Mirror Q & A: Monica Sinopoli

Mirror: Where are you from?

Sinopoli: Weymouth, MA.

M: What is your role at DHS?

S: I’m one of the new school psychologists.

M: How long have you been a school psychologist?

S: This will be my second year.

M: Where did you work before DHS?

S: Gates Middle School in Scituate, MA.

M: Where did you go to college?

S: University of New Hampshire for undergrad and Northeastern University for grad school.

M: What jobs did you hold before this one?

S: When I was younger, I worked as a busser at a restaurant, concession worker at a movie theater, and hostess at a restaurant. I’ve mixed in some babysitting jobs here and there. During/since college, I worked as an adolescent counselor with troubled youth, mental health counselor with an eating disorder population, and have served my practicum/internship placements at Wampatuck Elementary School, Scituate High School, and North Quincy High School.

M: What inspired you to become a psychologist?

S: I’ve always been that go-to person with my friends when they need to talk about things. To this day, they continue to admire and thank me for being so approachable, supportive, and non-judgmental. The feeling of helping someone and knowing that you are making a difference in their life is so rewarding, and is what drove me to become a school psychologist.

M: What do you like most about being a school psychologist?

S: I get to help kids mentally, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically. It’s so rewarding to be a support person in their lives and be able to watch them grow over the years in all of those areas.

M: What sets you apart from other psychologists?

S: I have a tendency to quickly and easily establish rapport with kids. I find that kids always feel comfortable, welcomed, understood, and not judged by me. They often seek out my support on their own. Before working in a school, kids would have meetings with me incorporated into their treatment plans. And even while working in a school, parents frequently reach out to thank me for caring and helping with their children.

M: What do you like most about Dedham?

S: I like the idea of working in a diverse student population, and the staff seems to be incredibly supportive. It’s always tough being a newbie, but both the students and staff I have met and worked with so far have been tremendously helpful.

M: What are your hobbies?

S: Spending time with friends/family, vacations, going to the beach, reading psychological thriller books, watching tv/movies, going out to eat.

M: What is your favorite movie?

S: The Parent Trap (the one with Lindsay Lohan, of course).

M: What is your favorite book?

S: So far, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

M: Favorite quote?

S: Funny one… “The worst thing about prison was the dementors.” -Michael Scott (The Office) Serious one… “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Bernard M. Baruch

M: What was the last song you downloaded?

S: I’m constantly downloading songs and making playlists on Spotify… Last song I downloaded was “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran.

M: Favorite apps?

S: Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest, Amazon, Uber Eats.

M: Favorite sports team?

S: Boston Celtics.

M: Dunks or Starbucks?

S: Starbucks.

M: How do you take your coffee?

S: Almond milk and sugar.

M: What is your greatest accomplishment?

S: Funny one… Singing “Irreplaceable” into Beyoncé's microphone during one of her concerts. Serious one… When I was younger, I started a group with my brother and two friends called “Kids who Kare.” We would read stories, act out plays, and do crafts with little kids. It became this huge thing at our local Tufts Library in Weymouth, with 30+ kids turning up every Friday. Eventually, we were featured in the local newspaper, interviewed by the local school board/school committee, and our interview was shown on TV. Even when I was a kid myself, I always knew I would enjoy working with kids one day, having fun together and making them happy.