KAPS Award Winners

A Lexington native, I live here with my spouse John, our two-year-old daughter Zoe, and our goldendoodle Boogie. I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology at Denison University where I played NCAA collegiate soccer all four years. I returned to Lexington for graduate school at the University of Kentucky where I completed my doctorate in school psychology as well as earned a certificate in developmental disabilities. While in graduate school I also coached girl’s high school soccer for four years. I have had the pleasure of working as a school psychologist in Fayette County Public Schools for the past six years. Prior to being employed in Fayette County as a school psychologist, I completed a year-long practicum placement in Anderson County, two years of advanced practicum in Fayette County, and a year-long internship in Fayette County to complete my doctorate. During my second year of graduate school, I founded the LYSA TOPSoccer League in central Kentucky for athletes ages four and older with disabilities. I continue to serve as the director for the league, which recently completed its 10th year (20th season). Each season TOPSoccer serves approximately 60 athletes with the assistance of 75 volunteers. During the 2015-2016 academic year, I served as an adjunct professor for the University of Kentucky School Psychology graduate program teaching Cognitive Assessment and Psychoeducational Interventions to first year graduate students.

I grew up in Corbin, Kentucky and earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University. I was a December graduate, so while awaiting to begin the school psychology program at EKU the following fall, I worked at Migrant Even Start/Kentucky River Foothills Head Start to assist mothers who were trying to obtain their GED and their preschool- age children with school readiness skills. As part of the EKU school psychology program, I completed practicums at a small community school that served K-12 and a private setting that also served K-12. For my internship year, I was hired to work with Fayette County Public Schools with my main school being a high school. Upon completion of my internship year, I earned my Specialist degree in School Psychology and eighteen years later continue to be part of Fayette County Public Schools and at the very same high school I did my internship. Early in my career in addition to serving my high school, I served an elementary and middle school program. More recently, in the past approximately seven years, along with my high school, I’ve served numerous alternative programs for both middle and high school age. I’m a mother of two sons. My oldest son graduated EKU Spring of 2019 with a Bachelor in Business Administration and my youngest son will be attending high school this fall. Serving as a school psychologist has allowed me to use my skills to accomplish many goals like improving academic achievement; promoting positive behavior and mental health; supporting diverse learners; and creating a safe, positive school climate.

Darcy is in her 10th year as a school psychologist. She graduated with an Bachelor in Psychology from the University of Louisville and her Ed.S. in School Psychology at Western Kentucky University. She completed her internship in Madison County Schools, worked for 5 years in Hardin County Schools, and has worked for JCPS for 4 years. Darcy lives in Louisville with her husband of 7 years, Jarod, and her kids, Lincoln (age 3) and Hazel (age 2).

I have been practicing school psychology for the past 18 years. I completed my internship and 2nd year serving students and families in Meade County Public Schools. Then, in 2002, I joined the crew of school psychologists in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). I currently serve a population of 2800 students. I serve one high school, one middle school, two elementary schools in the Southern part of Jefferson County. I also volunteer on the Early Childhood team and have participated in arena assessments for early childhood students for the past 14 years. I received my Associate of Arts degree from Somerset Community College in 1996; my Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Kentucky University in 1998; and graduated with my Specialist in Psychology degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 2001. I served as Region Representative for KAPS from 2007-2009. I earned the KAPS Best Practice Award in Counseling in 2007. I have been married to my husband Mickey, since 2000, and we have two athletic little girls, Hallie (10) and Emma (7) who keep us hopping with dance, gymnastics, track, Cross Country, and year round swimming with Lakeside. We have 5 pets: a Siamese cat (Mia); 3 Glow-Fish (Blueberry, Peaches, & Banana); and 1 Serpae Tetra fish (CeeCee). We also have an adopted therapy dog, Ari, who lives with his teacher mommy but spends time with his school psychologist mommy typically on Fridays. My hobbies include traveling, swimming, cycling, reading, cooking, and being actively involved in my girls’ school and sport activities. Best self-care strategies include: sleep, watching movies from the 80’s, deep tissue aromatherapy massages, yoga, and eating sushi & chocolate fondue for dessert guilt-free!

Kelsi completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology at the University of Louisville. After teetering between clinical psychology, social work, and teaching, Kelsi was introduced to the field of school psychology. This career was the perfect blend of psychology and education. After completing the school psychology Ed.S program at the University of Kentucky, Kelsi began her career in Jessamine County Schools. After two and a half years of irreplaceable mentorship and experience, Kelsi relocated home to Louisville and began working for Jefferson County Public Schools. While working for Jefferson County Kelsi has had the opportunity to work with students of various ages and demographics, including students at a special high school who have experienced significant trauma. Kelsi is a lead crisis responder for the district and serves on the KAPS school mental health committee.

Lorie A. Hall, Ed.S., NCSP, is a school psychologist with over twenty years of experience in the field. She credits her dedication to this profession from the grit and work ethic derived from her Eastern Kentucky roots, as well as a strong passion for helping children. Having graduated from Western Kentucky University, Lorie has provided school psychology services in three different regions of the state. Currently, she serves the students in Clark County Public Schools, and works in elementary and junior high settings. Lorie’s professional interests include school mental health services, threat assessment and school safety, trauma-informed care, and interventions for students in poverty. Regarding self-care, Lorie is an avid movie watcher, loves reading sci-fi/fantasy, and attempts to garden in her backyard. She currently resides with her wonderful husband, Andy, and brilliant young son, Elliot, in Richmond, Kentucky; this family suffers from a serious addiction to collecting seashells from warm beaches, lounging around on cruise ships, and standing in lines at the “people” trap otherwise known as Disneyworld.