Award Programs

WSPA Student Scholarships

WSPA is offering three scholarships to WSPA student members enrolled in one of the Wisconsin school psychology training programs:

The Allard Award

($1000.00 and a framed certificate) will be presented to a graduate (non-doctoral) student enrolled in a university school psychology training program.

Qualifications:

1. The nominator and the graduate student need to be current members of the Wisconsin School Psychologists Association.
2. The recipient must be in good standing and actively pursuing a Master’s Degree leading to certification as an entry level School Psychologist.
3. The recipient must be nominated by a professor or instructor from a University of Wisconsin System school psychology training program.
4. Priority will be given to applicants agreeing to practice in the state of Wisconsin for a period of not less than one academic year after internship.

Nomination packets for the award require the following:

1. Completed Candidate Information form.
2. A two-page nomination statement completed by the nominator from the university training program. The nomination statement needs to address the nominee’s academic achievement, their skills in conducting research, and their skills in relating with peers, instructors, and professionals.
3. The nominee needs to author a candidate statement which addresses his or her professional goals, commitment to the discipline of school psychology, and involvement in WSPA.
4. Current Resume.

The selection of the recipients will be decided by the Recognition and Scholarships Committee. The nominator and/or university professor will be asked to present the certificate and monetary award at the spring convention to the student selected to receive this award.

Completed nomination packets need to be submitted to the committee by January 15, 2010.

Submit completed nomination packets to: Veronica Milling, WSPA Recognition and Scholarships Chair, 3 N. Jackson Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121

The WSPA Minority Scholarship Award

($1,000.00 and a framed certificate) is offered to encourage and support the growth of minority representation in professional school psychology.

Qualifications:

1. Recipient must be a WSPA student member enrolled in good standing in one of the Wisconsin school psychology programs at both the time of application and award presentation. Newly admitted students are eligible and encouraged. Interns and first-year psychologists are ineligible. A single recipient may receive the award more than once.
2. Recipient must be recognized by the university as having minority status in any of the following groups: Southeast Asian, African American, Native American, and Hispanic.
3. Recipient must be nominated by the individual School Psychology Program Director or Coordinator with a one-page Letter of Nomination. It is the responsibility of the Director or Coordinator to adhere to the spirit of this award and restrict their nominees to those deserving students with the greatest financial needs.
4. Recipient must agree to proceed directly to certification. Priority will be given to applicants agreeing to practice in the state of Wisconsin for a period of not less than one academic year as a level 62 School Psychologist.

Nomination packets require the following:

1. Completed Candidate Information form.
2. A one-page Letter of Nomination submitted by the university Program Director or Coordinator detailing the individual’s academic record, honors, and accomplishments. Undergraduate record and accomplishments may be referenced and will be considered.
3. A one-page Letter of Application by the candidate addressing his or her record of personal commitment to children, professional goals, and involvement in WSPA.
4. One Letter of Support from university faculty or other individuals.
5. Current Resume.

The selection of the recipient will be decided by the Recognition and Scholarships Committee. The monetary award and certificate will be presented at the Spring Convention. Completed nomination packets need to be submitted to the committee by January 15, 2010.

Submit completed nomination packets to: Veronica Milling, WSPA Recognition and Scholarships Chair, 3 N. Jackson Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121

The Bernice Krolasik Memorial Scholarship

The Bernice Krolasik Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a non-traditional age WSPA student member currently enrolled in a graduate (non-doctoral) Wisconsin school psychology training program leading to certification. This scholarship is funded by the Krolasik family in memory of Bernice and her years of dedication to the field of school psychology and commitment to the welfare of children. The award ($1,500.00 and a framed certificate) will be presented at the Spring Convention.

Qualifications:

1. Recipient must be a student WSPA member enrolled in one of the Wisconsin school psychology programs at both the time of application and award presentation. The student must be in good standing and actively pursuing a Master’s Degree or Specialist Degree leading to certification as a level 62 School Psychologist. Newly admitted students are eligible and encouraged. Interns on full first year school psychologist’s salary are ineligible.
2. Student must be a non-traditional aged student (student may have taken some time off of school prior to applying to graduate school or be supporting a family, etc.)
3. Preference will be given to those candidates that have future work location goals in the state of Wisconsin.

Nomination packets require the following:

1. Completed Candidate Information form.
2. The candidate needs to author a candidate statement which addresses his or her professional goals, commitment to the discipline of school psychology, experience with students and schools, commitment to the welfare of children, and involvement in WSPA. Candidate must also include statement as to how they are a non-traditional age student and future work location goals.
3. Letter of recommendation from university trainer or professor needs to address the candidate’s academic achievement, their contribution to children (i.e. volunteer work, other activities, in practicum) and their skills in relating with peers, instructors, and professionals.
4. A current resume.

The selection of the recipient will be decided by the Awards and Scholarships Committee. The monetary award and certificate will be presented at the spring convention. Completed nomination packets need to be submitted to the committee by January 15, 2010.

The deadline for nominations is January 15, 2010.

Submit completed nomination packets to: Veronica Milling, WSPA Recognition and Scholarships Chair, 3 N. Jackson Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121

WSPA Awards

School Psychologist of the Year

This award recognizes excellence in the provision of school psychological services by a field-based practitioner.  Each year WSPA solicits administrators in all Wisconsin school districts for nominations for the WSPA School Psychologist of the Year award.  WSPA would also like to encourage WSPA members to nominate colleagues deserving of this honor.  If you know of a practicing school psychologist who is a member of WSPA that you think should be a candidate for the WSPA School Psychologist of the Year, please request a nomination packet by contacting Veronica Milling. The completed packet requires the nomination form, the nominee to answer an essay, the nominees current resume, and four one page letters of recommendation. Materials in the completed packet must be single sided. Packets may be sent via us postal service or email. Please contact the chair if you would like a packet sent to you.

Completed packets must be submitted by January 15, 2010.

WSPA School Psychologist of the Year Nomination Form

WSPA Special Award

The WSPA Special Award is intended for a person who has made a significant contribution to the profession of school psychology and/or the welfare of children. This might be a legislator, school administrator, teacher, parent, or some other person who has made a significant contribution. School psychologists who are currently employed or retired are not eligible for this award.

To nominate someone, submit the completed WSPA Special Award Nomination Form along with a 2-3 page letter of recommendation, citing your reasons for nominating this individual for the WSPA Special Award. Nominations must be submitted by January 15, 2010.

WSPA Special Award Nomination Form

WSPA Friend of Children Award

WSPA members are invited to submit nominations to identify and recognize policy makers, elected officials and public servants who have made a significant contribution to children, education, children’s mental health, and/or the field of school psychology.  An award is presented annually and nominations are accepted throughout the year.

Award Description

WSPA Research Grant

In an effort to support the ongoing research of its members in the discipline of school psychology, the Wisconsin School Psychologist Association has allocated $1000.00 to be used by nominated/selected members for their projects.  All members who are currently conducting research in the field are invited to apply for this money.  Deadline is January 15, 2010.

Guidelines for Research Grant Application

WSPA Outstanding Dissertation Award

This award is presented to a Ph.D. student in school psychology or school psychologist who has completed a dissertation that merits special recognition and has the potential to contribute to the science and practice of school psychology. Nominees must have successfully defended the dissertation within the 12 months prior to the award nomination due date. The award recipient will be invited to write an article for the WSPA newsletter or to present their dissertation at a subsequent WSPA convention. School Psychology faculty of each UW-system doctoral programs in school psychology may nominate one candidate for the outstanding research award. A copy of the nominee’s vita and a letter of support from at least one member of the dissertation committee should also be submitted for each candidate, along with a copy of the dissertation abstract.

Lifetime Achievement in School Psychology

A Distinguished Service Award

Purpose
To identify and recognize an outstanding school psychologist who has had major local and statewide impact on the field and who has dedicated his or her professional life to the welfare of children and the development and improvement of school psychology in a number of areas (i.e. professional practice, research, state, regional and national leadership, training and supervision, community service, etc).

Who Can Nominate
Nominations will be accepted from any WSPA member. The nominator is responsible for submitting all the materials. NOTE: Previously submitted nominations may be resubmitted with updated information (See Procedures Below).

Who is Eligible?
Practicing school psychologists who are WSPA members who work as practitioners, trainers, supervisors, state consultants, researchers, or administrators and have made major local and state contributions are eligible for this award. Possession of the NCSP is desirable, but not required. Candidates may be retired. The award may be presented posthumously.

Selection Criteria
At least 25 years of service in the field of school psychology.

Candidates will be evaluated in terms of significant statewide impact of their contributions to the field throughout their career in the following areas:

• Service to children, schools and families.
• Service through the administration or supervision of school psychological or related services.
• Service to the profession through local and state organizations dedicated to the development and implementation of school psychological services.
• Service to the profession through the development of school psychology training programs or through continuing professional development.
• Service to the profession through research and publication that contributes to the knowledge base of the field.

Procedure

1. Complete Nominator & Candidate Information Sheet. Nomination materials must be typed.
2. Complete a nomination statement. This 2-3 page letter of recommendation should refer to specific examples of outstanding contributions to the lives of children and the field of school psychology (i.e., program development; training and supervision; adherence to high professional standards; presentations at conferences; contributions to professional journals; organizational leadership; consultation skills; accessibility, and efforts to stay abreast of new developments in the field, state and national leadership).
3. Candidate’s Vita. For Posthumous Nominations ONLY: If a vita is not available please provide a written statement that addresses how the candidate meets the Selection Criteria described on the previous page.
4. Letters of Support: Up to four, one-page letters of support may be sent with the nomination statement. Each letter must be typed and signed by the author. These might be ONE page letters written by individuals knowledgeable (e.g., teachers, parents, students, colleagues, administrators, etc.) about the candidate’s capabilities.

Candidate and Nominator Information Form

The deadline for nominations is January 15, 2010.

Send documentation to Recognition and Awards Chair: Veronica Milling, WSPA Recognition and Scholarships Chair, 3 N. Jackson Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121

Selection and Notification
The Lifetime Achievement Award Selection Committee (past president, current president and president elect) or their appointees will review all nomination materials and determine the award recipient(s).

Award Presentation
To be presented at the fall or spring convention luncheon.