School Psychologist
Hi! I'd like to introduce myself. I am Michelle Palmer, Clearspring’s School Psychologist. I have been with Montgomery
County Public School since 1997, following my graduation from Gallaudet University. At Clearspring, I typically participate on
school teams to assist students having academic, social/emotional, or behavioral difficulties. I help staff develop academic or
behavior intervention plans, provide support with counseling and social skills development, and provide teachers and families
with information about how to support their students’ learning. Additionally, I participate in the process which helps identify
children who have educational disabilities which require more individualized programs of support based on their specific
needs.
I am generally at Clearspring on Mondays and Wednesdays. However, I am always available via email at
[email protected]. Please let me know if there are questions I can answer for you or if I can help your child be
more successful in school!
What do school psychologists do?
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Help children succeed academically, socially, and emotionally by
o Promoting student motivation & engagement
o Managing student & classroom behavior
o Collecting & interpreting student/classroom data; monitoring student progress
o Conducting psychological assessments
Collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning
environment for all students by
o Supporting social-emotional learning
o Implementing bullying prevention programs & promoting school-wide positive behavioral supports
o Promoting positive coping skills & resilience
o Reinforcing positive peer relationships, social problem solving, anger management, & conflict resolution
Apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially,
behaviorally, and emotionally by
o Providing individual & group counseling
o Assessing student emotional and behavioral needs
o Providing parents with resources & referrals to community services
o Providing crisis prevention & intervention services
Partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive
learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community by
o Helping families understand their child’s learning and mental health needs
o Assisting in navigating special education processes
o Connecting families with community service providers when necessary
o Helping effectively engage families with teachers and other school staff
o Enhancing staff understanding and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds
General Information
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Back-to-School Transitions: Tips for Parents
Homework: A Guide for Parents
How do I motivate my child to learn?
How do I support my child’s emotional development?
Divorce: A Parents' Guide for Supporting Children
Keeping Children Safe on the Internet: Guidelines for Parents
ADHD: Classroom Interventions
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding and Responding to Bullying: The Bully Busters Approach
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Intervention Options for Parents and Educators
Depression in Young Children: Information for Parents & Educators
Teaching Young Children Self-Control Skills: Information for Parents & Educators
Other Resources
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National Association of School Psychologists
The National Institute of Mental Health
Maryland State Department of Education
Montgomery County Child & Adolescent Mental Health
Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health