Damion Smith
Saint Paul,MN
Summary
Accomplished Lead Psychologist delivering emotional awareness, analytical thinking, and psychological assessment expertise. Contributions to student mental health initiatives have driven improved outcomes and fostered a supportive school community.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Psychologist
Saint Paul Public Schools
Saint Paul, MN
08.2013 - Current
- Conducted psychological assessments to identify student needs and implement appropriate interventions, and determine eligibility for special education services.
- Provided crisis intervention services to students experiencing acute emotional distress.
- Developed training programs for staff on mental health awareness and classroom management techniques.
- Analyzed data from student assessments to inform program development and improve outcomes.
- Advocated for student mental health resources within the school community, enhancing overall support systems.
- Trained future psychologists on best practices, counseling techniques, assessment and consultation.
- Expanded professional knowledge by attending conferences and participating in continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices in the field of school psychology.
- Ran monthly department meetings
- Covered FMLA leaves
School Psychologist
Saint Paul Public Schools
Saint Paul, MN
08.2011 - 08.2013
- Conducted psychological assessments and evaluations to identify student needs and inform intervention strategies.
- Developed individualized education plans (IEPs) in collaboration with educators, parents, and support staff.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions to enhance student social-emotional learning and behavioral health.
- Provided training and professional development for school staff on mental health awareness and crisis intervention techniques.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive support for diverse student populations.
- Analyzed data trends to inform program effectiveness and drive improvements in school mental health services.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Assisted in crisis response efforts, ensuring timely interventions for at-risk students while maintaining a safe learning environment.
- Maintained accurate records and documentation in accordance with state regulations, ensuring confidentiality and ethical practices across all professional activities.
School Psychologist
Dayton Public Schools
Dayton, OH
08.2008 - 08.2011
- Facilitated counseling sessions for students experiencing academic, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions for key issues.
- Conducted functional behavioral assessments to identify underlying causes of challenging behaviors and create effective behavior intervention plans accordingly.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Facilitated group counseling sessions, promoting healthy communication skills and peer relationships among participants.
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
- Provided professional development opportunities for staff members on topics related to mental health awareness, classroom management, and social-emotional learning.
- Enhanced student-teacher relationships through consultation services aimed at fostering empathetic understanding of individual student needs and experiences.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Improved student well-being by conducting comprehensive psychological assessments and creating tailored intervention plans.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to implement effective strategies for addressing students'' unique learning needs.
- Completed required documentation and reports for compliance and treatment planning.
- Served as a liaison between families, school personnel, community agencies, and other professionals involved in the care of students with special needs or disabilities.
- Observed students in classroom and play environments.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for continuous improvement.
School Psychology Intern
Trotwood City Schools
Trotwood, OH
08.2007 - 06.2008
- Conducted assessments to identify students' psychological needs and recommend appropriate interventions.
- Collaborated with educators to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) tailored to student requirements.
- Implemented evidence-based strategies to support students with emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Facilitated workshops for staff on mental health awareness and crisis intervention techniques.
Education
Educational Specialist - School Psychology
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH05-2008
Skills
- Emotional awareness
- Analytical thinking
- Child psychology
- Substance abuse counseling
- Psychological assessment
- Multicultural competence
- Behavior analysis
- Data analysis
- Mental health diagnosis
- DSM-V classification
- Professional networking
- Psychotherapy techniques
- Treatment implementation
- Group therapy
- Group therapy facilitation
Timeline
Lead Psychologist
Saint Paul Public Schools
08.2013 - Current
School Psychologist
Saint Paul Public Schools
08.2011 - 08.2013
School Psychologist
Dayton Public Schools
08.2008 - 08.2011
School Psychology Intern
Trotwood City Schools
08.2007 - 06.2008
Educational Specialist - School Psychology
University of Dayton
Past President of the Minnesota School Psychologist Association
I served as President-Elect for 2 years, President for 2 years, and Past President for 2 years. In my time as president, we were able to get the law changed on SLD identification from the discrepancy model to the MTSS model state-wide. While I was president, I presented at the Minnesota Mid-Winter conference, the Kansas Fall conference, and multiple times at the NASP National Conference. I am held in high regard across the nation for my work in this field.