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Fourteen Years of Hard
Rewarding Work

Written by Savannah Jenkins
Interviewed Josh Beattie

I had the opportunity to interview Josh Beattie

who has been working as a school psychologist in What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Idaho Falls for fourteen years and has been working at The most rewarding part of my job is being
the University, BYU-Idaho, for about three years now. able to see results with the kids I work with! One
hundred percent they make it worth it. For example,

What are your responsibilities as a school there was this one girl I was working with every single
psychologist? day. I had to do many things with her because she did
not have the desire/ability to be independent. One year

As a school psychologist in a small school dis- later and she is so much more independent. She started

trict, I have many responsibilities, but the main ones having the desire to do things on her own and be more

are to work with special education. Because I work similar to her peers. She still needs help, but she has

with special education, I do a lot of IQ, eligibility, made a tremendous amount of improvement this last

ADHD, and autism testing. I also work with children year.

who have behavior problems, and I am constantly

consulting with teachers and parents. What is your advice to those who are considering

to be a school psychologist?

What does a typical day look like for you? Be a doctor! Just kidding, but really you need

Of course, every day is different, but on a to know this is a hard job that does not pay a lot. I am

typical busy day I will do one or two IQ tests. Then, I sure everyone who goes into this career loves kids, but

might observe a kid in class, and I will score all the you have to realize you need to know how to work

tests and write a report about it. I also normally have with adults as well. I work with just as much if not a

an IEP meeting every day. little more adults than children every day. If you are

not flexible or have a hard time working with parents

In your opinion, what is the most challenging and teacher, you need to start learning how to work

aspect of your job? with them now, because it will make all the difference

Well, there are many challenging aspects to in your future.

my job. But contrary to common belief, it is not the

kids I work with that are the hardest part. It is working

with teacher who feel incapable or are not interested

in working with challenging children. It sometimes

makes me upset when I feel like they do not care and

are being selfish, but I always work with them respect-

fully. The way I work with difficult teachers is to

continue giving them advice, always be willing to step

in and help, show empathy to the teachers admitting

that it is challenging, and lastly, help them see the

small successes with the students we are working

with.

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