Through ongoing reflection and self-assessment, I have identified two key areas for further improvement, specifically in family, school, and community collaboration (NASP Domain 7) and legal, ethical, and professional practices (NASP Domain 10).
Engaging with Parents and Broader Ethical Considerations
The first area I aim to develop is effectively communicating with parents and administrators while gaining a better understanding of advanced ethical considerations that exceed the traditional scope of our ethics courses. In my experience, a common challenge I may face is when a parent adds concerns about the child that go beyond the scope of the initial referral problem, often during the ongoing process of assessment. These concerns might necessitate additional follow-up, unexpectedly broadening the initial assessment concerns, which could place me in a delicate situation if not managed carefully.
I recognize that this falls at the intersection of the domain of Family, School, and Community Collaboration (Domain 7) and the Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practices (Domain 10). Therefore, as I prepare to begin my internship, I am seeking guidance to better navigate real-life scenarios and resolve any ethical dilemmas that may surface. I am eager to enhance my ability to adapt to unique circumstances and uphold professional ethics, even in scenarios not clearly defined in our courses.
Communicating Sensitive News to Parents
Another potential area for my growth lies in managing the delicate balance of delivering difficult news to parents. This is especially relevant when the information might be hard for them to bear. Although our training has provided us with an understanding of how to handle such dilemmas, practical application and associated challenges can significantly differ from theoretical knowledge. Nevertheless, this is another area where experience, hopefully gained throughout the internship, will equip me with the necessary skills to manage these delicate situations with care.
This aspect also falls at the intersection of Family, School, and Community Collaboration (Domain 7) and the Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practices (Domain 10). I believe that the deepest understanding of these issues comes from personally encountering such ethical dilemmas. Therefore, every communication with parents during such sensitive moments needs careful thought, to ensure we do not overstep and begin to operate beyond the realm of psychoeducational assessment.
The cases we will encounter are multifaceted, much like the complexity of human beings, and extend beyond the narrower scope that pre-service training can offer without context. Therefore, skillfully navigating these situations requires substantial guidance from our internship supervisors and a thorough assessment of our boundaries, not only with parents but with other professionals and school administrators alike.
I believe these two areas form the foundation of my professional growth objectives. My goal is to extend my learning beyond theoretical understanding, mastering practical application, and effectively navigating real-life dilemmas. With focused effort and guided experience, I am committed to growing in these areas to ultimately better serve the students and families who rely on our expertise.
S.M.A.R.T. Goals – short and long term
In order to further my professional growth in a targeted and effective manner, I have devised a set of SMART goals. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, providing a comprehensive and detailed framework for goal setting. Let’s explore how these SMART principles apply to my identified areas for growth.
Short-term Goals (Summer-Fall 2023)
- Engaging with Parents and Broader Ethical Considerations: To address this area, my short-term plan includes undertaking a dedicated reading list that focuses on effective communication techniques with parents and administrators in the context of school psychology. I will explore recent studies and articles, such as “Ten Common Ethical and Legal Challenges in School Psychology” by Jacob and Hartshorne (2007). Furthermore, start researching relevant webinars and professional development sessions offered by NASP and other accredited bodies, focusing on handling complex ethical considerations and dilemmas, in preparation for my internship (between mid-August and September 2023).
- Communicating Sensitive News to Parents: For this area, I will engage in role-play exercises with my peers and mentors to practice delivering difficult news. In addition, I will study resources like “Delivering and Receiving Bad News: What School Psychologists Need to Know” by Frost and colleagues (2010). The goal is to understand and incorporate empathetic, clear, and tactful communication techniques, particularly in sensitive situations.
Long-term Goals (Internship, Early Career)
- Engaging with Parents and Broader Ethical Considerations: In the long term, during my internship, I will seek first-hand experience and on-the-spot guidance in communicating with parents and administrators. I also plan to engage with real-life ethical dilemmas under the supervision of my mentors to solidify my understanding and handling of such situations. In my early career, I will aim for continual learning and reflective practice to maintain ethical conduct and professionalism.
- Communicating Sensitive News to Parents: During my internship, I plan to receive direct, guided experience in communicating sensitive news to parents. This will enable me to apply and fine-tune the skills I learned in theory. In the early stages of my career, I will focus on consolidating these skills and gathering feedback to improve my approach, ensuring it remains both effective and empathetic.
By focusing on these tasks and activities, I hope to significantly develop my skills in these targeted areas and thus contribute more effectively to my professional practice as a school psychologist.
The following explains how I will meet each aspect of the S.M.A.R.T framework in a table format summary of the explanation above:
| S.M.A.R.T Criteria | First Goal: Engaging with Parents and Broader Ethical Considerations | Second Goal: Communicating Sensitive News to Parents |
|---|---|---|
| Specific | My first goal specifically focuses on improving communication techniques with parents and administrators and better understanding complex ethical dilemmas in school psychology. | My second goal is specifically about improving skills in delivering difficult news to parents, particularly in sensitive situations. |
| Measurable | I will measure my progress through completing the readings associated with this goal, participating in webinars, and applying knowledge during my internship. | I will measure my progress through role-play exercises to start, studying relevant resources, and actual experience during the internship. |
| Achievable | My first goal is achievable through dedicated reading, participation in professional development sessions when available, and practical experience during the internship. | My second goal is achievable through practice, learning from specific resources, and applying skills during the internship. |
| Relevant | My first goal is relevant to my role as a school psychologist, enhancing my ability to collaborate effectively with families, schools, and communities. | My second goal is highly relevant, as delivering difficult news is a common requirement in my role as a school psychologist. |
| Time-bound | My goal is time-bound with a specific plan for the summer-fall of 2023, internship, and early career stages. | My goal has a timeline, with activities planned for the short term (summer-fall 2023) and long term (internship and early career). |
(c) Besart Hysniu 2025 