Awards

Each year the Wisconsin School Psychologist Association (WSPA) selects Wisconsin’s School Psychologist of the Year. School administrators are invited to nominate school psychologists for this honor. The individual who is chosen to receive the state award is honored at the Spring Convention awards luncheon. If your nominee is chosen as the state winner, they will be Wisconsin’s nominee for the National School Psychologist of the Year.

 

Practicing school psychologists who spend the majority of their time providing direct services to students, teachers, and parents in school settings are eligible to be nominated. Trainers, researchers, or administrators are not eligible for this award. 

 

To nominate a school psychologist, complete the nomination form with your letter of recommendation. Three additional letters of recommendation from educators familiar with the school psychologist’s work are also required for a total of four letters. Letters of recommendation (three pages maximum) should state why the candidate should be considered for this award. Include examples in any of the following areas: data based decision making; consultation and collaboration; student diversity; development of cognitive, academic, social, and life skills; knowledge of schools and systems; prevention, crisis intervention and mental health; home, school and community collaboration; performs job in an exemplary manner; earns respect of others; has professional memberships and leadership.

 

Please inform the candidate that you are nominating them. The candidate must submit a detailed resume and a candidate statement. In the candidate statement, the nominee should describe, in three pages or less, a pressing issue facing the profession of school psychology and how they think the issue should be addressed. 

 

Completed nomination packets will include the Candidate/Nominator Information sheet, four Letters of Recommendation, Resume, and the Candidate Statement. The Nominee must be a full member of WSPA to be considered. Nominations must be submitted by January 10, 2025 to Ann Reyes, WSPA Recognition and Scholarship Committee Chair, WSPA.awards.recognition@gmail.com  

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 asked to write an article for the WSPA newsletter or to present their dissertation at a subsequent WSPA convention.

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School Psychology faculty of each UW-system doctoral programs in school psychology may nominate one candidate for the outstanding research award.

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Nominations require:

1. A copy of the nominee’s vita

2. A letter of support from at least one member of the dissertation committee

3. A copy of the dissertation abstract.

 

Nominations must be submitted to Christine Neddenriep, WSPA Professional Preparation and Training Chair, neddenrc@uww.edu

The Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to recognize those unique individuals who deserve special attention by virtue of their broad and significant contributions to the welfare of children and the field of school psychology in a number of areas (i.e. professional practice, research, state, regional and national leadership, training and supervision, community service, etc). 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). Candidates must be current members of WSPA who are school psychology practitioners, trainers, supervisors, administrators, state consultants, or researchers and have made major local, state, and national contributions with 25 years or more of service to the field of school psychology.  Possession of the NCSP is desirable, but not required. Candidates may be retired. The award may be presented posthumously.

 

Selection Criteria 

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

2. 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.

 

Nominations require:

1.     Complete Nominator & Candidate Information Sheet. 

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 above.

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.

 

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). The award will be presented at the spring convention luncheon.

 

Nominations must be submitted by January 10, 2025 to Ann Reyes, WSPA Recognition and Scholarship Committee Chair, WSPA.awards.recognition@gmail.com

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.  School psychologists who are current members of WSPA may nominate one candidate annually (WSPA fiscal year July-June).  The nominator is responsible for submitting the completed nomination packet.  Previously submitted nominations may be resubmitted with updated information. Candidates must have contributed in meaningful ways to advocating for education, children and youth.  Advocacy efforts and leadership must be documentable and must be consistent with WSPA’s mission, goals, and ethical practices.  Nominees should demonstrate advocacy efforts/contributions that have:

• promoted positive and significant change

• addressed children’s needs

• improved the education of children with disabilities and/or all children

• improved services for children’s mental health

• served children by supporting the profession of school psychology

• demonstrated leadership and promoted legislation or judicial actions that have benefited children in Wisconsin

 

A committee consisting of the WSPA legislative chair, the WSPA awards and recognition chair, and a member of the WSPA executive committee will review materials submitted and select the annual award recipient. Nomination packets must contain a completed nomination form and a one page summary of why the candidate should be considered for this award.  Summary should include specific examples of the candidate’s significant contributions in at least one of the six criteria areas. Nominations may be made at any time throughout the year by submitting nomination forms to the WSPA legislative chair or the WSPA president.  The committee will review the materials as they are submitted and make an annual recommendation to be approved by the WSPA board at one of their regularly scheduled meetings. Nominations must be submitted by January 10, 2025 to Ann Reyes, WSPA Recognition and Scholarship Committee Chair, WSPA.awards.recognition@gmail.com

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 the recommendation, citing your reasons for nominating this individual for the WSPA Special Award.  Nominations must be submitted by January 10, 2025 to Ann Reyes, WSPA Recognition and Scholarship Committee Chair, WSPA.awards.recognition@gmail.com