Gwen Badgerow
It is a privilege to have the opportunity to introduce Gwen Badgerow as a nominee for the Illinois School Psychologist Association Practitioner of the Year Award. It is difficult to begin because there is so much that I would like to tell you about Gwen and words seem inefficient. Gwen is a true life long learner who continues to develop her skills and learn new things on a daily basis.
Gwen is student centered and excels in the implementation of problem solving and the response to intervention (RTI) process. She has been instrumental in the implementation of the RTI system at the schools that she serves. She has communicated her enthusiasm for data based decision-making and problem solving to the entire school community and as a result students are learning and she has assisted in developing a model site for RTI and problem solving.
Gwen is also skilled in working with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. She is creative in her approach to the development of intervention plans and never looses sight of the student’s needs. Gwen developed a peer tutoring program utilizing students with emotional/behavioral disabilities to provide instructional intervention to kindergarten through third grade students. It brought tears to my eyes to observe this program in action.
Gwen has also had an impact on the future generation of school psychologists in her role as an intern and practicum supervisor. Gwen was recently awarded the first Practicum Supervisor of the Year award from the Department of Psychology at Illinois State University.
In addition, Gwen is completing a research project in conjunction with Gary Cates from ISU. She is working collaboratively on the development of a new reading intervention program, My Breakfast Reading Program, that is beginning to gain national attention.
School Psychology is not just a profession or a career to Gwen, it is a true passion. She has dedicated her time to providing the best services possible to students, providing support and encouragement to teaching staff and parents, mentoring and teaching graduate students, and being a motivating team leader. Her excitement for the profession is an inspiration to all school professionals that have the privilege to work with Gwen. It is indeed my great honor to introduce to you Gwen Badgerow, School Psychologist.
Gwen is student centered and excels in the implementation of problem solving and the response to intervention (RTI) process. She has been instrumental in the implementation of the RTI system at the schools that she serves. She has communicated her enthusiasm for data based decision-making and problem solving to the entire school community and as a result students are learning and she has assisted in developing a model site for RTI and problem solving.
Gwen is also skilled in working with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. She is creative in her approach to the development of intervention plans and never looses sight of the student’s needs. Gwen developed a peer tutoring program utilizing students with emotional/behavioral disabilities to provide instructional intervention to kindergarten through third grade students. It brought tears to my eyes to observe this program in action.
Gwen has also had an impact on the future generation of school psychologists in her role as an intern and practicum supervisor. Gwen was recently awarded the first Practicum Supervisor of the Year award from the Department of Psychology at Illinois State University.
In addition, Gwen is completing a research project in conjunction with Gary Cates from ISU. She is working collaboratively on the development of a new reading intervention program, My Breakfast Reading Program, that is beginning to gain national attention.
School Psychology is not just a profession or a career to Gwen, it is a true passion. She has dedicated her time to providing the best services possible to students, providing support and encouragement to teaching staff and parents, mentoring and teaching graduate students, and being a motivating team leader. Her excitement for the profession is an inspiration to all school professionals that have the privilege to work with Gwen. It is indeed my great honor to introduce to you Gwen Badgerow, School Psychologist.
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