Quotes from Students

“I have really enjoyed attending The University of Montana’s School Psychology Program. The professors are great, they are always willing to take the extra time for you; either by giving extra help, advising, or seeing you as a person and not just a student.” ~Juliana Morrow

"I chose the school psychology program at the U of M because of its concentration in the psychology department and it gives the ability to obtain an Education Specialist degree. Going to school in Montana gives me the opportunity to be near my family as well as receive a top notch education. I know when I graduate from this program I will have been given the training to be a competent and prepared school psychologist." ~ Stacia Reid

"I continue to be amazed by the graduate students in the School Psychology program. Not only is everyone positive and child-centered, but it is evident that a strong understanding exists on the necessity of working together as a team to improve ourselves now, and so we become the best possible advocates for children in our future careers. Our collective desire is to learn rather than to compete with one another. When I have a question about a class or a child I am working with, I know I can rely on members of our program to be supportive and excellent resources. Thanks everyone!" ~Paula Ryan

Pictures of Students

The University of Montana is PROUD to present it's current students in the School Psychology Program!

Second Year Students

From left to right:
Paula Ryan, Casey Davis, Megan Kerzman, Jennifer Reardon, William Richardson, Stacia Reid, Christopher Bushard, and Adrienne Alger

Third Year Students

Top row from left to right:
Eric Aune, Laura Burley, Karen Goll, Cami Hildebrand, Juliana Morrow, and Brice Cordier

Bottom row from left to right:
Hannah Harwood, Camille Barraclough, Allison Taylor, and Erin Gettel

Get to Know Us

Adrienne

I lived in Florida my whole life until I moved out to Montana. I earned my bachelor’s in psychology at UCF in Orlando, FL. Back when I had free time, I liked crafting, sewing, reading and cooking. I chose school psychology because I was interested in applying psychology to education and helping kids succeed and reach their full potential. I chose to come to the University of Montana because I wanted a small, close-knit program with faculty research that interests me, in a beautiful, safe town. I love Missoula and I love grad school!

Allison

Grew up in Helena, MT went to MSU Bozeman for a few years before transferring to U of M and getting a B.A. in psychology. I was introduced to SPSY through undergrad research work and knew that it was the right field for me to pursue.  Additionally, I have been working full time for A.W.A.R.E. in residential care for the past couple of years.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my graduate experience at the U of M and feel very comfortable in my role as a functioning school psychologist.  In my leisure time I like to relax, enjoy the outdoor playground that Missoula has to offer, and play with my dog. 

Billy

I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. I enjoy bike rides, playing the guitar, and white water rafting. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. I have enjoyed my time in Montana so far and have found the University very challenging yet interesting. So far it has been a useful experience in developing my professional career.

Brice

I grew up in Columbia Falls, MT and the proximity to Glacier National Park instilled a love for the outdoors early in my life. I particularly enjoy camping and hiking in summer and downhill skiing in winter. I have also participated in basketball for most of my life, and I hope to coach at some point in my career. After I completed high school, I attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. I originally started my studies in the elementary education program, but I quickly realized that the student-to-teacher ratio was a bit overwhelming for me! By chance, I enrolled in a psychology course and became very interested in the material. Thanks to my Mom and Dad, a speech pathologist and counselor respectively, I became aware of school psychology and decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology with the intent of later attending graduate school for that profession. I have enjoyed the training and guidance I have received at The University of Montana and believe I have received a practical and first-rate education. The program is designed to provide hands-on training in order to supplement the academic material learned. It is very helpful working with practicing school psychologists in the Missoula community, as the information and support they provide is beneficial to the real-life situations one faces as a school psychologist. I am looking forward to my internship for the 2008-2009 academic year and am looking for opportunities in the greater Seattle area.

Cami

I started my studies in Psychology at the Montana State University in Billings after high school, and then took a few years off to get married and start a family.  I finished my undergrad in Psychology at the University of Montana, after my husband was transferred to Missoula .I am married with 3 children, all girls ages 8 yrs, 5 yrs and a newborn baby. My family likes going for drives, walks and hikes and looking for wildlife. My husband and I both enjoy photography. We also enjoy archery and both of my older girls have their own bow and arrows also. I have enjoyed my experience at the University of Montana and have found that they are supportive of me as a mom and a student. My husband and I are both from the Billings area, but really like the Missoula community and area and we are hoping to stay here when I am done with my studies.

Camille

My name is Camille and I grew up in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. I went to Westminster College in Salt Lake City for my undergrad. I received a degree in Developmental Psychology in December of 2004, with a minor in Spanish. After my undergrad I worked a year at The Boys and Girls Club in Salt Lake City working with 7-11 year old kids from low income families. Then I moved to Montana to gain residency and worked for a year as a rehabilitation aide at Teen Recovery Center, a drug rehabilitation facility for adolescents. After working about 60 hours a week, I decided that grad school was where I wanted to be. I applied to many schools, and upon getting accepted to several,decided that the University of Montana was right for me because of the newly trained faculty,the beautiful scenery and the opportunity to be part of a brand new School Psychology Ph.D. program. School psychology for me is a way to combine my love for children with my love for education and psychology. I would like to end up working in a hospital setting with chronically ill children and maybe teaching part time. I am currently working on my thesis which is a survey of school psychologists around the country about their training to work with chronically ill students. In my free time I like to spend as much time as possible outside enjoying the beauty of the summer and any sunlight that peaks through in the winter. The University of Montana has been a great experience because of the immediate hands on training, professor expertise, and a welcoming community.

Casey

I grew up in Dillon, Montana and went to undergraduate school at Carroll College in Helena, Montana where I double majored in Psychology and Sociology. I really enjoy doing things outdoors in the summer, especially at the lakes around the Helena area. I also enjoy working with horses and barrel racing. When I am not doing school work, I travel to Helena and work as a researcher for a grant-funded study that gathers data regarding mental health outcomes for children in Montana. I chose to pursue a career in school psychology because I wanted to be in a profession where I was able to impact children positively and help them succeed, not just in school, but also in their lives. I think working in a school setting with educators, administrators and parents is a great way to advocate for children in education. Right now, I am interested in learning about effective interventions for children, and how to get services and programs in schools to address kid's needs. I chose UM's School Psychology program because it is very comprehensive and they make sure you begin to gain experience in the schools right away. So far, I love the program at UM and I feel that they are preparing us to be very competent as school psychologists in the field.

Chris

I am originally from Great Falls, Montana and grew up there. I have lived in Montana my whole life. Some of my hobbies are: coaching gymnastics and guitar. I got my undergrad in psychology at MSU-Bozeman. I choose a career in SPSY because I like psychology and love working with kids. I chose UM because of the faculty that is here and the research on bullying Dr. Machek is currently doing. I felt that the professors are very passionate about their research and that is very attractive to me. My area of interest is in bullying and different processes that go into bully and aggressive behavior in children. So far my experience in the program has been very positive. I am happy about the opportunities that I have been able to take part in such as being a TA and next semester’s practicum. I am also very excited about working with Dr. Machek on his research and starting my own research as well.

Eric

I am currently in my second year of the SPSY graduate program at the University of Montana and have loved my experiences thus far.  I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Montana and loved the school so much that I decided to stay and pursue my graduate work at the same institution.  Missoula is an outdoor enthusiasts dream.  There is literally an endless list of activities that Missoula has to offer and a community vibe that is relaxed, energetic, and friendly.  I love to go fly fishing, skiing, hiking, whitewater rafting, hunting, and mountain biking.  The staff at the U of M is wonderful and very supportive.  Furthermore, I believe that our department really values each person as an individual and takes the extra time to establish a professional and friendly relationship.  My current interests in the field deal with rapid automatized naming, autism, antisocial behavior, neuropsychology, and biogenetics.  Lastly, our program does an unbelievable job providing students with an ample amount of practical experience which is invaluable and often hard to find in programs.  

Erin

I’m a native Montanan girl, born and raised in Great Falls. Both of my parents are educators and I’ve always know that I wanted to have a career where I could work with kiddos within the education system. I’ve been intrigued by psychology since I took a psychology course as an elective in high school. School psychology just seemed like the natural course for me. I love to do anything outside! Skiing and snowshoeing in the winter and floating the river and backpacking in the summer. I also love to read and you can often find me lying in my backyard with a novel in hand whenever I have a spare moment and am caught up on all my readings for school. I’m happy pretty much anytime I’m around good friends, it doesn’t seem to matter what we’re doing…we’re always having fun! I came to the University of Montana for undergrad right after graduating from high school. I began right away as a psychology major, but I wasn’t sure where exactly I wanted to go with it until I met Dr. Margaret Beebe-Frankenberger my junior year. She became a wonderful mentor for me and, with the experiences I gained through working with her in research, I soon knew that I wanted to pursue a career in school psychology. After taking a year off of school after getting my B.A., during which I traveled to Costa Rica and worked on Dr. Margaret Beebe-Frankenberger’s research grant as a reading interventionist for young students struggling with learning to read, I applied and was accepted to the doctoral program here. It has been very exciting to be, along with my good friend and college Camille Barraclough, the first cohort of doctorate students in the school psychology program. The faculty are amazing - incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, and the school-based experiences that we receive throughout the program have been essential for developing my identity as a professional in the field. Not only have I gained the knowledge and skills to be success in practice, but I have developed life-long friendships with my fellow students. Having such a wonderful support system has been priceless.

Hannah

I completed my undergraduate degree at Davidson College in North Carolina. I became interested in school psychology after working at a residential school for children and adolescents. Being a student at University of Montana has been a wonderful experience. The professors are supportive and have prepared me for the challenges that I’ll face as a school psychologist.  I have really enjoyed living in Missoula and enjoy all the outdoor activities that it has to offer.  

Jen

I am from Chicago, I lived there for 10 years. Before I lived in Chicago I lived in Albany NY. Some of my hobbies are watching movies, reading (when I have time to read stuff other than assignments for class), and drinking coffee. I completed my undergrad at the University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign. I was a psych major. My experience at UM has been great so far. Moving here from Chicago took some getting used to but I really like Missoula. Classes and professors are great. It is a lot of work, but it's all good useful, relevant information. Being able to work in the schools right away is great too!

Juliana

I grew up in the central part of New York State in a town outside of Syracuse for the majority of my life. I have spent the last six years calling Wilsall, Montana home. It is a small town outside of Bozeman and I love it there!  I have several hobbies. I love to read, watch movies, do arts and crafts, and archery. My family and good friends like to say that shopping is a hobby of mine and I guess I would have to agree with them. What can I say, I love a good sale!  I came out to the University of Montana from New York for my undergraduate degree in Psychology. It seems safe to say that I have really enjoyed UM, I mean I did choose to stay here for my graduate work! The professors have been great; in fact they are one of the reasons why I wanted to stay here for my specialist degree. Plus I love the campus; it is really beautiful and offers great events to the students. 

Karen

I am from Ann Arbor, Michigan which is also where I went for my undergraduate education at the University of Michigan for Psychology and Sociology. I enjoy spending time outdoors which is a big reason I chose to come to the University of Montana for school psychology. I was very excited to find a program that is on the cutting edge of the "new" wave of school psychology which is also situated in an area full of recreational opportunities. I have absolutely loved Missoula and the school psychology program at UM. I feel I have been well prepared for my future as a school psychologist and I can make a meaningful difference within the school system.

Laura

I am originally from Libby, MT and completed my undergraduate work in Elementary Education at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. After completing my degree, I taught at an international school on the island of Saipan for a number of years before moving back to Montana to pursue a graduate degree in school psychology. The University of Montana has provided a supportive, balanced, and thorough training in this profession. I have truly enjoyed working at the university with professors and colleagues as well as with the local schools in Missoula. Outside school, I enjoy traveling and an array of outdoor activities such as skiing, biking and running.

Megan

I'm originally from Libby, MT. I attended Carroll College in Helena, MT, where I earned a degree in English and Psychology. I knew I wanted to work with children and adolescents, but I wasn't sure in which capacity. After some exploration, I decided school psychology fit my personality and my desire to help students. I chose the University of Montana because the program met my personal views and requirements and I could stay in Montana, which I love. I am particularly interested in early intervention, gifted and talented programming, and preschool assessment. When I'm not studying, I enjoy reading, horseback riding, playing piano, and quilting. So far my experience at UM has been good overall. It's hard work and sometimes very stressful, but I'm learning an incredible amount and gaining invaluable experience. I know it's all worth it!

Paula

I am a native Montanan, born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation.  I have commuted daily from the reservation for years. First, to complete two undergraduate degrees in Psychology and in Business Administration.  Then, as an employee of the University of Montana, where I worked as a Academic Advisor for struggling students. Finally, to pursue my dream of achieving an advanced degree in School Psychology. This major life change originally felt like a big risk, but as my first year has progressed I realize more and more what a great decision I made.  Not only have I learned alot, but I have met wonderful people, both on campus and in the local school systems, who are excellent resources and guides. Outside of school, me and my husband keep busy caring for our three young sons and spending time with our large extended families.

Stacia

I am from Washington, born in Spokane, but moved to the coast when I was 10; however, I also identify with the Seattle area as I spent a good majority of my time in the Seattle area.  Some of my hobbies include skiing, going to movies, catching up on leisure reading, and having a good time with friends.  After transferring to may different schools, I finally finished my undergraduate degree at Humboldt State University in California. I majored in psychology and minored in Women's Studies and Communication.  I chose a career in school psychology after having worked in different special education schools and as an Applied Behavior Analysis therapist. I still wanted to work in the schools but work more with program implementation, behavior modification, as well as with parents and teachers. It is my desire to help students be as successful as they can in school as well as support teachers and parents in helping their students.  An area of interest for me right now is positive behavior support systems and implementation. I am currently seeking a certificate as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and know that it will enhance what I can contribute to the schools I work at in the future.  My experience at the U of M has been great so far. I have learned a lot about the role of a school psychologist and how these roles can change from school to school and state to state. I am looking forward to completing more practicum in the schools this year as well as the courses I have yet to take.

School Psychology Student Organization

SPSO