Andreas Smeritschnig
Pasadena,CA
Summary
Thoughtful School Psychologist with 17 years of experience guiding students at all age levels through insurmountable obstacles, managing treatment planning and program progress. Supportive listener with creativity and sensitivity when treating individuals with varying psychological concerns. Supportive and tactful navigator of complex family dynamics, leading IEP meetings with cultural awareness and objectivity.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead School Psychologist
Savanna School District
06.2014 - Current
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions for critical issues.
- Observed students in classroom and play environments to create Behavior Intervention Plans.
- Facilitated interdisciplinary meetings to assess goals and progress.
- Built positive and productive relationships with students, parents, educators and community resources.
- Developed a school-wide behavior management system that reduced disciplinary referrals by promoting positive reinforcement strategies.
- Led the development of a comprehensive bullying prevention program, fostering a culture of empathy and respect within the school community.
- Established strong relationships with community agencies to facilitate access to additional resources for students in need.
- Evaluated existing psychoeducational programs to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices and emerging research findings in the field of school psychology.
- Implemented targeted interventions for at-risk students that resulted in improved academic performance and emotional well-being outcomes.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by addressing social-emotional and behavioral challenges among students.
- Developed a proactive approach to crisis intervention, reducing the number of behavioral incidents within the school community.
- Advocated for the needs of all students by participating in district-wide initiatives focused on equity, inclusion, and diversity.
- Provided clinical supervision to intern psychologists, promoting their professional growth while ensuring high-quality service delivery within the school setting.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust and rapport to de-escalate situations.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results and information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Developed 504 Plans for students with disabilities.
- Led staff and faculty training and development to support program objectives.
Adjunct Professor
Loyola Marymount University
05.2017 - Current
- Taught a variety of counseling courses, providing instruction to up to 25 graduate students.
- Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional, and academic goals while providing coaching on effective study habits.
- Graded quizzes, tests, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Strengthened critical thinking skills in students through the incorporation of problem-based learning activities.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Worked with colleagues and administrators to create robust education programs.
- Increased student retention by providing individualized support and tailored feedback on assignments.
- Improved overall course quality through the implementation of regular evaluations, incorporating student feedback into future improvements.
- Taught diverse student population by employing various learning styles and abilities.
- Conducted engaging in-class discussions to facilitate learning and encourage participation.
- Boosted class participation rates by fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment.
School Psychologist
El Rancho Unified School District
06.2007 - 05.2014
- Conducted functional behavioral assessments to identify underlying causes of challenging behaviors and create effective behavior intervention plans accordingly.
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions for key issues.
- Assisted in crisis response efforts, ensuring timely interventions for at-risk students while maintaining a safe learning environment.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Provided professional development opportunities for staff members on topics related to mental health awareness, classroom management, and social-emotional learning.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust and rapport to de-escalate situations.
- Improved student well-being by conducting comprehensive psychological assessments and creating tailored intervention plans.
- Observed students in classroom and play environments.
- Built positive and productive relationships with students, parents, educators, and community resources.
Education
Ed.D. - Educational Leadership
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Pomona, CA12.2023
Master of Science - Counseling
California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA06.2007
Master of Science - Psychology
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Pomona, CA06.2004
Skills
- Crisis Response
- Classroom Management
- Diversity Awareness
- Workshop Facilitation
- Student Engagement
- Research and Program Analysis
- Individualized Support for Students with Disabilities
- Career Counseling
Accomplishments
Awarded "Helping Professional of the Year" by Greater Anaheim SELPA in 2018
Languages
German
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
Loyola Marymount University
05.2017 - Current
Lead School Psychologist
Savanna School District
06.2014 - Current
School Psychologist
El Rancho Unified School District
06.2007 - 05.2014
Ed.D. - Educational Leadership
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Master of Science - Counseling
California State University - Los Angeles
Master of Science - Psychology
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Similar Profiles
Jasmine TapalesJasmine Tapales
Kindergarten Teacher at Savanna School DistrictKindergarten Teacher at Savanna School District
Carmen GarciaCarmen Garcia
Teacher at Holder Elementary, Savanna School DistrictTeacher at Holder Elementary, Savanna School District
Markie WarburtonMarkie Warburton
Instructional Aide Special Needs at Savanna School DistrictInstructional Aide Special Needs at Savanna School District