser High School for an office. Why? Was it because I wanted my own phone line? an air-conditioned room? Why would I be so demanding? Was my "team office" not good enough for me? In reflection, I recognized m y desire for  community, meaning, dignity, and purpose and in order to gain these things--I needed to be IN the school .   I didn't want to come in as an outsider.  I knew that the exp...