KEATLEY AND WARDEN GRADUATE STUDIES AWARDS GRANTED

The OSPA Paul Warden & Mary Jo Keatley Graduate Studies Awards were established in 1998 to recognize and provide financial support to two students in school psychology training programs in the state of Oklahoma. These awards were developed in response to our professional commitment to encourage promising students to complete a school psychology program. Monetary awards are presented annually in the amount of $500 to the two selected students interested in pursuing a degree or certification in School Psychology. OSPA membership and previous psychometry certification is a primary prerequisite for consideration for the award. Recipients of the awards will be acknowledged at the annual OSPA spring conference, April 23, 1999, at the Edmond Ramada Inn.

Upon recommendation to the OSPA Executive Board from the Awards, Honors, & Scholarship Committee chaired by Jean Benson, the follow recipients were selected.

Amy Wylie Gardner awarded the Paul Warden Graduate Studies Award. She is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists and the Oklahoma School Psychological Association. At the present time Amy is completing the requirements for certification as a school psychometrist (to be completed Spring, 1999) and school psychologist at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. She earned a masters degree in 1987 in educational psychology at the University of Michigan. After graduation, she was hired as a full-time school psychologist and served in K-12 schools in the Livonia Public Schools. During the summer of 1988, her family relocated to Norman, OK. Since that time she has served as an adjunct instructor in special education and a graduate student research assistant at the University of Oklahoma, as well as a substitute teacher for the Norman Public Schools. In 1995 she returned to school to pursue Oklahoma certification in psychometry and school psychology. Much of her previous graduate work was applicable to the certification program, but the differences in state regulations required her to take supplementary courses. Additionally, she is retaking the testing courses in order to update her skills.

Special areas of interest include working with preschool at-risk children and as well as transition issues. She believes that it is critical for family involvement during those two crucial time in the school career of a student--early intervention and transition planning following graduation. The school psychologist has the opportunity to act as an advocate for the needs of the child and address how those needs may be able to be met by the school system. The school psychologist, as a concerned professional, may be able to provide encouragement to parents and other family members to maintain or increase involvement.

Tracy L. Fenton awarded the Mary Joe Keatley Graduate Studies Award. She is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists, Oklahoma School Psychological Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Learning Disabilities Association, National Education Association and Oklahoma Education Association. Tracy is currently pursuing certification in school psychology at Northeastern State University. She previously completed coursework at this institution which lead to certification in special education K-12 (1985-87), elementary/secondary counseling (1991-92) and psychometry (1989). Tracy is also listed on the OSDE Traumatic Brain Injury Registry. Her future goals are to be admitted into a doctoral program.

She earned a masters degree in 1987 in special education at the Northeastern State University. From 1985 to the present time Tracy has been teacher of students with learning disabilities at Hilldale Middle School, Muskogee, OK, where she was selected Teacher of the Year in 1993. She has presented workshops to the teachers at Hilldale School and to the local chapter of CH.A.D.D. Activities within her school range from Supervisor of the Student Council to Staff Development Chair. She has also participated special events at the Indian Capitol Vo-Tech and served as a representative from Hilldale on the North Central Evaluation Team.

Special areas of interest include growing discipline problems combined with the escalating violence and drug abuse in our schools. She believes there is a strong need for a school psychologist in each district. The school psychologist has the mandate to be proactive in assisting in the development of positive behavior interventions and strategies, such as providing consultation services to address learning and behavioral needs of all children through effective intervention and prevention programs. She also sees the need to involve parents to help develop strategies and programs with school personnel to address safety in the school and a drug-free environment. She also advocates for collaboration and cooperation among educators, law enforcement officers, community services, health care providers and other youth since making schools safe requires a total community effort.

OSPA is pleased to make our contribution to the educational goals of these recipients for the Graduate Studies Award for 1999. We wish them well in their pursuit of goals to better serve the mental health and academic needs of students in the schools of Oklahoma.

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