School Psychology Awareness Week

***This Post was written by Howard Wakkinen, Conference Graduate Credit Chari for WSPA***

School Psychology Awareness Week (SPAW): What Are You Doing to With Your SPAW-tential? (Adapted from Sam Medeiros’ Communique article, November 2018, Volume 47, Number 3)

School Psychology Awareness Week is Novermber 12-18, 2018, and this year’s theme is “Unlock Potential. Find Your Password!” This theme is meant to help people understand that just like with passwords they use for their phone, real-world “passwords,” such as specific skills, assets, or characteristics, can help one reach one’s full potential.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has numerous resources available to celebrate and advocate during SPAW week. While this effort may be led by school psychologists, this is a celebration and advocacy effort for ALL educators. Whether you are a classroom teacher, an administrator, a school psychologist, or in some other role in a school setting, a common goal we all share is to support (i.e., teach, challenge, and encourage) students to unlock their potential to find success.

Ways to celebrate SPAW may be found on the NASP Website.

Once you get to the website and link above, you will find the following additional links:

• About the Theme
• Poster Activities
• Sample Resources
• Virtual Hill Day
• State Association SPAW Resource Guide
• Feedback Survey
• Posters
• Possibilities in Action Partner Program
• Student POWER Award
• Gratitude Works Program
• Unlock Potential. Find Your Password! Videos

In closing, what are you willing to do to connect with other education professionals during School Psychology Awareness Week (SPAW – November 12-18) in the pursuit of helping students unlock their potential? If you have not done anything in the past, no worries! Go to nasponline.org, pick one of the numerous activities, and have fun connecting with students and staff as you celebrate the week. Who doesn’t like a celebration?! In addition to the endorphin-promoting, fun-filled activities, remember that your actions during SPAW are promoting the well-being and potential of all students. For all educators, while this is a special week of celebrating with a specific focus, remember that you make a positive difference every day!