Hanna Thieme is the new intern for the school psychologist. This year, she will help with counseling, and learn how to help high schoolers.

Q: How long are you interning for?

A: I’ll be here for the entire year.

Q: Are you interning for a college program?

A: Yes, I am in a graduate program at Northeastern University, so I’ve earned my masters, and now I’m earning my certificate of advanced graduate study in school psychology. So, I’m doing my third-year internship.

Q: Have you ever been a teacher at a school?

A: No, I’ve done some student teaching in undergrad, but I did a practicum, which is where I went into an elementary school two days a week. So this is my first full time [position]. 

Q: Have you interned at other schools before? 

A: No, so for the school psychology programs, they have two years of classes, the second year is a practicum, and the third year an internship. So, there’s usually just one internship.

Q: What’s it like being an intern, versus being a TA, or a practicum student?

A: I would say just being here more frequently, and feeling more a part of the school community. So I’m able to be here every day and get to know the other professionals here and the students. 

Q: Do you want to be a school psychologist?

A: I do, yes.

Q: Have you always wanted to be a school psychologist?

A: I think I wanted to be a school psychologist since high school so I got really lucky because not everybody knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives. So in undergrad, I studied psychology and I minored in education because I wanted to work in the school. So then I applied to grad school psychology.

Q: What are your duties here? 

A: Here, I’ll be doing counseling, assessment, report writing, going to meetings, I’m also going to have a role in the bridge program during B blocks and I’ll be doing some consultations with staff. 

Q: Why did you choose Westford Academy?

A: So I was looking for a place in this general area, and Westford really stood out to me because I liked that there was the Bridge Program. And in the interview, I learned more about the responsibilities here, and how their’s a focus on mental health. And that it offered a lot of nice opportunities to explore different interests.

Q: How’s your experience been here so far?

A: It’s been really great. It’s very welcoming here. For example on the first day, people were introducing themselves and when a staff member sees me and they don’t really know who I am they come over and introduce themselves. It’s really nice.

Q: What is your favorite part of Westford Academy?

A: I’d just say how welcoming everyone has been because it can definitely be intimidating going into a completely new work environment, but the first day I was here I was immediately put at ease by how friendly everybody was. 

Q: Where do you do most of your work?

A: Usually in the office, and then I might do testing in another room if need be.

Q: What was your experience like here, versus at other schools?

A: I’d say the biggest difference is that its high schoolers, instead of elementary schoolers. I wanted to get a totally new experience with a new population. The age difference has been the biggest thing. There is differences between what your role is and what you’re able to do depending on the age level, so I was really excited to do counseling with high schoolers and explore that demographic.

Q: Which do you think you like better?

A: I can’t say yet, because I’ve done childcare, and nursery schools and all of that. But I’m really liking it here so far.