Hello! My name is Rachel Rice. I have been a school psychologist for 10 years and have worked with Pre-K through 12th grade students. This year, I will serve Squires Elementary, where I hope to continue supporting student success and wellbeing every day. In this role, I assist school-wide social-emotional learning, work with colleagues and families to design and implement academic and social-emotional interventions when students need more help, and conduct evaluations to better understand whether students require more specialized support. I became a school psychologist because I am passionate about making schools inclusive and effective for all learners. There were instances in my own schooling when I needed more than my classroom teachers had time or expertise to give. In serving my community as a school psychologist, I aim to give back in the same way that my educators did for me all those years ago. And when a student, caregiver, or colleague lets me know that my work has helped them, it solidifies that I found my calling. Being a school psychologist is awesome! 

My name is Brony Rowe. I have worked as a school psychologist at Frederick Douglass High School and Carter G. Woodson Academy since 2017 when a brand-new campus was opened. My daily routine includes a wide range of activities, including but not limited to evaluations, parent/teacher/admin consultation, individual and group counseling, MTSS intervention support, threat and suicide risk assessment, ARC meeting participation, and practicum and intern supervision. 

I have been a practicing school psychologist for over 20 years and a Kentucky licensed psychologist since 2019. My interest in psychology started at a young age and was further cultivated by my dad (a licensed hospital chaplain) and various teachers and mentors in high school and college. Originally, I started college as a pre-med major but quickly found a better fit in psychology. At the end of my junior year, a college professor who had also been my AP Psychology instructor guided me in the direction of school psychology and I haven't turned back since then.  

There are many benefits to choosing school psychology as a career. The two things I enjoy doing the most are 1) supervising the next generation of psychologists through practicum and internship and 2) conducting individual and group counseling sessions with high school students (with specialty areas in anxiety, ADHD, and autism).

My name is Emily Dove and I have been a school psychologist for 11 years.  I initially entered college at Western Kentucky University as an education major, but during my freshman year, I discovered my passion for psychology and decided to change my major. I graduated with a degree in psychology and a minor in child studies, later obtaining my Ed.S. in School Psychology from the University of Kentucky.

I spent the first seven years of my career in the Kansas City area before returning home to Kentucky in 2021. I am truly passionate about working with children, being an active part of our school community, and supporting the needs of all students. I am particularly dedicated to promoting neurodiversity and encouraging students to achieve their unique individual goals.

Hello!  My name is Talya Weston.  I have been a practicing school psychologist for 11 years; however, I was fortunate enough to receive an additional two years of training in school psychology while working under the supervision of a clinical psychologist at the Marshall University H.E.L.P. Program.  I have worked with all ages ranging from Pre-K to college.  This year I am serving Leestown Middle School.  

While working as a graduate assistant at the Marshall University H.E.L.P. Program, I discovered the field of school psychology.  The H.E.L.P. Program is an organization dedicated to supporting students with learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and related disorders.  At the time, I was completing my masters degree in mental health counseling while tutoring students who participated in the H.E.L.P. Program..  I became completely engrossed in helping those students be successful and realized school psychology would be a better fit for me.  After completing my masters program, I decided to return to graduate school to become a school psychologist and I haven’t looked back since.  

My day-to-day routine at Leestown varies and can include (but not limited to) assessments, individual counseling, threat and suicide risk assessment, ARC meeting participation, parent and teacher consultation, assisting with social-emotional learning, participation in department meetings, and MTSS intervention support.

My  name is Leslie Vaughn. My study of school psychology grew out of my initial undergraduate interests in psychopathology and clinical psychology. In fact, upon graduating from the University of Kentucky with my Ed.S., I began my career in my hometown of Houston, TX where I worked under the leadership of a clinical psychologist in the schools.    

Since 2007, I have worked for FCPS across elementary, middle, and high school grade levels. During a brief hiatus from the schools 2016-2020, I facilitated and instructed e-Campus psychology courses for Eastern Kentucky University. Since 2021, I have also pursued credentialing as a life coach with a specific emphasis on working with young adults in their post-secondary pursuits. Both within my work for FCPS and through private coaching, I have most appreciated our role in caring for the whole child. Outside of the professional gratification that comes from working collaboratively with our amazing school psychologists and my exceptional school team toward this end, I've also been ever so grateful for the presence this job has allowed me to have with my own family. An absolute benefit as a working parent is having a work schedule that matches the schedules of your children. For many of us school psychologists, we've never not had a summer! 

My name is Desha Lee, and I am thrilled to return to my home state of Kentucky! I am currently in my first year as a practicing school psychologist. My journey in this field began during my undergraduate studies, where I initially focused on psychology but had limited awareness of its various branches. Through several introductory courses, I discovered my passion for working with children and subsequently declared a concentration in child and family psychology. To further enrich my understanding, I pursued special education courses and completed an internship with Madison County and Clark County Specialty Court, specifically within the drug court system. Despite these diverse experiences, I remained uncertain about my career path until I enrolled in a career psychology class. An assignment prompted me to interview professionals in various fields, and my professor encouraged me to speak with a school psychologist. This suggestion sparked my interest and led me to connect with a school psychologist at Liberty Elementary School in Lexington, Kentucky. After that insightful interview, I explored the career further but still felt unsure. Following my graduation, I took a gap year to work with Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass, where I gained practical experience with children in a different environment. A transformative moment occurred when I formed a connection with a student who struggled to engage with others. The teachers informed me that she rarely opened up to anyone and expressed concern due to the absence of her paraprofessional that day. They asked if I had any training in special education, and that conversation became a pivotal moment that motivated me to apply for graduate programs in School Psychology. The following year, I was accepted into the University of Kentucky's school psychology program. I graduated in May 2024 and completed my school psychologist internship in Greenville County, South Carolina, in June 2024. I believe my experiences have equipped me with valuable skills and insights into the field of school psychology. In my current role, I undertake various responsibilities that support students, staff, and families. I evaluate students, score assessments, review data, and write, edit, and refine reports. Additionally, I provide counseling, engage in professional development, collaborate with colleagues, and strive to understand the unique language and culture of middle school students, lol. Lastly, what I enjoy most about being a school psychologist is partnering with parents/guardians, general education teachers, special education teachers, specialists, and others to foster the academic, social, and emotional growth of students. I believe this collaborative approach creates an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally. 

My name is Jensen Lucas. I am currently the school psychologist serving Bryan Station High School.  In the past, I have also worked at preschool, elementary, and middle school levels, as well as a program placement. This is my 6th year as a practicing School Psychologist, and I have worked in the Kenton Couty and Fayette County school districts.  I gained my internship experience working in Broward County in Florida, and I completed two years of graduate practicum experience at various schools in Scott County.  My path to school psychology started in high school.  My favorite class in high school was Psychology, and I completed my undergraduate with an extended psychology major.  We did not have any classes focused on school psychology, but I had a close friend in the program who was two years older.  She pursued school psychology after graduating and recommended the path to me.  I had not even heard of school psychology as a profession at the time. So, I asked to be paired with a school psychologist for my undergraduate internship class.  There were no available school psychologists to intern with at the time.  So, I completed my internship in a clinical setting, but I was able to shadow a school psychologist, and it was apparent to me quickly that my preference fell within the schools rather than in the clinical setting.  My favorite part of being a school psychologist is connecting with and being able to support students who just need a little more- a little more patience, a little more support, and a little more compassion and empathy.

My name is Christina Sacca. I currently work at the Fayette County Preschool Center and am in my fourth year as a practicing school psychologist. I work with various teams to evaluate preschool aged children for potential special education placement and support.  I work to ensure that the children and families we serve feel valued, heard, and validated. I strive to make the evaluation process an easy and positive experience for the parents and children I work with. I fell in love with psychology while attending the University of Kentucky and began looking into fields that would allow me to help children. I shadowed a school psychologist at an elementary school and knew I wanted to pursue a career in the field immediately. I enjoy the environment and people that I work with and the ability to use the skills I have acquired to change a child's life for the better.  

My name is Katy Freeman and this is my 15th year as a school psychologist at Fayette County Public Schools. I began my career working at Arlington Elementary as a full time school psychologist supporting the highly-structured program for 10 years. I have always worked at the elementary school level. I currently work at Wellington Elementary and Arlington Elementary. I went in to college as a psychology major and criminal justice minor at Gardner-Webb University. Originally, I wanted to work with children in the juvenile justice/court system. I had always been interested in how the brain works, evaluations, and working with children. After graduating, I took a year off and worked as a one-on-one paraeducator for a student with Downs Syndrome. During this time, I also began coaching swimming. After my experience in the school setting, working with a student who received special education services,  and coaching children ages 6-18, my outlook shifted on where I wanted to be and the kids that I wanted to support. The following year, I began graduate school at Eastern Kentucky University for Clinical Psychology. However, after a year, I switched my area of focus to School Psychology.

Throughout my career, I have worked with students from different cultures and backgrounds.  My favorite part of this job is consulting with staff, students, and families. Specifically, I enjoy being able to provide support to some of our most challenging students, consulting with the staff by attending student support meetings, and providing options and resources to the families.  

My name is Tiffany Rader and this is my 20th year working as a bilingual (English/Spanish) school psychologist.  I work at Cardinal Valley Elementary and Maxwell Spanish Immersion Elementary.  I assist with Autism assessments throughout the district.  I am also privileged to support the district with best practices for English learners through consultation and helping to train staff and interpreters for assisting with special education assessments and meetings.  I also provide supervision for school psychology students in their practicum or internship years.  I have previously participated in the district crisis response team and have participated in suicide prevention trainings for parents, teachers, and other staff members through the Youth Mental Health First Aid program.

I grew up babysitting from a young age and I always knew I wanted to work with kids.  At first, I thought I wanted to be a pediatrician but felt this wouldn’t be conducive to the kind of family life I wanted to have.  I took a psychology class in my first semester at Transylvania University and loved it.  My professor had a website focusing on the different kinds of jobs you can get with a degree in psychology and that’s where I found school psychology.  I love working in the school environment and the flexibility it offers me as a working parent.  

Twenty years later and I still love the challenge that school psychology presents.  I love working with children and helping to discover their strengths and challenges and helping the team to plan appropriate services for each student.  It is really fulfilling to work with students and parents who may have more difficulty accessing services to help them learn more about their children’s needs and to help them access appropriate resources.  School psychology is a career that helps me to make a difference in the lives of children and families.

My name is Courtney Bishop. This is my 27th year as a School Psychologist with Fayette County Public Schools. Over the course of my career, I have worked at 25 different schools serving all student levels from preschool through high school. I currently serve two elementary schools.  

I enrolled at Western Kentucky University in 1992 planning to study broadcast journalism but changed my major after falling in love with psychology while taking a Developmental Psychology class. I earned by B.A. in Psychology from Western Kentucky University and a Specialist degree in School Psychology (Psy.S.) degree from Eastern Kentucky University. I was an adjunct professor for two years in the mid 2000’s for Midway College teaching Intro to School Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Statistics and Research Design classes online. I have also been actively involved with KAPS (Kentucky Association Psychology in the Schools) throughout the years serving as Public Relations Chair, Secretary, attending the NASP Public Policy Institute in Washington D.C., Government and Professional Relations Committee, and currently serving as the Fayette County Region Representative.

Working in a larger school district has been extremely helpful in terms of supports and resources available as well as having other school psychologists to learn from and consult with. I thoroughly enjoy working from a team approach on difficult evaluations and cases with the help from my colleagues from other disciplines such as the achievement and compliance coaches, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. In this profession, you must be organized, detailed oriented, and extremely flexible to succeed.

I have developed a particular interest in the psychology of traumatic brain injury ever since I sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident in 2010. My ongoing healing process has given me insight into how our students think and feel when they are struggling and overwhelmed, and what a different it makes in how a person approaches them and uses the correct strategies and programs. The challenges and difficulties students face daily are like puzzle pieces that we must sort through and put back together the best way we can. What a cool and rewarding career we have as school psychologists.

My name is Jessica Blake and I am completing my APPIC internship in Fayette County. I am mainly at Southern Elementary and I am at Lafayette/SCAPA one day a week, as well as observing Amy provide autism support on Tuesdays. 

I graduated from the University of Kentucky in May of 2020 with my bachelor's in psychology. I was always interested in psychology, but I had not heard of school psychology until I attended an informational session hosted at UK. I began my doctoral program in August of 2020 at UK. During my graduate career, I had practicum placements at Anderson County, Scott County, UK Healthcare's Adolescent Medicine, and Jessamine County. Additionally, I taught lab sections of Intro to Psychology and Psychology Research Methods throughout graduate school. 

As a school psychologist intern, I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with families and building those partnerships. The work we do is so important, and I feel lucky to be a part of it. I am excited to grow my skills as a practitioner, and I look forward to continuing to serve students/families and gaining more knowledge of the field. 

My name is Brittany Barnette and this is my 11th year as a school psychologist. I began college as a Biology major thinking I wanted to go into Chiropractic due to my interest in helping others improve as well as my interest in considering the “whole-person”.  Despite my initial interests in Chiro, when I took Intro to Psychology my first semester of college, I really enjoyed it and realized this was the direction best suited for me. I obtained both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Eastern Kentucky University.

This is my 11th year as a school psychologist and my 9th in Fayette County. Currently, I serve the preschool and elementary population. To no surprise my favorite part of this job is considering and helping the “whole-student.” Specifically, I enjoy working with the child but also piecing together information sources to gain further understanding about their academic and behavior performance as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Given that I work with some of FCPS’ youngest learners, I am frequently involved in the initial SPED evaluation process. As part of this, I am afforded the opportunity of helping parents to understand and feel comfortable with the special education process, which is something I also enjoy about this job.

My name is Kelly Gorbett, and I’ve been a school psychologist for 16 years (15 of those with Fayette Co.). I’m assigned to Veterans Park Elementary and the Preschool Center. At both settings, I work with children and families through the evaluation process. I provide academic, behavior, and social-emotional consultation with teachers and families. I also provide counseling at the elementary school.  Growing up, I thought I always wanted to be a teacher until my senior year of high school when I took a psychology course and loved it. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree with a double major in psychology and criminal justice. I then completed my graduate work at Ball State University with a master’s degree in counseling and then a PhD in school psychology. I had never heard of the school psychology profession until I attended graduate school. I was so excited when I discovered it because I felt like it was the perfect combination of being able to work in both fields of psychology and education. I completed my internship and first year as a school psychologist in Tampa, FL. I love being a school psychologist because I love working with children and families. Education is extremely important to me, so I love the opportunity for helping all children better access their education.

My name is Amy Detjen. I was born and raised in Lexington, KY – attending Cassidy Elementary, Lexington Traditional Magnet School, and graduating from Henry Clay High School.  I received my B.A. in Psychology from Auburn University in 2000, then returned to Lexington, attending the University of Kentucky for graduate school.  I received my Ed.S. in School Psychology from UK in the spring of 2002.  I have been employed by FCPS since fall of 2002 and have served multiple elementary schools and the Fayette County Preschool Center over my 22 year career.  In 2023 I was awarded Kentucky School Psychologist of the Year.  I have expertise in: autism evaluations, early childhood evaluations, and behavior consultation at the early childhood and elementary levels. 

My name is Paige Hale and this is my 18th year in public education. I proudly serve the students of Winburn Middle School and the Stables. While I have worked in a traditional school psychologist position for the majority of my career, I have also served as an elementary school counselor (BAC/504 Coordinator) and district behavior specialist. 

2024-2025 is my first year back in a full-time, traditional school psychologist position in almost 5 years. I pursued a career in school psychology after spending a life-changing summer working as a counselor at a camp for special needs students from inner-city New York. I currently serve as the KAPS Elections & Awards Committee Chair and a board member of KyCCBD. I see servant leadership as a vital part of my vocation that promotes continued purpose and professional growth.

I’m originally from an Appalachian area of Southern Ohio (Scioto County) and am a first generation college student born to working class parents. I graduated from Transylvania University with a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish before completing my school psychology training (M.S. & Ed.S) at the University of Kentucky. I later earned my Ed.D in Educational Leadership including my DoSE certification from Morehead State University. The past two years, I have focused on improving the Spanish language skills I acquired through my B.A. As a result, I passed my World Language Certification in 2023. My middle school has been the perfect environment to put that knowledge to use in support of students and families.

My name is Brooke Saurer and I am completing my Ed.S. Internship with Fayette County Public Schools. I work at William Wells Brown Elementary, Harrison Elementary, and Rise STEM Academy for Girls. I previously completed practicum placements in Rockcastle County Schools and at Emma B. Ward Elementary in Anderson County. 

I entered college as a psychology major, but I was unsure about the direction I wanted to go in. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I worked with College Mentors for Kids and youth programs through the YMCA of Central Kentucky to gain experience working with children. After learning about the field of school psychology, I felt like it was the perfect combination of my interests.  I am so excited to work in FCPS and continue to build relationships and support the students at my schools!

My name is Yazmeine Johnson and this is my first year out of internship! I completed my internship at Lincoln County Schools where I had the opportunity to work across several elementary schools. This is my first year working in Fayette County and I am so happy to be able to serve the community where I was raised. This year, I am at Deep Springs Elementary four days a week and support Southern Middle School once a week. As a school psychologist, I have the privilege of collaborating with other professionals and families, providing individual counseling, and conducting student evaluations to determine how best to support each child’s growth and success. My favorite part of the role is working one-on-one with students, whether through counseling or testing.

Prior to becoming a school psychologist, I attended Eastern Kentucky University where I started without a major, eventually majoring in anthropology before switching to psychology. During my senior year, I was unsure what I would end up doing with my degree until my advisor recommended a course on school psychology. I then fell in love with the idea of helping children in a school setting. I graduated from EKU with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minors in anthropology and sociology. During my gap year, I worked as a registered behavior technician, supporting children with autism. My time as an RBT was very special to me and further solidified my desire to help children succeed. I then attended graduate school at the University of Kentucky where I obtained my Ed.S. degree in school psychology. The rest is yet to come!

My name is Katherine Forgy. I have been a practicing school psychologist at all grade levels for over 18 years. Currently, I am working at Picadome and Glendover in various roles, mainly evaluator, counselor, and psych consultant. I love working in a helping profession and working with children and adults alike.  My favorite aspect is being a part of a school community, and I am grateful to work in such a rewarding field. The areas of study that have piqued my interest the most in recent years are autism and dyslexia because these areas seem to be the most evolving in terms of assessment and instruction. ADHD is an area of interest as well.

I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in psychology, but after graduation, I was unsure of what avenue to pursue.  After traveling with a singing group for a year and a half and moving to Nashville for music for another year, I was ready to pursue psychology again. My father had talked to Diann Shuffett's brother-in-law (a personal friend of his) about school psychology and passed the idea along to me.  I thought it sounded like a great fit! I applied to UK for grad school soon thereafter, and the rest is history!

Stacey McDonald is a dedicated school psychologist, author, and public speaker, and the visionary founder of McDonald Hope Ministries, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing mental health awareness. She conducts transformative mental health workshops and seminars for businesses, schools, and faith-based organizations, hosts the highly anticipated annual Gospel of Mental Health Conferences, and leads weekly live-streamed empowerment sessions on prominent social media platforms.

Stacey's path in school psychology began in 2009, fueled by her own experiences as a student in Fayette County Public Schools who overcame childhood trauma. Today, she passionately serves in elementary and middle school settings, where she evaluates and counsels students to meet their educational, social, and emotional needs. Collaborating closely with teachers and staff, she crafts effective classroom management strategies, develops behavior intervention plans, and provides customized support for students. She also maintains open communication with families, ensuring they are informed about their children's progress and the strategies implemented for their success.

What Stacey values most about her work is the profound opportunity to create a positive and lasting impact on the lives of students and families, much like the extraordinary former principal who inspired her journey.

My name is Christie Fann. This is my 23rd year as a school psychologist. I completed my internship year in Bourbon County Schools, in a somewhat non-traditional position as the school psych for the alternative middle and high school program. The next year, I began working for FCPS and have remained here since. 

In FCPS, I have had the opportunity to work with various schools and programs. I was the school psychologist assigned to the Highly Structured Classrooms (HSCs) when that program was created in 2006. That position allowed me to work with several different schools, various central office staff, and consult with schools and agencies throughout the state regarding incoming students. Once I had my second child, I went back to a more traditional school psych position.  I have primarily worked in the elementary setting with schools with a variety of populations, including students who are refugees and MSD programming. Because of this I have had considerable experience with ELL and Autism evaluations. 

My name is Priti Wilson and this is my 21st year as a school psychologist.  I currently serve Ashland Elementary and Tates Creek Middle School.  I began my career as an employment trainer in Fayette County and worked with students with disabilities at the high school level to help them become independent and employed within the community.  After almost four years, I decided to pursue my career as a school psychologist and work closely with students, families, and staff to ensure students could be successful through their schooling and achieve better outcomes. I wanted to become a school psychologist after receiving support myself in middle school working through some personal struggles and making an impact on others, as others have in my life.  

As a school psychologist, I have worked with Pre-K, elementary and middle school students and their families. I enjoy working with children and adolescents who have anxiety and depression, behavioral disabilities, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and moderate to severe disabilities and also enjoy supervising practicum students who want to pursue their degrees in school psychology.  I try to look at the children and adolescents I serve through a wide lens, while trying to understand their long term outcomes and goals.  I plan to continue my career and impact the lives of many more children and their families and understand their interests and goals as well as their challenges and areas of growth.  What I enjoy the most about being a school psychologist is working closely with children and supporting their families in understanding that despite their challenges, they can be successful with proper support. 

My name is Jenny Walker. I currently serve as the school psychologist at Edythe J. Hayes and Garden Springs Elementary School. This is my second year at E.J. Hayes and my first year at Garden Springs. I have been a practicing school psychologist for 11 years. I began my career as a school psychologist in TN where I worked for Loudon County Schools for 4 years. I was hired in Fayette County in 2017 and have worked at the elementary and middle school level. My primary role at my schools includes providing individual counseling, conducting assessments, supporting intervention development, offering behavior support, consulting with teachers and staff, and attending MTSS/SPS meetings to assist with intervention planning and the discussion of potential referrals.  

What led me to being a school psychologist: I have always been interested in psychology and really enjoyed the psychology courses I took in undergrad. My mother, who worked as a psychologist at a University Counseling Center also inspired me and I always felt that working with students would be something I would enjoy. Initially, I chose to major in Clinical Psychology, where I learned about school psychology through the Clinical Program. I quickly realized that I enjoyed the school environment and decided to pursue my Specialist Degree in School Psychology after completing my master's in clinical psychology. 

What I like most about being a school psychologist is having the opportunity to collaborate with students and support them in discovering ways to reach their full potential. 

My name is Megan Thomas and this is my 11th year working as a school psychologist with Fayette County Public Schools.  For my first 10 years, I worked in the elementary school setting supporting my schools by coordinating and completing evaluations, consulting and collaborating with staff, participating on MTSS teams, and advocating for students and families.  This year, I have the privilege of working at the Fayette County Preschool Center.  I love my job at the preschool completing evaluations for our youngest students and helping connect families with resources and support.  

I entered my freshman year of undergraduate as an architecture major at the University of Kentucky.  It didn’t take me long to realize architecture school was not for me, but I had no idea what I wanted to do instead.  It was my mom who first suggested that I look into psychology because she thought I was a “good listener.” When I discovered the field of school psychology and realized I could combine my love for kids, interest in psychology, and passion for public education in one job, I knew I had found a career I wanted to pursue.  I earned my B.A. in Psychology, M.S. in School Psychology, and Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Kentucky, and I am currently a licensed psychologist as well as a nationally certified school psychologist.  My favorite part of my job is getting to interact and play with amazing kiddos every day.  It is so rewarding to know that I am making a difference in the lives of students and families through early identification of delays or disabilities and then helping put needed supports in place.  I strive to make a connection with each family I work with, provide evaluation results in a clear and compassionate manner, and most importantly, to be a strong advocate for the best interests of our students and families.

My name is Stacia Angell and I am currently serving as the school psychologist for Lafayette High School, SCAPA of the Bluegrass, and Southside Technical Center.  In this role, I conduct evaluations; provide individual counseling; consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other mental health providers; provide MTSS intervention support; crisis intervention support; conduct threat assessments and suicide risk assessments; participate in PBIS meetings; and ARC meetings.  Additionally, I provide supervision for the doctoral internship.      

I have been practicing as a school psychologist for over 20 years, became nationally certified in 2005, and became a licensed psychologist in Kentucky in 2008.  Over the course of my career, I have worked with students in grades Pre-K through 12th grade.  This is my third year in Fayette County Public Schools.  Prior to coming to Fayette County, I was in Mercer County Schools in Harrodsburg, Kentucky for 15 years; Sapulpa Public Schools in Sapulpa, Oklahoma for two years; and Lewisville Independent Schools in Lewisville, Texas for one year of internship. 

I initially developed an interest in the field of psychology when I took two classes in high school as a student attending Lafayette High School.  After high school, I attended Eastern Kentucky University where I was initially enrolled in the Pre-law program majoring in political science and minoring in English and psychology.  After taking several psychology classes, I developed a greater interest in the field and decided to change my major to psychology and minored in English and political science. After completing my B.S. in psychology at Eastern Kentucky University, I was not sure which area of psychology I wanted to pursue and the following year I was granted permission to take a few classes in the clinical psychology program, school psychology program, and counseling program. From there, I completed my M.S. in Clinical Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University.  During my internship year for my Masters, I worked in community mental health where I realized I could have more of an impact on children and families by working in the schools so I decided to pursue my doctorate in school psychology.  After taking a year off, I attended Oklahoma State University where I obtained a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a focus in School Psychology.  As a part of that program, I completed my internship in Lewisville, Texas at Lewisville Independent School District, which is an APPIC and APA accredited internship site.    

My areas of special interest include Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Assessment, Equitable Practices for Diverse Populations, Consultation, Crisis Intervention, and Special Education Disproportionality.  What I enjoy most about being a school psychologist is working with students to support and encourage them to achieve their goals and greatest potential. Additionally, I enjoy providing practicum and internship supervision to up and coming school psychologists.  

My name  is Julie Morris Teets. This is my first year with FCPS! I am the School Psychologist at Liberty Elementary.

I earned my B.A. In English and Psychology from Ohio State University and loved psychology and OSU so much I stayed for an Ed.S. degree in School Psychology. I completed a year-long internship with Columbus City Schools, then worked for several years at two diverse elementary schools in a suburb of Columbus (Dublin). I was fortunate to be trained by and work alongside some incredible educators who really believed in the goodness of kids and the importance of a problem-solving, team approach. My husband's job took us from Ohio to Florida to Kentucky, and I took a hiatus from the field while we steadily acquired more kids and animals.

My favorite part of being a School Psychologist is definitely the kids and being able to work as a team to support them. I also love the investigative aspect of it - gathering and analyzing information, trying to assemble it into a cohesive narrative that may make a kid's life even a tiny bit better.

My name is Rachel Gustafson, and this is my first year working as a school psychologist. I am excited to be here at Fayette County Public Schools! I currently serve Breckinridge and Meadowthorpe Elementary Schools where I collaborate and consult with teachers and parents, conduct psychoeducational assessments, and participate in MTSS and ARC meetings to support students.

I received my B.S. in Psychology from Northern Michigan University in 2014. I then worked in community mental health for several years; working in and managing group homes and vocational programs for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. I received my Master of Health Administration degree during this time but eventually decided I wanted to work more directly within the field of psychology, and to help children. After exploring my options, I knew the field of school psychology was for me. School is an incredibly important part of children’s lives, and practicing in this setting allows me to support the whole child by identifying strengths and areas of need academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Practicing in the school also removes barriers that families may face when trying to obtain services in the private setting.

I recently graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in summer 2024 with my Ph.D. in School Psychology and am currently completing my post-doctoral internship here at FCPS so that I can pursue licensure as a psychologist in the future. During my time in graduate school and pre-doctoral internship, I conducted psychoeducational assessments and provided counseling and skill-building services to people of all ages in both the school and clinic settings. My dissertation focused on measuring emotional knowledge and regulation as well as social skills in early childhood, all of which are strong interests of mine. I am a believer in consuming and participating in research throughout one’s career and hope to stay active and grow in this area.   

My name is Nicole Highland and I have been a certified school psychologist since 2001 and a licensed psychologist since 2006.   I graduated from Hanover College with a BS in psychology.   It was my educational experience in college and my mother’s background as a child guidance specialist that led me to this field.  In 2008 I entered the School Psychology program at the University of Kentucky and graduated with my Ed.S. in 2001 and my Ph.D. in 2004.  I worked for Fayette County Public Schools during the 2001-2002 school year and returned in 2011.   Between that time I worked in Anderson County Public Schools and a private practice in Frankfort, KY.   Over the years I have worked with children/young adults at all levels – preschool through college.   I have enjoyed all of the various ages and settings.  I currently serve two wonderful elementary schools in Fayette County, Meadowthorpe and Rosa Parks. My day-to-day routine can include assessments, ARC meeting participation, family and teacher consultation, intervention development, and supervision support for graduate students. Playing a role in helping students reach their academic and social-emotional goals and being part of a school community is very fulfilling! 

My name is Robyn Henrich and this is my 24th year as a school psychologist. I have spent my entire career in Fayette County. I currently work at Brenda Cowan Elementary and Northern Elementary, serving students from preschool through fifth grade.

My path to become a school psychologist was not straightforward. During my undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky (UK), I changed my major several times. I had developed a passion for mental health in high school and this led me to enroll in an Intro to Psychology course during my first semester at UK. Within the first few weeks, I knew psychology was the perfect major for me. My plan was to pursue a psychology degree while also taking pre-med courses, with the end game being medical school. As I entered my senior year at UK, I began to have second thoughts about my future career and soon realized that my heart was in psychology, not medicine. I began to explore psychology careers and randomly heard about school psychology. Growing up in a family of teachers, I always had a deep connection to the field of education. With school psychology, I could combine my love of psychology with my connection to education, so I knew this was the ideal career for me.

As a school psychologist, I work with my schools to create positive, supportive learning environments so that students can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. In this role, I perform a variety of activities that are primarily focused on evaluations, consultation, and collaboration. In addition to my professional duties, I participate in various school events and play an active role in the school community. This includes being one of cheer coaches at Brenda Cowan Elementary. My favorite part about being a school psychologist is working with my amazing school teams to make a difference in the lives of our students. 

My name is Lorie Hall, and I have been a school psychologist for 27 years, with one additional year as a guidance specialist/504 chair.  I have practiced school psychology across all grade levels ranging from preschool through high school, in both rural and urban districts across the state.  In Fayette County, I currently provide services at Dixie Magnet Elementary and James Lane Allen Elementary, with my job role encompassing special education evaluations and IEP plans, counseling and student supports, consultative services and trainings for teachers and families, and communication with outside agencies on behalf of students.  As an advocate for the profession of school psychology, I previously served as a Kentucky Association for Psychology in the Schools (KAPS) Secretary, led the Central Kentucky Special Education Cooperative (CKSEC) school psychologist cadre, and worked with colleagues to develop a training resource called the KAPS Mental Health Toolkit.  Having grown up amongst both the beauty and the hardships in Eastern Kentucky, I had always wanted to find a career where I could help children like me overcome barriers to improve their lives, and I love that my job allows me to problem-solve and to look for ways to help students grow academically, emotionally, and socially.  Not every career allows you to experience the laughter and joy of children each day, and that’s the part of my job I love best.

My name is Lindsey Myers. I am currently the school psychologist at Sandersville Elementary and also serve Julius Marks Elementary one day a week. I previously worked at Leestown Middle School for 9 years and have worked at levels from preschool through high school in four different districts in central Kentucky. This is my 18th year as a practicing school psychologist with 10 of those years in Fayette County. I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology at Berea College and my Ed.S. at the University of Kentucky, with my internship completed in Montgomery County. While I initally wanted to be a clinical psychologist working with adults, an internship in undergrad, as well as jobs working as a summer camp counselor, made me realize how much I enjoyed working with kids. My life and job experiences prior to graduate school, also fueled my interest in working in the public school system with and for children of all backgrounds and income levels. My favorite part of being a school psychologist is the various opportunies I get through each day to work with a variety of students and families and to be able to work together with teachers and staff to problem-solve and try to do what is best for kids. I have a passion for students with Autism and for working with diverse populations. 

My name is Stephanie Boggs. I serve Henry Clay High School (HCHS), The Learning Center (TLC), STEAM Academy, Success Academy, and Success VLA. At all of these settings, I complete special education evaluations; consult with faculty, staff, admin, and parents in both academics and social/emotional/behavioral concerns; counseling; and attempt to support in general “all things high school.” This is my 24th year as a practicing school psychologist and was fortunate that my internship (career) began in Fayette County Public School servicing HCHS and various elementaries. As Fayette County grew and developed alternative programs, I began servicing those programs and have continued to date. I knew, beginning in middle school, that I wanted to help people manage their “problems” in any way that didn’t involve the medical field, so I landed on psychologist even though I didn’t know exactly what that would look like. Upon pursuing my bachelors in psychology at EKU, I worked with the Parents Helpers Program delivering cribs, car seats, etc. to families in rural areas of southeastern Kentucky. I also worked at Migrant Even Start/Kentucky River Foothills Head Start assisting mother’s with getting their GED and equipping their preschoolers with school readiness skills. During my senior year at EKU, I was approached by one of my psychology professors who informed me of the school psychology program. He stated that he believed that I was a good candidate and encouraged me to apply to the program. I was already a mother, discovered I loved working in education with families by working in those programs, and determined to be a some sort of practicing psychologist, so the school calendar was a perfect fit. The rest is history as they say. What I love most about being a school psychologist is witnessing students, staff, co-workers, and families overcome adversity. 

My name is Miki Tanaka Keefe. I have been practicing school psychology since 2013. I have worked in several counties and all grade levels from preschool to high school, including in alternative school settings with diverse level of abilities and backgrounds. I joined Fayette County in 2018. My primary placement of support has been in preschool and elementary settings at FCPS. I also support Japanese students and families throughout the district as needed as I am fluent in Japanese. I serve various roles in my schools with my primary duty related to special education evaluation and consultation. I particularly enjoy working with school teams, families, and students to problem solve ways to support students achieve their full potential through strategies, connections to resources, interventions, and available services. That is one of my biggest reasons that I pursued a career in school psychology once I learned what school psychologists are capable of. I feel grateful for all of the opportunities I get to work with students, families, and staff to assist in achieving their dreams.