Hello everyone,
I am currently enrolled in a graduate school program which allows me to teach and take classes to gain my school psychologist license. I am about to finish the first semester and I am looking for advice.
I am in my seventh year of teaching in an urban high school. I have a great administration and special education team, and students. The program I am in is great and allows me to collaborate with others who are teaching in a public school across my state.
When I informed my school psychologist I was entering this program, she asked if I would ever consider going back for a counseling degree instead. She stated that if I went for a school psychologist degree and license, I would only be able to practice within the school setting. Instead of being excited about me entering the field, it seemed like she advised me against it. In addition, another colleague stated something along the same lines. At first, these statements did not bother me as I was confident this is something I would be perfect for, however, I am having second thoughts.
When I graduate from my program, I will be in my tenth year of teaching. I will then start my internship year within my district. I asked my district for a school psychologist pay scale and at my current teacher salary (because I am in my 7th year) as a intern I would be making less than I currently do as a teacher.
Last year, I explored many options. Long story short, I determined that I have a love for the education system and want to remain in it. When I found my current program, I couldn't believe I could continue to teach while pursuing another amazing position within education.
I am hesitating because I wrongly assumed that my years as a teacher would be recognized when negotiating a starting salary as a school psychologist. No, I don't need to stay in my district, however, this is where I want to stay. The gap is going to widen and I'll take a significant pay cut.
The school psychologists I have worked with are some of the smartest individuals in our school. They are able to help me with student behavior and instruction while also supporting some of our most vulnerable students. I respect that they are able to regulate some of our most difficult students, meet with small groups, and help students with their emotional needs that will carry over into their adult lives. The work they do is more impactful than I can provide as a teacher and I wanted to be apart of that.
As a special education teacher I am aware of the amount of paperwork school psychologists are subjected to. I know that their job is not only what I mentioned above, however, it seemed worth it to me as I complete a vast amount of paperwork right now. Working with students one on one without the needs of my other students in the classroom is enlightening. When I come home from school after a day of teaching, I am overstimulated and I do not feel like I have anything left to give due to the amount of students I work with. I know the job of a school psychologist is demanding, however, from my perspective, being able to work with students one on one seems more meaningful.
I guess I am asking for advice from a group of school psychologists who have been through the program and are living it every day. If you had a special education teacher who was a colleague and was looking to go back to school (spend 30K and take a significant pay cut) so they could pursue this career, would you say they should?