Presidential Perspective

September 2023 

The POWER of UNITY: School Psychologists Inspire, Empower, and Propel Students to Greatness
I would first like to share my gratitude to the members of the Illinois School Psychologists Association for the opportunity to serve as the 2023-2024 ISPA President. I look forward to hearing from you and working with members, as we collaboratively inform our working communities of our capacity to support children, youth, and families. We are well equipped to encourage students to be their best selves. It is important that we show students that they have a purpose in life that can be realized, despite their personal situations. Children and youth deserve the best educational opportunities possible, regardless of their zip code, family dynamics, culture, race, socioeconomic status, orientation, or any other variables that society misrepresents. As School Psychologists, we have the responsibility to engage in legal and ethical practices to promote positive outcomes for all students.
The work before us takes Graduate Educators, Practitioners, and students working together to broaden the awareness of our profession. We are stronger when we work together. Our combined voices are essential for advocacy and legislative work that will shape our capacity to grow as a profession.

I encourage us all to take the time to self-evaluate and consider how we reach students. We should be mindful of how we assess the unique needs of students, how we engage with students and colleagues, and how we interact with children, youth, and families. Are we expecting and promoting the best from every student, regardless of the challenges that they may face? There is always room for growth and improvement in practice. We strengthen one another!
ISPA has been busy doing the work to support the work of school psychologists. As an association, we have updated the bylaws and constitution. Documents will be shared with members for review with a thirty-day window to provide feedback to the Workgroup, prior to the vote on the final draft.

Members are invited to be a part of the work of ISPA. Please reach out to inform us of your areas of interest in volunteering a few hours of your time. We could use your help to further expand our outreach and to broaden the awareness of our wonderfully amazing career.
I would like to formally invite you to join or renew your ISPA membership. ISPA advocates for the advancement of School Psychology in many ways. Did you know that School Psychologists from other states who hold the NCSP can now work in Illinois as credentialled psychologists? Click on the link to join or renew now.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or want to share your perspective to enhance the work of our association.

Katherine Campbell, Ph.D., NCSP, LCPC
President
Illinois School Psychologists Association
[email protected]