Psychs Doing Great Things!

Community Connection Spotlight

On September 11th, 2025, our school psychologist at Highland Elementary, Desiree Nutt, presented at a community fundraiser supporting Divine Dignity at the Upper Arlington Country Club. In her presentation, Desiree spoke about the importance of restorative practices and the need to address community barriers in order to improve student achievement and increase access to vital referrals. The event aimed to raise $75,000 to support Divine Dignity’s mission of providing free hygiene items for schools, shelters, and food pantries across the community. They are also a key supplier for the hygiene pantry at Highland Elementary, helping ensure families have access to essentials such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies. We are especially grateful to partners like Terry Starr and Diane Turf, whose generosity helps keep our school’s hygiene closet stocked for students and families.

Girls on the Run

Sydney Peters, school psychologist & coach, recently led her 'Girls on the Run' team from Georgian Heights in the program's end of season celebratory 5k, held downtown.

Girls on the Run is a national program aimed at helping young girls feel confident, inspired, and build a sense of community by stressing the important connection between physical and emotional health.

To sign up your child or become a local coach, visit https://www.girlsontheruncentralohio.org/

National Recognition for Highland ES

Highland Elementary School has received national recognition for the work they have been doing to overhaul their use of MTSS & PBIS to create a safe and supported community for all students. Many thanks is owed to school psychologist Desiree Nutt, who works full time at Highland; this allows her to be a part of the conversation and strategies for improvement on a daily basis. For the first time, families are applying for lottery to have their children enrolled at Highland. View the full article here to see the data and read about Highland's dedication.

NASP Convention

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) annual convention theme for 2025 was Catalysts in Action. Many of our school psychs were in attendance and shared their own data with the group. Click the poster photos below to see the full poster images!

Heather Joyce presented her findings on the positive impact of yoga practice for students in urban schools. Click to see the full poster!

Ebony Mundy & Lexi Myers presented data on cultural modifications in SEL curricula. Click to see the full poster!

Heather Joyce, Rachael Anson, Jen Glenn, Amber Mitchell, Ebony Mundy, & Lexi Myers.

At the annual Accelerated Leadership & Learning Conference, school psychologist Desiree Nutt presented on mental health practices in urban schools.

Sharing Their Expertise!

Desiree was also interviewed alongside fellow school psych Kayla Dodson for the Ohio Parent Mentor podcast, discussing bullying and conflict resolution for students with disabilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z89mzpWFMAY

Team Leadership

School Psychologist Matt Hobbs co-coaches the Hilltonia Middle School boys soccer team, the Hawks. Coach Hobbs & Coach Lee led the team in an awesome 2023 season, ending in the City Championship runner-up title!

National Museum of Ghana Exhibition

Stefanie Rivers, school psychologist, is a talented quilter! She was recently invited to an artisanal quilting exhibition at the National Museum of Ghana, in Accra, Ghana, where her work was displayed and ultimately sold to a private collection. Congratulations, Stefanie!

Psychs on the Move!

School Psychologists Katie Harris & Sydney Peters are keeping fit and having fun doing it! These two ran the Chicago Marathon on October 13th alongside over 50,000 other participants - the race's highest turnout ever. Both psychologists have also qualified to run in the Boston Marathon in April 2025.

Mother Daughter Duo at Ohio Elementary

Rokia Tanner, School Psychologist, and her mother Kim Tanner, Family Ambassador, work at Ohio Elementary. They've employed community partners to paint and maintain the schoolyard over the summer and are collaborating to offer a school store for students/families in need.

Learning is WILD at Highland Elementary!

Thanks to the efforts of school psychologist Desiree Nutt, all Highland Elementary students will cap off their school year with a trip to the Columbus Zoo!

The PBIS team at Highland has a vision of creating a school environment enriched by restorative practices. Extrapolating the social-emotional concept of how every individual affects those around them, Desiree Nutt explains that the zoo trip will help students "understand the greater impact of how we are connected as a species to all living things on earth; [and] how human actions and intervention can change the world for the better or worse."

This trip is made possible by the Learning is Wild Scholarship, offered by the zoo to public schools where 30% or more of the student population are on the free or reduced lunch program. Securing this scholarship allows the entire building to engage in this experience at a 75% reduced cost.

Highland CARE Space

In the heart of Columbus, Ohio, at Highland Elementary, School Psychologist Desiree Nutt and Social Worker Courtney Ryan have helped champion a transformative initiative called the Highland CARE space. This dedicated area serves as a beacon of support for students in need, embodying the spirit of community and compassion.

The Highland CARE space is not just a room; it's a lifeline for students facing various challenges. After a year of meticulous planning, coordination, and generous donations from community partners, this space has become a vital resource for Highland Elementary.

Central to the Highland CARE space is a well-stocked food pantry, ensuring that no student goes to bed hungry. Beyond nourishment, the space offers an array of essential items such as hygiene products, shoes, socks, hats, gloves, and clothes in all sizes. Desiree Nutt's vision was not only to address immediate needs but also to create a comprehensive resource that fosters a sense of dignity and inclusivity.

The success of the Highland CARE space is a testament to the power of collaboration between the school and its community. The generosity of local partners, combined with Highland Elementary staff dedication, has created a space that goes beyond meeting physical needs—it nurtures a sense of belonging and support for every student at Highland Elementary.

ROX Self-Defense Clinic

Melanie Hartle, School Psychologist at St. James the Less, has been making a significant impact on the lives of female students through her Girls on the Run ROX group. Over the past several years, Melanie has led this initiative, striving to empower young girls in their personal and academic lives.

One notable event in Melanie's commitment to fostering empowerment was a self-defense clinic held for the girls and their mothers at St. James the Less. Recognizing the importance of equipping these young individuals with valuable skills and knowledge, Melanie facilitated an engaging and informative session focused on self-defense. This not only addressed the physical aspect of personal safety but also aimed to boost the girls' confidence and resilience.

Through her dedication to the Girls on the Run ROX group, Melanie Hartle goes beyond conventional roles, creating a supportive environment for these young minds to thrive. The self-defense clinic stands as a testament to her holistic approach, combining psychological well-being with practical life skills.

Female students and their mothers at St. James the Less learning how to empower themselves!

Trauma-Informed Yoga

Heather Joyce, a certified trauma-informed yoga instructor and school psychologist at Columbus City Schools, plays a crucial role at Innis and Broadleigh Elementary. Once a week, she leads trauma-informed groups aimed at helping students develop techniques to calm their minds and bodies.

Heather's unique combination of psychology and yoga expertise equips her to address the emotional needs of students who may have experienced trauma or stress. By integrating yoga practices, she provides a holistic approach to healing and self-regulation, fostering emotional resilience and stress management skills.

Her dedication to supporting the mental and emotional well-being of students exemplifies the broader mission of promoting student mental health in today's educational landscape. Heather's work serves as a valuable resource for young learners seeking tools to navigate the challenges they may encounter in their lives.

Heather Joyce leading students in yoga poses. Heather Joyce may be reached at hjoyce@columbus.k12.oh.us

Using Yoga to Heal Developmental Trauma

Did you know that experiencing trauma causes changes in the brain?

Did you know that yoga & meditation have been shown to be more effective treating trauma long term than any other medication?

School psych Heather Joyce created a highly information presentation exploring these topics in detail. Click the image to the right to learn more!

Page updated

Report abuse