Taylor Gardner
Asheville
Summary
Knowledgeable school psychologist prepared to contribute to student success and well-being. Proven track record in conducting psycho-educational assessments and assisting in behavioral, academic, and social emotional intervention planning. Valued for collaborative approach and adaptability in dynamic environments, leveraging compassionate care and consultation skills to achieve positive outcomes for diverse children and families.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
School Psychologist
Loudoun County Public Schools
Ashburn, VA
07.2019 - Current
- Conducted comprehensive psychological assessments to identify student needs and inform intervention strategies.
- Collaborated with educators and parents to determine special education eligibility and develop individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities.
- Assisted in implementing school-wide programs promoting social-emotional learning and positive behavior reinforcement initiatives.
- Mentored new psychologists, including practicum students and interns, fostering professional growth and enhancing service delivery across the department.
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions focused primarily on coping skills for at risk groups.
- Conducted functional behavioral assessments to identify underlying causes of challenging behaviors and create effective behavior intervention plans accordingly.
- Assisted in crisis response efforts and provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Completed required documentation and comprehensive psychological reports for compliance and treatment planning.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to implement effective strategies for addressing students'' unique learning needs.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for continuous improvement.
- Promoted inclusivity within schools by collaborating with administrators to develop policies that foster diversity and cultural competence among staff members.
School Psychologist Intern
Roanoke City Public Schools
Roanoke, VA
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Completed comprehensive 1500-hour full-time internship within educational environment.
- Experience Gained: Psychoeducational assessment using cognitive, neuropsychological, and academic measures, rating scales, interviews and naturalistic observation.
- Engaged in psychoeducational report writing.
- Experience managing large student caseload, scheduling meetings and managing paperwork related to Special Education Process.
- Gained detailed knowledge of educational/school system process.
- Experience working with different populations including all age groups (PK-12th Grade) and students from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Gained experience with urban populations.
- Experience in systems level assessment and planning, behavioral and academic consultation and intervention, group and individual counseling.
Center for Assessment and Psychological Services (CAPS) Clinician
Radford University
Radford, VA
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Practicum Student (Spring 2017), Clinician (Fall 2017 to Spring 2018)
- Worked collaboratively on referred pediatric and adult cases in the clinic setting.
- Skills Practiced: Cognitive, academic and neuropsychological assessment and interpretation, rating scales, school observations and parent/ child interviewing.
- Psycho-educational report writing and oral feedback with families.
Lab Assistant
Child Emotions Lab at Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
01.2015 - 08.2016
- Played an active role in data collection and running experiments examining emotional development of school age children.
- Skill in coding human (specifically child) behavioral data as well as data analysis.
- Skills Attained: Coding and Data Analysis Research experience, SPSS experience.
Support Staff Employee
Child Development Center for Learning and Research, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
05.2014 - 08.2016
- Utilized developmentally appropriate practices with the Reggio Emilia curriculum in a preschool setting.
- Assisted in facilitating classroom transitions and investigations, wrote child portfolio pages, documentation and reflection of classroom investigations, and facilitated home-school partnerships by communicating with parents about events during the child’s day.
- Worked with children from varying cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Education
Ed. S. - School Psychology
Radford University
Radford, VA05-2019
M.S. - Psychology
Radford University
Radford, VA08-2017
B.S. - Psychology
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA05-2016
B.S. - Human Development
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA05-2016
High School -
Gate City High School
Gate City, VA05-2012
Skills
- Comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation and report writing
- Up to date in knowledge and administration of most major psychological/ neuropsychological/ and achievement batteries
- Licensed in Virginia, In process of North Carolina License
- Behavioral and Academic Intervention planning
- Systems level positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS)
- Group and individual counseling
- Functional behavior assessments (FBA) and Behavior intervention plans (BIP)
- Multicultural competence
- Case management and timeline compliance
- Knowledge of special education law
Timeline
School Psychologist
Loudoun County Public Schools
07.2019 - Current
School Psychologist Intern
Roanoke City Public Schools
08.2018 - 05.2019
Center for Assessment and Psychological Services (CAPS) Clinician
Radford University
08.2017 - 05.2018
Lab Assistant
Child Emotions Lab at Virginia Tech
01.2015 - 08.2016
Support Staff Employee
Child Development Center for Learning and Research, Virginia Tech
05.2014 - 08.2016
B.S. - Psychology
Virginia Tech
B.S. - Human Development
Virginia Tech
Ed. S. - School Psychology
Radford University
M.S. - Psychology
Radford University
High School -
Gate City High School
Skills And Competencies
- Extensive knowledge in SLD identification using Cattell-Horn-Carrol (CHC) theory/ patterns of strengths and weakness model
- Trained in administering: WISC-V, WAIS-V, WPPSI-IV, RIAS, DAS-II-NU, WJ-V-COG, KABC-II, KTEA-III, WIAT-III, WJ-V-ACH, WRAML-II, D-KEFS, NEPSY-II, TAPS, CTOPP-2, Jordan-3, TOC-2, BASC-3, CRS-III, BRIEF-2, ADOS-2, ADI-R, FAM, FAR, OWLS-2, XBAS
- Competent in: Group and individual counseling using CBT and Solution Focused Brief Counseling., Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, NASP PREPaRE trained
Honors-Awards-Activities
- Equity and Practicing Inclusion Committee (EPIC) Member (LCPS) 2020-present
- Virginia Academy of School Psychologists, 2016 to Present
- National Association of School Psychologists, 2016 to Present
- School Psychology Graduate Organization, Community Service/Social Chair, 2017-2019
- National Honor Society, 2010 to Present
- Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, 2014 to Present
- Virginia Tech Dean’s List, 2012-09-01 to 2015-05-01