91´ÎÔª

Alumni Employment

The Specialist in School Psychology students find positions across the country:

• Great Falls Public Schools, Great Falls, MT
• Bozeman Public Schools, Bozeman, MT
• Prickly Pear Education Cooperative, East Helena, MT
• Davis School District, Salt Lake City, UT
• Granite School District, Salt Lake City, UT
• Independent School District #318, Grand Rapids, MN
• Anaconda School District, Anaconda, MT
• Missoula County Public Schools, Missoula, MT
• Missoula Area Educational Cooperative, Missoula, MT
• Kenai Penisula Borough School District
• Hamilton School District

Her Career in School Psychology

Ms. Hudson became a school psychologist because it offered her the opportunity to directly and positively impact the lives of children and adolescents by addressing their learning, behavioral, and mental health needs within a school setting. School psychology allows her to contribute to the academic success and overall well-being of students while also working closely with parents and teachers, essentially making a meaningful difference in young people's lives.

Ms. Hudson currently works as the Miles City Unified School District School Psychologist, as well as servicing homeschool and private school students. She completes special education evaluations and collaborates with service providers to meet each student's individual needs. She works closely with the special education and general education teachers to develop and implement behavior intervention plans. Additionally, she is the district's English Language Learner testing coordinator. Within each building, she is a member of pre-referral teams that review data and implement interventions to support students that are struggling academically and/or behaviorally. She works diligently to ensure parents understand the procedure and their rights when having a child evaluated for special education services. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, running, and traveling.  

A "Typical Day" as a School Psychologist

A typical day in Ms. Hudson life as a school psychologist can be quite unpredictable, but there's a rhythm to it that helps when navigating the chaos. Each morning, she takes the time to prioritize her tasks, reviewing schedules and evaluations for the six schools within the District. This preparation is essential, as it allows her to allocate her time effectively and ensures that she’s ready to tackle whatever challenges arise throughout the day. Ms. Hudson finds that a well-organized start helps her maintain focus and clarity amidst the dynamic demands of the school psychologist  role. She reaches out to parents before an evaluation begins to review the evaluation plan and process and answer any questions they may have. Establishing a good rapport with families is crucial, so she makes sure to communicate clearly and thoroughly about the evaluation process. This interaction builds trust and sets the tone for a collaborative relationship, which she believes is essential for the success of students. As the day progresses, she finds herself engaged in supporting teachers and staff with behavior strategies and academic intervention and testing and observing students to provide valuable input for each evaluation. Ms. Hudson often collaborates with educators to provide the resources they need to help their students succeed. Whether it's brainstorming in meetings or offering guidance throughout the day, she strives to create an empowering environment for both teachers and staff to feel comfortable discussing ideas with her. Witnessing positive changes in student behavior and academic performance is a constant reminder of why she chose this path. For Ms. Hudson, the  role of  school psychologist is a dynamic blend of organization, communication,  and collaboration, where each day brings the rewarding opportunity to support students, families, and educators in meaningful ways.

UM's Career Preparation

The 91´ÎԪ’s Specialist in School Psychology program prepared Ms. Hudson to effectively support students by providing outstanding mentors and a well-rounded education. Throughout the program, she took courses on providing both academic and behavioral interventions, special education law, and conducting student evaluations. These courses were directly relevant to the responsibilities undertaken in her job, equipping her with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to be an effective school psychologist. Additionally, her diverse practicum placements offered invaluable experiences, and she had the opportunity to practice testing and review results with families, allowing her to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Each placement reinforced her learning, and the hands-on experiences were tremendously beneficial. Working closely with students, families, and staff during these practicum placements deepened her understanding of their needs and honed her ability to provide effective support, making a significant impact on her current professional practice.