School Psychology

Stephanie Kressin is an Educational Specialist student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology. She completed her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and Rehabilitation Psychology at UW-Madison, along with a certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies. She has worked as a research assistant in the Social Kids Lab, as an intern at the Waisman Early Childhood Program, and as a coordinator for a college outreach program called Bucky’s Classroom. Her research interests include effective interventions for students with disabilities, resilience, and family-school and community partnerships. As a LEADSS scholar, she receives specialized training in evidence-based practices in school mental health.

SJ Botting is an Educational Specialist student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology. SJ graduated from UW-Madison with a BA in Psychology and Spanish and worked in the Madison community in not-for-profit finance before returning to pursue a degree in school psychology. They are a scholar of Project SPACE which provides specialized training for culturally responsive mental health services. SJ’s interests in the field also include social emotional learning, inclusive school climate, and family-school partnerships.

Rachel Thielen is an Educational Specialist student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology. She graduated from UW-Madison with a BA in Psychology and certificate in Education & Educational Studies. She formerly worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for ABA therapy and as the Youth Services Specialist at a local non-profit providing resources for individuals with disabilities. Her research interests include early intervention, universal screening, and the incorporation of Tier 2 and Tier 3 services for early childhood learners.

Piper Swearengin is an Educational Specialist student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology. She completed a BA in Psychology and a minor in Education at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She works as an Employment Specialist, where she helps people with mental health concerns and disabilities seek employment. At UW-Madison, she is a part of the Project CASTLE training grant, where she receives specialized training in autism identification, intervention, and interdisciplinary practices. Her interests include social-emotional learning, suicide prevention, and treatment of co-occurring disorders in students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Marybell Rodriguez is an Educational Specialist student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology. She graduated from UW-Milwaukee, where she received his BA in Psychology and Spanish. While completing her undergraduate degree, she worked as a daycare teacher in the Milwaukee area. She is currently a scholar of Project SPACE.

Leah Marsh is an Educational Specialist student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology. She graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education. She has worked as a lab coordinator for a child development research lab and as a research assistant for a team that investigated the effectiveness of mental health interventions for students. She is currently a Project LEADSS scholar, which emphasizes collaboration between school psychologists and school social workers to promote the mental health of all children.

Kathryn Costello is an Educational Specialist student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology. She graduated from NYU with a degree in psychology and a minor in disability studies. Before returning to school, she worked at a day program for adults with autism providing continuing education and job training. She is part of the Project CASTLE grant, which provides specific training on supporting children with autism spectrum disorder. Her interest in the field involves ensuring children with disabilities receive an equitable and positive education experience.

Kasheah Jennings is an Educational Specialist student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology. She earned her BA from UW-Milwaukee where she majored in Education. She taught 7th-grade English, conducted reading and math interventions, and participated on the PBIS Leadership team. She is a Project SPACE scholar which emphasizes culturally responsive mental health services. Kasheah’s current research interests include culturally responsive interventions, family and school partnerships, and educational inequities for marginalized individuals.

Joseph Decker is a doctoral student in the School Psychology area within the Department of Educational Psychology and is advised by Dr. Stephen Kilgus. He completed his BA at The University of Iowa in Psychology and Spanish with a minor in Portuguese. Joseph’s current research interests include the identification of trauma in students and developing equitable universal screening measures.