Le Knight – President

lknight@susd.org

My name is Le Knight and I am I am honored to be serving as the current president of the Arizona Association of School Psychologists. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in special education at the University of Northern Colorado I moved to Arizona and was employed as a special education teacher in a private placement for students with disabilities. Following a year of teaching, I was hired as a behavior interventionist for Osborn School District. I subsequently completed graduate school at Arizona State University and became certified as a school psychologist. I was in the initial cadre of school psychologists to be nationally certified by the National Association of School Psychologists.

This year I am looking forward to promotion of the NASP Practice Model as the accepted best practice model of service delivery for Arizona school psychologists. Organizationally, it is our intent to promote the implementation of the model and to press for state adoption of this comprehensive system of early intervention services.

At a time when Arizona schools are facing unparalleled cuts with already inadequate funding and increasing numbers of students with disabilities, we are often focused on children’s deficits, disabilities and problems. I believe it is more important than ever to celebrate our students’ diversity, and to renew our commitment to building academic, social and emotional competence, resilience, and a sense of community for all students of Arizona. I want to thank you for your continued support of our organization, and most importantly, your dedication to the children of Arizona.

Ron Glazier – President Elect

rondo2004@msn.com

I am very excited to be serving and participating in AASP as the President Elect! It took me about 10 years to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up; however, I have finally found my passion…..no, not being President of AASP…School Psychology!

After receiving my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northern Arizona University, I installed telecommunications equipment, was a case manager for (what was then known as) ComCare and then sold real estate in the valley for five years. After these unfulfilling careers I obtained my teaching certificate in elementary education and was subsequently accepted to the Doctoral Program in School Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado.

During the 2007-2008 school year I completed my internship in the Gilbert Public Schools and was subsequently employed there for the following two years. My current position is with the Glendale Elementary School District. I am looking forward to this new career challenge, to learning more about the field of school psychology, and to becoming more involved in our wonderful profession at the national level with NASP, as well as at the state level with AASP. There are so many wonderful professionals involved with this organization from the member level to those in leadership positions, so, if you’re not a member, what are you waiting for? Come join us!

If you have any questions about participating in AASP, please don’t hesitate to contact me at: rondo2004@msn.com

Jane Ahler – Past President

Jane.Ahler@gilbertschools.net

Elizabeth Danielson, Ph.D. – Treasurer

ekdaniel@mpsaz.org

I have been AASP treasurer and a member of the association's Executive Board and Leadership Team since 2008. My specific job within the association, of course, is to work with the board to develop and oversee its budget. My goal is to assure that the money we collect from members and conference attendees is well-spent and reflects member priorities. I have prior work experience in developing and managing budgets as a university administrator. My initial college major was math, and I seem to gravitate to activities that allow me to work with numbers. My dissertation concerned mathematical problem solving, I loved teaching statistics courses, and I have served as treasurer for the Minnesota Society of School Psychologists and for several nonprofit boards.

I began my school psychology career in Colorado where I earned a Ph.D. in educational and cognitive psychology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. After spending nearly 20 years in Minnesota higher education as a school psychology professor and a university administrator, I returned to my school psychologist (and Arizona) roots and worked for many years at two Mesa elementary schools. Currently I am the Coordinator of Psychological Services for Mesa and as such supervise the work of the district’s 50-plus school psychologists.

I have held leadership positions in several state and national school psychology associations: secretary of the Colorado association, treasurer and then president of the Minnesota association, president of the North Dakota association, ND state delegate and West Central regional director for NASP, and member of the inaugural NCSP board. Prior to being elected treasurer, I was membership chairperson for AASP. In 2008 I received the AASP Keith Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award.

Matthew Moix – Secretary

matthew.moix@gilbertschools.net

I was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas and remained there through high school. I attended Arkansas State University where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. After graduating in 1995, I enrolled at The University of Memphis, where I earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in School Psychology. After interning in Nebraska with the Omaha Public Schools, I moved to Arizona, and took a job with the Gilbert Unified School District, where I am currently employed.

I am active in leadership within the profession, serving on the Executive Board of the Arizona Association of School Psychologists. I am a Past President of the Association, and have served numerous other roles, including Secretary, my current position. I enjoy my current job as School Psychologist at Gilbert High School. On a personal note, I am happily married to Lori, my wife of 14 years, and we have two children. We enjoy traveling as a family, and I spend a lot of my free time running and training for marathons.

Eva Prince – NASP Delegate

Shannon Blair – Central Region

sblair19@cox.net

I am thrilled to be in my second term as a Central Regional Director. I look forward to organizing another annual Central Region Conference and social gathering for networking opportunities with colleagues. As Central Regional Director I will again work to increase AASP membership and promote the role of the School Psychologist. I continue to enjoy serving on the AASP Board and being part of AASP committees and conference activities.

My husband and I have called Arizona home for over 14 years. We moved here from Spokane Washington after I graduated from Eastern Washington University with my Master’s Degree in School Psychology. I am originally from St. Peter Minnesota. I have worked for Scottsdale Unified School District for over 14 years. During my years in SUSD, I have continued to grow and learn through diverse school experiences and continued education. I have worked in the Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Alternative School settings. I currently split my time between two Elementary Schools. My specialty has been focused around teaching social skills to students with social and emotional disabilities through social problem solving, team building and structured skills activities. I have been a part of our district RTI Team and received RTI training from the Department of Education. I am also a trainer of trainers for the FRIENDS Playground Program to foster social relationships in early network development for students with Autism and other social learning challenges. In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga, golfing and spending time in the beautiful Arizona weather with family and friends.

Amanda Marks – Central Region

roxy2626@sbcglobal.net

Hello AASP members. I am pleased to be sharing the responsibililty of Central Regional Direcor with Shannon Blair. Together, we hope to assist in the planning of the regional and state conferences in order to promote professional development among school psychologists.

Kathy Bohan – Northern Region

Kellli Smart – Northern Region

Professionally, I have worked for Humboldt Unified School District since 2000. My professional organization memberships include National Association of School Psychologists, Arizona Association of School Psychologists and American Psychological Association. I had the opportunity to attend the Autism Spectrum Disorder Trainings during 2004-2005 and have been able to apply what I learned while serving as a member of our Autism evaluation team. During the 2009-2010 school year I attended the Assistive Technology: Tech for Learning Series put on by ADE. It has been a pleasure bringing that knowledge back to my district and building on our Assistive Technology Department. My goal as the Northern Region director will be to assist in increasing opportunities for communication and collaboration among school psychologists.

On a personal note, I was raised in Montana and spent 13 years working as a nanny in New York City. I began my undergraduate education at Hunter College and eventually graduated from Montana State University. Upon completing the School Psychology program at Northern Arizona University, I moved to Dewey, Arizona where, I currently reside with my husband and our dog, Roxy. Some of my favorite activities include yoga, quilting, knitting, cooking, reading, music festivals, and my new found passion, hiking the Grand Canyon.

Sarah Gaines – Southern Region

sgaines@asdb.state.az.us

I received my Masters in Developmental Psychology in 2006 and my Specialist’s Degree in Psychology in 2008 from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. After completing my internship with the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) in Tucson, AZ, I joined the ASDB team as a full-time School Psychologist for ASDB. I am currently working part-time towards a Ph.D. in Special Education with a Learning Disabilities focus from the University of Arizona.

One of my goals as one of the Southern Regional Directors is to encourage the development of collaborative relationships among Arizona’s School Psychologists. I would also like to work on creating networks to help those of us who are new to the field to find support from mentors. I truly believe that one of our most valuable resources in this ever-changing field is the information and individual expertise we can share with each other.

Dawn Polycn – Southern Region

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology as well as an Ed.S. degree in School Psychology from the University of Arizona. Currently I am working on completing my Ph.D. in School Psychology through the University of Arizona. I have also completed the coursework to become a certified Behavior Support Specialist through the Arizona Behavior Initiative program and enjoy working with our students who have emotional disabilities and behavior disorders. I currently work at Cross Middle School and Harelson Elementary School as a full-time school psychologist. My role as a Southern Regional Director has allowed me to collaborate with school psychologists throughout the state and bring new and different ideas back to my colleagues within my own school district.

Jules Ohrin-Greipp – Western Region

I have been a certified school psychologist for over 30 years. After graduating from Temple University College of Education in Philadelphia with my certification in 1977, I worked in Pennsylvania and New Jersey schools for the next ten years. In addition, I have had contract work for sheltered workshops and mental health centers. These positions have provided the ideal combination of roles. Conducting evaluations, counseling, suicide intervention, parent workshops, in-service presentations, and teacher consultation have been a part of my professional experience. In 1989 I received my NCSP certificate; and received intensive training in play therapy, Sandtray Therapy, group therapy in locations across the country. I have held certificates in School Psychology from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont and New Hampshire. Since relocating to the Southwest, I added certifications for Arizona and California, and maintained my certification for Pennsylvania. I have been in Yuma for five years and am employed by the Yuma Unified High School District. While in New Hampshire, I wrote the first state association website for NHASP, and gave several “Internet 101” workshops. These next couple of years will be very challenging. We have concerns from within and from without. Districts are finding ways of cutting expenses – which may involve fewer psychologists working in schools. Also, the very title we use is being threatened. I hope to get my region involved in being proactive in this process. I am also hopeful to have a few workshops to unite the Western Region, and at least one introductory meeting for all the schools psychologists in this region.

Daniel Farrell – Western Region

DFarrell@peoriaud.k12.az.us

Claudia Weiss – Professional Development Committee

cweiss@aguafria.org

My name is Claudia Weiss and I am the Chairperson of the Professional Development Committee for the Arizona Association of School Psychologists. AASP obtained its status as a NASP CPD provider during my tenure as President in 2007.

I earned my specialist degree in School Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. I have been in Arizona since 2003 and I’m currently employed by the Agua Fria Union High School District. When I am not working (for AASP or otherwise) I enjoy hiking, reading, and traveling (especially during the summer!).

Kathleen Rahn – Child & Family Advocacy Committee

Rick Dwyer – Communications Committee

rick.dwyer@susd.org

Le Knight – Leadership Committee

lknight@susd.org

Teresa Acuna – Membership Committee

Judy Crosby – Professional Standards Committee

judy.crosby@gmail.com