The School Psychologist of the Year Award recognizes an Iowa school psychologist who has made a notable impact on their AEA, district, school, community, and/or students. As I took time to reflect on who has made a notable impact on school psychology in our state in the past year, one name came to mind, Dr. Nicole Skaar.
I nominated Dr. Skaar due to the extraordinary passion, work ethic, and commitment she demonstrates on a daily basis. Her current roles do not represent a “typical” school psychologist role, but she is making a difference in many lives through her work. Dr. Skaar is an associate professor at the University of Northern Iowa and is the coordinator of the only school psychology program in Iowa. In addition to those roles, she serves as a school psychologist practitioner in Belle Plaine School District where she provides direct service to students in need and she is also the current President of the Iowa School Psychologists Association. Through these varied roles, Dr. Skaar impacts practice at the school, district, university, state, and national levels. Her advocacy within our profession is creating rich dialogue between practitioners and legislators in our state. Her hard work and dedication has helped expand our state association, raise awareness of our profession, increase legislative support of our initiatives, and enhance the research base within our field.
Dr. Skaar has also greatly impacted my practice as a school psychologist. She was one of my graduate school professors and has helped me learn vital skills that I use daily in my work. Additionally, she recommended me for my current role as NASP State Delegate. She recognized leadership qualities in me that I had not even seen in myself. She has always encouraged me to reach toward my goals and has provided the support I’ve needed to take those chances. She truly enhances the work of those surrounding her and I feel that makes her an exceptional practitioner, trainer, leader, and friend. Dr. Stephanie Schmitz, one of her colleagues, shared that Dr. Skaar is a “tireless advocate” for the school psychology program and the field. She also described how passionate Dr. Skaar is about her work in the areas of mental health, teacher education, and research, and also shared how passionate Dr. Skaar is about her colleagues.
Dr. Schmitz noted that it has been “a privilege and a joy to work beside (Dr. Skaar) in the UNI School Psychology Program, and (that she is) proud to call her (a) colleague and fortunate to call her (a) friend.”
The President-Elect of ISPA, Dr. Stephanie Dredge, echoed praises for Dr. Skaar. She noted that Dr. Skaar’s “passion, expertise, and ability to work hard to give our fellow school psychologists a voice is second to none.” She added that Dr. Skaar “is a strong advocate for giving each of our special education representatives across Iowa his or her own career identity and (for) elevating the recognition of the school psychologist role in our state and national legislation.”
It is a great honor and privilege for me to present Dr. Skaar with the school psychologist of the year award. She is an example of the practitioner, colleague, and leader that I hope to someday be. Congratulations to Dr. Skaar!