CAITLIN KOLESAR

A dedicated and mindful Teaching Assistant offers passionate and informed support to students and staff. Experienced interpersonal communicator addresses unique queries within educational settings and accommodates staff curriculum requirements.

Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

• Deans List 2020
• Comeback player of the year 2020
• Volunteers at St Joseph's
• Community Service 2022-2023 SUNY Plattsburgh
• Kids Night Out - 2021- 2022 SUNY Plattsburgh Women's Basketball team

I have always played various sports since I was 5 years old.  Soccer, Softball, Flag Football and Basketball.  My passion and my drive is Basketball.  

Basketball has taught me various life lessons.  It taught me to have patience, drive, integrity, determination and to me a team player.  No matter the circumstances, supporting my team mates has always been important to me.  During my career in Basketball, I have had ups and downs, but I never faulted or complained about someone else's success.  

Playing Basketball later in High School and AAU, I saw players beat themselves up and feel defeated when things did not go the way we anticipated it would.  In some cases it caused these individuals as well as my self to second guess our choices in playing ball.  Finding the balance between life and being successful in sports can be a mentally challenging and exhausting prospect.  These factors played a major part in my decision to pursue a career in Sports Psychology.  Not only have I gone through it myself, I can help others navigate between both worlds and encourage to speak about their worries and concerns to move forward. 

In my junior year of high school, I sustained a severe concussion that developed into a life altering condition called convergence insufficiency. This effected my vision to the point that I needed help to get through class and everyday tasks. During this time, it was very difficult as an Athlete with this condition as there was no help for me to deal with this on a mental health level. My parents got me the best medical help for me but as far as how I was dealing with it, it was traumatizing. My coach was not supportive in any way as he had no understanding of what I was going through. It took a year before I felt even some sense of normalcy as I came into my Senior year. I had a great support system at home but at school there was not anything for me.

This is one of the very big reasons I am pursuing Sports Psychology as I feel I can offer a Student Athlete my experience but my guidance and knowledge to guide them with support. To give a Student Athlete someone to talk to who understands what an injury does to them mentally can give the person hope, peace of mind and tools to navigate that recovery.