K-12 School Psychologists
Shenendehowa psychologists help children succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students.
School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education, completing a minimum of a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) that includes a year-long supervised internship. This training emphasizes preparation in mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and systems. School psychologists must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which they work.
Role and Responsibilities
School Psychologists Work With Students to:
Provide counseling, instruction, and mentoring for those struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral problems
Increase achievement by assessing barriers to learning and determining the best instructional strategies to improve learning
Promote wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism
Enhance understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and backgrounds
School Psychologists Work With Students and Their Families to:
Identify and address learning and behavior problems that interfere with school success
Evaluate eligibility for special education services (within a multidisciplinary team)
Support students' social, emotional, and behavioral health
Teach parenting skills and enhance home–school collaboration
Make referrals and help coordinate community support services
School Psychologists Work With Teachers to:
Identify and resolve academic barriers to learning
Design and implement student progress monitoring systems
Design and implement academic and behavioral interventions
Support effective individualized instruction
Create positive classroom environments
Motivate all students to engage in learning
Shen Psychologists
Shen High School – East
David Hart (A-F)
(518) 881-0310
Wendy O’Brien (G-M)
(518)881-0310
Christopher Douglas (N-Z)
(518) 881-0310
Shen High School - West
Deborah Ouckama
(518)881-0330
Acadia Middle School
Ericka Darling
(518 ) 881-0453
Gowana Middle School
Genevieve McCauley
(518 ) 881-0463
Koda Middle School
Regina Arevalos
(518) 881- 0473
Arongen Elementary
Nicole Cataldo
(518) 881-0510
Arongen BESD/Shatekon FSD
Erin Cook, PhD
(518) 881-0510
Chango Elementary
Brigid Jeffers
(518)881-0520
Karigon Elementary
Mackenzie Stocchetti
(518)881-0530
stocmack@shenschools.org
Okte Elementary
Amanda Guignard
(518)881-0540
Orenda Elementary
Kristen Culver
(518)881-0550
Shatekon Elementary
Patricia Smith
(518)881-0580
Shatekon FSD
Erin Cook, PhD
(518) 881-0510
Skano Elementary
Michele Boretti, PsyD
(518)881-0560
Tesago Elementary
Sophia Rodenbush, PhD
(518)881-0570
rodesoph@shenschools.org