Remarks from OSPA Awards Committee Co-Chair Cindy Thompson

I would now like to introduce to your our prestigious School Psychologist of the Year Award winner. The purpose of this award is to recognize one school psychologist each year that provides outstanding service delivery within the practitioner realm. Winners of this award have provided unparalleled services school psychological services to students, teachers, and parents in a school setting.

I am pleased to present you with the OSPA 2014 School Psychologist of the Year, Dr. Heather Doyle.

Heather Doyle graduated from Kent State University with her doctorate in school psychology and her educational specialist in K-12 leadership . She worked throughout the Medina school district, where she has completed quality evaluations, assisted with RTI, worked with school psychology practicum students and interns, participated on the district leadership team, and became the special education coordinator. Outside of her considerable district involvement, Heather also participated on the Medina County Crisis Intervention Team, worked as Levy Campaign Community Chair, was a member of the Youth Advisory Consortium for the Medina County Family First Council, and has worked on grant proposals and scholarly articles. Heather has been very involved in her professional organizations, acting as the OSPA Public Relations and Community Service Co-Chair from 2010 to 2014 as well as being elected to the office of President for the Kent Akron Association of School Psychologists.

For her outstanding service delivery to her district, professional organizations, and community, the Ohio School Psychologists Association Executive Board is honored to present Heather with the 2014 Ohio School Psychologist of the Year Award.

Remarks from Heather Doyle

Good afternoon. I am very excited to be here today. One of my favorite quotes is “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” That quote is authored by one of my favorite psychologists, Carl Rogers, and represents a concept that has shaped both my professional and personal life. School psychology is a field that is focused on continuous improvement of the educational services our schools provide and encouraging the children we serve to be the best they can be.

School psychologists instinctively look for a baseline or a starting point and set goals for to maximize success. I view school psychology as an integrally important field within education and even though I have crossed over to the administrative side of education I will always consider myself a school psychology first and foremost.

First, I would like to thank OSPA. We are blessed to have such a wonderful organization supporting our profession in the state. I am also lucky to be a part of a wonderful regional organization, the Kent Akron Association of School Psychologists (KAASP). Thanks to my former supervisors at Medina City Schools, Kris Quallich and Paul Kidd. As we all know, support from your administrators is vitally important for professional development. I would have not been able to complete my doctorate and my administrative licensure , and I would not have been able to maintain an active role in OSPA and KAASP. I would like to thank my former colleagues at Medina City Schools. I learned so much from working with all of you. I would also like to thank my colleagues at Copley-Fairlawn City Schools for welcoming as Director of Pupil Services. Thanks to my professors at Bethany College in Bethany, WV and Kent State University; Caven Mcloughlin who was my advisor from the beginning of graduate school, my dissertation chair, and a mentor. I am very thankful to be a part of such a fantastic profession full of gifted and dedicated individuals, and I am very honored to accept this award. Thank you.