Awards Committee

NCSPA Practitioner Of The Year Award

Nominate an exemplary school psychologist! 

The Purpose: NCSPA seeks to recognize excellence in school psychological services by honoring a school psychologist who exemplifies the highest level of professionalism in their daily practice.

Criteria #1. Provides comprehensive school psychological services consistent with the NASP Guidelines for the Provision of School Psychological Services as summarized below:

Data-Based Decision-Making and Accountability:
Uses a decision-making process in collaboration with other team members to
(a) identify academic and behavior problems,
(b)collect and analyze information to understand the problems,
(c)make decisions about service delivery, and
(d) evaluate the outcomes of decisions.

Consultation and Collaboration:
Has the ability to listen well, participate in discussions, convey information, and work together with others in planning and decision-making processes at an individual, group, and systems level.

Development of Cognitive/Academic Skills
In collaboration with others, develops appropriate cognitive and academic goals for students; implements interventions to achieve these goals and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Uses assessment and empirically supported knowledge to develop appropriate instructional strategies, curriculum and educational interventions.

Development of Socialization and Life Skills:
In collaboration with others, develops appropriate behavioral, affective, adaptive or social goals for students, facilitates the implementation of programs/interventions to achieve these goals and monitors progress towards these goals.

Respect for Human Diversity:
Has the sensitivity, knowledge, and skills to work with individuals and groups with a diverse range of strengths and needs from a variety of racial, cultural, ethnic, experiential and linguistic backgrounds.

Knowledge of School and Systems Organization, Policy Development, and Climate:
Participates in the development of policies and procedures that advocates for: effective programs and services, safe and violence free environments, effective educational services, and availability of health and mental health services for students and families

Prevention, Crisis Intervention, and Mental Health:
Implements and evaluates prevention and intervention programs for severe learning and behavioral problems. collaborates with other health care professionals to promote wellness

Provides mental health support during and after crises.

Home/School/ Community Collaboration
Promotes partnerships among parents, educators, and the community.
Designs and implements, evaluates programs to promote school-family partnerships for the purpose of enhancing academic and behavioral goals for students.
Provides support for parents during school functions, e.g., IEP meetings,
Helps create linkages between school, families, and community agencies
Works with parent organizations to promote public policy that empowers parents

Criteria #2. Performs job in an exemplary manner as evidenced by:
Innovation and creativity
Outcomes and results

Criteria #3. Earns respect of fellow workers, students, and parents as evidenced by:
Community service awards
Awards for professional accomplishments
Distinguished service
Positions of leadership

Criteria #4. Is well informed about, and exemplifies, professional standards, ethics and current issues as evidenced by:
Membership in NCSPA and NASP, APA, or other professional associations. 

Nomination and Selection Process:
Nominees should complete the Nominee Background/Fact Sheet and provide a comprehensive description of their professional and personal background addressing the above criteria. This information is to be limited to two pages. Nominees may provide three letters of reference in support of their nomination. The deadline for nominations is June 1st each year. Send nominations to the Chair of the Awards Committee.

The Chair of the Awards Committee will verify that the person being nominated meets the eligibility criteria and then send electronic copies of the nomination material to each member of the committee.  This nomination material will have all identifying information removed so that the selection process is confidential.  A rating form will be provided to each committee member to complete on each of the candidates presented.  These rating forms will be completed and returned to the Chair of the Awards Committee.   The chair will tally the ratings and identify the person who has been selected.  The winner will be notified first and then the other nominees will be sent a letter regarding the fact that they were not selected.  The announcement regarding the winner will be made at the Fall Conference. 

Nominations for the POY Award are maintained in a pool that remains active for two years after the year of first nomination. Committee chairs will be responsible for contacting nominees to update nominations on a yearly basis for the given period of time.