Psych Central

About Me:

My name is Taylor Shirkey and I am from Charlotte, NC. I attended Wofford College and was a cheerleader for 4 years while earning my BS in Psychology. GO TERRIERS! After college, I completed my masters and specialist degrees in school psychology at Winthrop University.

Now, I am a school psychologist at Olde Providence and Beverly Woods Elementary schools in Charlotte, NC. I have been in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system since 2013 and I can't imagine working anywhere else. I also serve on the executive board for the Metrolina Association of Psychologists in the Schools (MAPS), a local advocacy organization for school psychologists. I love my job because I am able to work so closely with parents, teachers, students and other professionals every day! As a school psychologist, I wear many hats and no two days are ever the same. Some of those hats include:

• Help with planning of academic and behavioral interventions

• Conduct psychoeducational evaluations to assist school teams in determining eligibility for special education services and section 504 accommodation plans.

• Consult with teachers to improve individualized instruction and address student needs at all levels of achievement

• Collect, decipher, and use data in creative ways to drive academic, social/emotional, and behavioral programming

• Work with administrators to promote positive school environments and practices that ensure the safety and success of all students

• Provide group and individual counseling for students

• Advocate for students and families and work to build stronger relationships between homes and schools

• Collaborate with community support services