NSU Horizons Spring 2017

42 NSU HORIZONS W hen Sarah Valley-Gray was completing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology, her father suggested that she become certified as a school psychologist “as a backup.” It was good advice for Valley-Gray, Psy.D., ABPP, professor at NSU’s College of Psychol- ogy. She prepares today’s students to become school psychologists as the director of training for NSU’s school psychology doctoral program. “My dad was both a teacher and an administrator in the public schools. So I sort of grew up in the schools,” said Valley-Gray, who joined the NSU faculty in August of 1999, after completing her doctoral degree and postdoctoral residency in clinical neuropsychology at NSU and working for more than five years as a district school psychologist in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In addition to a doctoral degree from NSU, Valley-Gray has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Miami. Valley-Gray was hired by NSU to teach clinical psychol- ogy and school counseling. However, she inquired about the possibility of developing a school psychology specialist program (Psy.S.) within the Center for Psychological Studies (now the NSU College of Psychology). She described the specialist degree as “midway between a master’s and a doctoral degree and the entry-level degree for working in the public schools.” Valley-Gray later led the development of the school psychology doctoral program (Psy.D.), which was launched in 2011. With an ongoing critical shortage of school psycholo- gists nationwide, “I saw an opportunity to start the school psychology programs here,” Valley-Gray said. The four-year specialist program prepares students for certification as a practitioner in the schools or for private practice licensure as school psychologists—where they address academic, social, and behavioral issues that children and adolescents face. In the schools, they may confront issues such as preventing or responding to school violence and support- ing academic achievement in diverse communities. The five-year doctoral program prepares students both for certification to work in the schools as well as for licensure as psychologists. At NSU, Valley-Gray also serves as the director of continuing education and special projects. She is president- elect of the Trainers of School Psychologists, the national organization that represents faculty members from both specialist and doctoral programs, and immediate past president of the American Academy of School Psychology (AASP), the professional organization representing doctoral psychologists who are board certified in school psychology. She has served on the executive board of the Specialist Program Prepares Students for Careers as School Psychologists BY KATHLEEN KERNICKY FACULTY PROFILE I Sarah Valley-Gray prepares students to become school psychologists.