CEDAR LANE SCHOOL

PSYCHOLOGY:

Meet the School Psychologist

Hi! I'm Dr. Lois Pommer, and I'm excited to be the School Psychologist at Cedar Lane. I began working at Cedar Lane in 1987. Prior to that time, I taught briefly in Baltimore City Public Schools, worked at Kennedy-Krieger Institute for almost ten years, and then worked in private practice. I have my master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University and my doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. As a school psychologist I collaborate with educator, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students. I support the academic needs, as well as the social, behavioral and emotional needs of our students.

What the Cedar Lane School Psychologist Does:

The Cedar Lane school psychologist performs a variety of services to address student needs and improve school and district-wide support systems. Such services include, but are not limited to, the following:

Consultation

• Collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavior issues.
• Helping others understand child development, specific issues on the wide variations and combinations of disabilities present in the Cedar Lane population, and how they impact on learning and behavior.
• Strengthening working relationships among administrators, teachers, parents, and service providers in the community.

Evaluation

• Evaluating student eligibility for special services.
• Assessing cognitive skills and strengths and needs.
• Assessing social-emotional development, behavioral status, and mental health status.

Intervention

• Providing professional development on various special education topics
• Providing Sibling Support Groups for the siblings of Cedar Lane students.
• Providing a Parent Support Group for parents of Cedar Lane students.
• Helping families and school staff in managing crisis situations, such as death, illness, or community trauma.
• Chairing Autism Waiver meetings to continue access to in-home and other supports.
• Working closely with the Behavioral Specialist and school administrators in developing and monitoring Behavior Intervention Plans.

Prevention

• Promoting tolerance, understanding and appreciation of diversity within the school community.
• Developing partnerships with parents, teachers, and community members to promote a healthy school environment.
• Collaborating with school staff and community agencies to provide services directed at improving psychological and physical health.

Research and Planning

• Evaluating the effectiveness of behavioral intervention programs.
• Identifying and implementing programs and strategies to improve the school.
• Using evidence-based research to develop and/or recommend effective interventions.
• Developing the school-wide professional development calendar and evaluating the effectiveness of the professional development sessions.