Rebecca Blais
Glenville,NY
Summary
Thoughtful School Psychologist with 19 years of experience guiding students through insurmountable obstacles, managing treatment planning and goal progress. Supportive listener with creativity and sensitivity when treating individuals with varying psychological concerns. Supportive and tactful navigator of difficult family dynamics, leading parent meetings with cultural awareness and objectivity.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Psychologist
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District
2017.09 - Current
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Conducted comprehensive psycho-educational assessments utilizing a variety of tools and strategies.
- Conducted functional behavioral assessments to identify underlying causes of challenging behaviors and create effective behavior intervention plans accordingly.
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions.
- Conducted suicide and violence risk assessments.
- Assisted in crisis response efforts, ensuring timely interventions for at-risk students while maintaining a safe learning environment.
- Co-wrote grant for creation and implementation of high school sensory room.
- Provided building level professional development
- Provided parent training on the topic of ADHD
- Co-advisor of Leadership Training Program
- Active participant in weekly Pupil Assistance Team meetings
CSE/CPSE Chairperson
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District
2013.09 - 2017.08
- Facilitated coordination between families, educational programs, and staff for seamless implementation of individualized education plans.
- Ensured compliance with educational regulations through effective leadership of CSE and CPSE meetings.
- Led the IDEA Disproportionate Identification Self-Review Committee as Chairperson.
- Conducted on-site training for Crisis Prevention Institute district staff
- Active participant in County CPSE meetings and BOCES hosted CSE Chairpersons meetings.
School Psychologist
Schodack Central School District
2006.02 - 2013.08
- Conducted comprehensive assessments for initial psycho-educational evaluations and re-evaluations.
- Conducted social emotional screenings and performed Functional Behavioral Assessments to develop Behavior Intervention Plans
- Facilitated and oversaw the elementary level Instructional Support Team and the Response to Intervention Process
- Conducted individual counseling and facilitated group social skills sessions
- Consulted with staff, parents, and outside agencies on a routine basis
- Crisis intervention for high needs students
- Member of the district Wellness Committee - coordinated and oversaw district-wide wellness initiatives
- Co-advisor for Kiwanis Kids extracurricular program
- Chairperson for CSE and CPSE meetings
Examiner
Pearson Field Research
2012.01 - 2012.06
- Recruited and assessed specific examines for the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) standardization project.
Examiner
Woodcock Johnson Research Studies - Riverside Publishing
2011.06 - 2012.06
- Recruited and assessed specific examinees for the standardization of the revised Woodcock-Johnson testing series.
School Psychology Practicum/Internship
North Colonie School District
2004.01 - 2005.12
- Conducted comprehensive multidisciplinary psychoeducational evaluations at the primary and secondary level for initial referrals and re-evaluations
- Facilitated group and individual counseling sessions on such topics as self-esteem, anger management, social skills, and bullying
- Participated in spontaneous and ongoing consultation with teachers, staff, and parents
- Attended and participated in Child Study Team, Pupil Services Team, Annual Review, Psychology Department, and parent-teacher meetings
- Assisted in the development of behavior intervention plans
- Assisted in the organization and facilitation of kindergarten screening.
Special Education Classroom Aide
Mohonasen High School
2004.03 - 2004.06
- Attended classes and assisted students in those classes with taking notes, focusing and redirecting their attention
- Served as the liaison between the regular classroom teacher and the special education teachers
- Assisted students in the Resource Room by pre-teaching and re-teaching new concepts, holding review sessions, and teaching various organization/study skills strategies.
Teacher for ACHIEVE After School Program
Draper Middle School
2004.03 - 2004.06
- Developed and implemented a versatile after school program for at-risk sixth graders
- Served as teacher and counselor for ten students, focusing on such issues as study skills, interpersonal relations, physical and emotional well-being.
Teaching Assistant
Wildwood School
2003.09 - 2004.03
- Worked closely with a diverse group of students aged 11-14 who had multiple disabilities, to enhance their social, functional, and academic abilities
- Created lesson plans, monitored student progress, attended and participated in weekly staff meetings.
Editorial Assistant
Thomson Delmar Learning
2002.06 - 2003.09
- Coordinated reviews of proposals, sample chapters, and manuscript drafts
- Developed low priority books-analyzed and incorporated market feedback and worked with authors on necessary revisions
- Prepared art and text manuscripts
- Managed product funding process, team administrative functions, and team library.
Creative Services Specialist
Professional Insurance Agents
2001.08 - 2002.05
- Wrote, typeset and proofed copy for advertisements, brochures, postcards, and self-mailers
- Wrote magazine articles, press releases, speeches, newsletters, and copy for websites.
Education
Master of Science - School Psychology
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, NY12.2005
Bachelor of Arts - English
Plattsburgh State University
Plattsburgh, NY05.2001
Skills
- Collaborative Problem-Solving
- Academic Intervention Strategies
- Psychoeducational Evaluation
- Individual and family support
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Mental health awareness
- IEP compliance
Certification
New York State Permanent Certification in School Psychology, 10/2009
Affiliations
- New York Association of School Psychologists
- National Association of School Psychologists
Awards
Psi Chi - National Honor Society in Psychology (2001)
References
- Patrick McGrath, Superintendent, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District - 518-399-9141
- Sharon McTygue, Director of Special Education Services, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District - 518-399-9141
- Timothy Brunson, Principal, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School - 518-399-9141
- Darcy Passarelli, CSE Chairperson, Burnt Hills-Ballston lake School District - 518-399-9141
Timeline
School Psychologist
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District
2017.09 - Current
CSE/CPSE Chairperson
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District
2013.09 - 2017.08
Examiner
Pearson Field Research
2012.01 - 2012.06
Examiner
Woodcock Johnson Research Studies - Riverside Publishing
2011.06 - 2012.06
School Psychologist
Schodack Central School District
2006.02 - 2013.08
Special Education Classroom Aide
Mohonasen High School
2004.03 - 2004.06
Teacher for ACHIEVE After School Program
Draper Middle School
2004.03 - 2004.06
School Psychology Practicum/Internship
North Colonie School District
2004.01 - 2005.12
Teaching Assistant
Wildwood School
2003.09 - 2004.03
Editorial Assistant
Thomson Delmar Learning
2002.06 - 2003.09
Creative Services Specialist
Professional Insurance Agents
2001.08 - 2002.05
Master of Science - School Psychology
The College of Saint Rose
Bachelor of Arts - English
Plattsburgh State University
New York State Permanent Certification in School Psychology, 10/2009
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