Current School Psychology Students

Ph.D. Students
Theresa Andreou	Theresa Andreou is originally from Alberta. and loves living in Vancouver for the cultural diversity and recreation. Theresa has done missionary work in Haiti, and worked as an elementary & secondary school teacher. She is inspired by facilitating children's learning and watching them thrive and wants to be a school psychologist to have positive impact on the lives of young people and their families. The best part about studying school psychology at UBC is the rigor, breadth and applied nature of the program. Her research interests include the Response to Treatment Interventions (RTI) and the role of the school psychologist.
	Daphne Gelbart is interested in providing support to children and youth encountering difficulties in learning, academic achievement and social/emotional wellbeing and to their families. She has conducted a specialty placement practicum in counselling at the UBC Life and Career Centre. Daphne earned a Masters in School Psychology and her thesis was titled "Cognitive Abilities that Underlie Mathematics Achievement: A High Ability Perspective". She holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Chemistry from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology and the University of California, Irvine. Prior to entering the field of School Psychology Daphne was employed in technical and managerial positions with high technology firms in the US and Canada, at the University of British Columbia, Law and Computers Centre and at Simon Fraser University Industry Liaison Office.
	Michelle Kozey is originally from Regina, Saskatchewan and loves living in Vancouver for kayaking, ethnic food and the mountains. She studied political economy at Queens University and biopsychology at the University of Toronto and worked as a clinical researcher in mental health and neurosurgery at University of Manitoba. Her career goals are to provide skilled psychological services to children and their families within a medical and/or community mental health setting, as well as involvement in academic research related to the assessment and treatment of young children. The best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is the opportunities to work with diverse populations, and receiving training from experts in their fields. Her research interests include executive functions and developmental assessment of young children; her clinical interests involve the treatment of externalizing and attachment disorders.
Aviva Laye-Gindhu	Aviva Laye-Gindhu is originally from Edmonton, AB, but has spent most of her life in Vancouver. She loves being near both ocean and mountains! Aviva received a BA in English from McGill University and an MA in School Psychology at UBC. Her research and clinical interests include school-based prevention and early intervention (mental health, violence), adolescent street-involvement, and self-harming behaviour, most specifically nonsuicidal self-injury. Aviva's career goals are to work as a child and adolescent psychologist and to continue to conduct community research. Aviva finds people fascinating and is inspired by the courage and resilience she sees daily in her fellow humans; however, she is particularly fond of young people.
	Pauline Low’s family immigrated to Canada from Canton, China when she was 4 years old. She loves weather, natural beauty, relaxation, and West Coast living. Pauline is fascinated with developmental variation and the factors that bring about positive change in a child’s life. She is interested in promoting strong connections between schools and families, and strengthening the way we address early intervention and the way we link systems of care for children. She thinks the best part about the school psychology program at UBC is meeting peers and colleagues who share a common goal, and who strive to improve the profession through strengthening capacity within each other and within the program itself. Her research work is oriented towards a system of educational service delivery that is focused on primary prevention and early intervention of educational difficulties. Where she ask questions about cultural-linguistic diversity and its impact on how children learn to be literate in the English language, particularly for children with learning disabilities.
	Yvonne Martinez is originally from Toronto, Ontario. She has a B.A. (Hons) from the University of Waterloo and an M.A. in School Psychology from UBC. She thinks the best part of life in Vancouver is living within walking distance from the beach, and the best thing about School Psychology at UBC is the amazing support from her peers and professors. Yvonne wants to be a school psychologist so she is able to provide mental health and educational services to a diverse range of children and families. She hopes to become a clinical-researcher after she completes her Ph.D., and to help bridge the field of School Psychology to other disciplines and systems of practice. Yvonne is most interested in researching (and working with) children with internalizing and/or low-incidence disorders, and better understanding how these difficulties are associated with school achievement.
Sabrina Moraes	Sabrina Moraes is originally from Flin Flon, MB, and received her BSc from the University of Western Ontario and an MSc from the University of Manitoba. She loves Vancouver for the beaches and hiking trails. Sabrina is inspired by children and wants to be a school psychologist because she loves working with kids. The best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is the diversity of the students. Her research interests include the impact of early socialization experiences on prosocial behaviour in children.
	Carla Merkel is originally from Vancouver, BC, and has always loved it for the beaches, mountains and amazing sushi on practically every block. She received her BA (honours) from the University of Victoria and her MA in school psychology from the University of British Columbia. Carla wants to be a school psychologist because she enjoys helping children, youth and their families, and she loves the varied roles of the profession. The best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is the diversity and enthusiasm of the graduate students. Carla Merkel s career goal is to work both privately and in the mental health field as a psychologist. Her research interests include early childhood assessment and parent perceptions of the psychoeducational assessment process.
Suretha Swart	Suretha Swart is originally from Potchefstroom, South Africa. She loves living in Vancouver because of its proximity to the ocean and the mountains. Her favourite place in British Columbia is Tofino on Vancouver Island. She has two children in elementary school. Before applying to the program, Suretha worked as a family and children's therapist in the Vancouver mental health system. She wants to be a school psychologist because it provides her with a way to facilitate change at the individual and systems level. The best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is being able to combine her interests in mental health and school psychology.Her research interests include supporting students with FASD and their caregivers in the B.C educational system.
Additional PhD students:Leslie Mackay, Karen Ott Vandekamp, Natalie Rocke Henderson
MA Students
	Joanna Bennett is originally from Victoria, BC and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Victoria. She loves living in Vancouver because it's a big city with a lot of diversity and all of the other great things that come with a major city, but also has the ocean, the mountains, and forests. She is interested in studying the development of executive function in preschoolers, cognitive functioning in youth with chronic pain syndromes, and factors affecting school transition. She would really like to work for a small school district in BC where she can bring innovative ideas to the table and contribute to research.
	Jacquie Brown is originally from Ontario, and completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Dalhousie University. Jacquie wants to be a school psychologist for many reasons, but one is to have the opportunity to help provide that crucial link between the home and school setting. She is inspired by watching some kids try so hard to accomplish a task that may be easy to every other student. Jacquie's career goals are to obtain her Ph.D., and then decide! Her research interests include behavioural interventions for students with problem behaviour and autism, and student-teacher relationships.
	Matt Danbrook is from Bolton, Ontario, a small town north of Toronto. He has completed his B.A. (hons) and M.A. from Brock University in Child and Youth Studies. Matt is very happy to be in Vancouver because there is so much to see and do here. When he is not studying, you can find Matt either on the slopes skiing or jogging in Stanley Park. In the School Psychology program here there is a close and collegial atmosphere which has made for a smooth transition between schools. The sense of community UBC has created for graduate students is remarkable. Matt’s personal and professional goal is to use his skills as an agent of change at the individual, community and government level. His commitment is to work with children, youth and their families within the science practitioner model, all while combining compassion with science. Matt explores questions regarding children with exceptionalities in the areas of bullying, learning disABILITIES, communication delays, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
	Leah Gillespie is originally from a quaint little town in Ontario and completed her undergraduate study at the University of Western Ontario. She loves living in Vancouver because of trees that stretch to the sky, the cool ocean breeze and mountains that leave her in awe. Leah wants to be a school psychologist to foster a belief in children who have lost faith in themselves as students that they each have strengths and are capable and worthy of achieving success. Her research interests include how teacher-student relationships and classroom supportiveness increase academic and social-emotional success for students. One of the best things about the program at UBC is that it offers you knowledge and practice in a variety of assessment and intervention methods
	Sandra (Sam) Gregory grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, but ventured west to the University of Waterloo to receive her B.A. in Honours Psychology. After spending a couple of years working as a lab manager in social psychology, she decided to put her research skills to good use at graduate school. A love for making a difference in children’s lives and maximizing their positive experiences at school, graduate studies in School Psychology was calling her. Settling only for the finest of programs, Sam found herself venturing further west to UBC to study under the supervision of Dr. Shelley Hymel. Her research interests surround bullying in the school system, and the potential for bystanders to intervene. She loves Vancouver because after several years of being away from the Maritimes, she can finally enjoy the ocean once again! The abundance of sushi, beautiful hiking trails and beaches, and the breathtaking mountains are the icing on her cake.
	Amanda Hume is originally from San Carlos, California and completed her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. After graduating, she worked as an Instructional Assistant at a school for kids with autism. Amanda wants to be a school psychologist to make a positive difference in the lives of kids and their families; also to have a career where you are constantly problem-solving and working on different things every day. The best parts about studying school psychology at UBC are the sense of community we have and all the practicum experiences we get working in the schools, and with kids, in a number of different capacities. Her research interests include sustainability of positive behaviour support systems and examining the impact that family and community involvement have on fostering positive school environments.
	Sarah Husain is originally from Trinidad where she completed her BSc in Psychology at the University of the West Indies. Sarah has also worked as a high school Biology teacher and a support teacher for students with special needs. The best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is that the people (both students and faculty) are fun and supportive, and that the program is demanding but awesome, with a large practical component. She also loved being in the schools and working alongside teachers, right from the start. And when your professors bring delicious treats to those early morning classes, you know you're in a program that's going to take good care of you...or at least feed you well! Her research interests include the use of Individualized Education Programs for supporting students with special needs in schools in BC.
	Janet Kidd completed her B.A. Honours Psychology with a Minor in Family Studies at UBC. She is working as a research assistant on a project at B.C. Children's Hospital examining the impact of stress in preterm infants on later executive functioning and related cognitive processes. Janet and her husband Kevin are both avid skiers/snowboarders and love to escape to snowy landscapes as often as possible. Her research interests include examining the contextual family and individual-level factors related to early academic achievement and the relationship between social-emotional behaviours and emerging literacy and math skills in children.
	Suzanne Klecker is originally from New Westminster, BC, and completed her BA in Psychology in 2003. Suzanne plans to pursue her PhD with a specialty in eating disorders, and wants to start an elementary school program for the awareness and prevention of eating disorders in children. The best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is the closeness and friendship of the students and faculty. Suzanne is inspired by her children, and her computer desktop is a picture of Suzanne and her son on the Ferris wheel at Playland this past summer. Her research interests include the awareness and prevention of eating disorders in children.
Orly Lipka	Orly Lipka received both Bachelor's degree, a Masters' degree in School Counseling and a Teaching Certificate in Special Education from Tel Aviv University in Isreal Undergrad Degree and University. She has a Ph.D. in Special Education from UBC and returned to graduate school to earn a M.A. in School Psychology to allow her to practice as a school psychologist. Orly's research interests are in reading development and difficulties of students with English as a second Language, reading development and related processes, learning disabilities, and the identification of children at risk for school failure.
	Katie Marshall is originally from Maitland, ON, and did her undergrad in psychology at McMaster University. She loves living in Vancouver because on a sunny day the view of the mountains, city-scape and the ocean is incredible. Katie wants to be a school psychologist to help to improve the lives of students by figuring out how children learn and what types of strategies can be implemented to increase their chances of success. The best part about studying school psychology at UBC the amazing amount of practicum experience and getting to interact with kids from day one. Katie is currently working on a project examining the influence of environments/ neighbourhoods on child outcomes. She is interested in how community based early intervention programs interact with neighbourhood characteristics to effect school readiness and learning outcomes.
	Erika Miller is originally from Gibsons, British Columbia and completed her B.A. in Psychology at Trinity Western University. She also completed an internship placement at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in Ottawa, and has worked as the Bullying Awareness and Prevention Coordinator at the John Howard Society in Medicine Hat Alberta. She loves Vancouver for the huge variety of restaurants, shopping, sports activities, and art events - there is something here for everyone! She believes that the best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is the sense of community, and the support from the students and professors to help her achieve her goals. UBC is a beautiful and accessible campus, which provides a great studying atmosphere. Her current research interests include the development of Individualized Educational Plans and how they can be most effective and useful for classroom teachers and other professionals involved in supporting students, as well as social-emotional learning, the development of prosocial behaviour, resiliency, and the use of positive behaviour supports for students with intense behaviour needs and how this can relate to academic outcomes.
	Juliana Negreiros is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is currently in the third year of the MA program in School Psychology, doing a full-year internship with the Surrey School District. At UBC, she has been actively involved in studies and activities related to early childhood assessment, its technical properties, and the role that communities, neighbourhoods, families, and classrooms play in early school readiness. Her thesis project is entitled: “Children’s perspectives of safety in their neighbourhood”, which is being conducted in Surrey. Juliana wants to be a school psychologist to help children succeed in school and later on in life. According to Juliana, the best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is that you learn more than you can ever imagine. Juliana's career goals are to work in the public system as well as have her own private practice. She is interested in studying early childhood education, and is inspired by the puzzle of figuring out how human beings work.
	Rashmeen Nirmal was born in Prince George, British Columbia but essentially grew up in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, B.C. The best part about living in Vancouver is the cultural diversity, the geography (particularly the beaches, hiking trails, and mountains), and the eclectic fashion finds. I completed my Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on a Golf Scholarship. The best thing about studying School Psychology at UBC is the fact that the program is comprehensive. It covers the breadth of contextual factors that are implicated in child development and learning. In addition, you can set your goals and action plans and the faculty will work with you to help you achieve them. The sky really is the limit with School Psychology at UBC. My research interests include investigating bullying, particularly in the sport and school environments. It is hoped that information gathered from research in this area will help create positive instructional and coaching strategies that will facilitate safe and healthy sport environments. Another line of research interest includes examining the impact of structured physical activity and cognitive behavioural therapy on reducing problem behaviour, particularly anxiety, in students with high-functioning autism. My career goals include working as a School Psychologist in the public school system as well as a private practitioner, utilizing a problem-solving/three-tiered model to intervention and assessment framework. Lastly, what is my inspiration? The answer is my parents and sisters, and envisioning student success.
	Jessica Parker is originally from Moncton, New Brunswick. She received her B.A. with Honours in Psychology from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS. After graduation, she moved to Vancouver to work in a research lab at SFU. Being an East Coast girl through and through, she moved back to NB for a year in 2006 to get married and be around friends and family before finally starting my studies at UBC. Jessica is inspired by the thought of being able to help create environments where children feel safe and happy and are therefore able to just be kids, and wants to be a school psychologist to effect change for many children of all different age groups. The best thing about studying School Psychology at UBC is the life-long friends that she has made through the program and the excellent training that she has received. She is interested in studying the community and family influences that play a role in the development of children's social understanding upon start of school.
	Carmen Poirier is originally from Williams Lake, BC, and completed her BSc in psychology at UNBC in Prince George. Carmen loves living in Vancouver for the scenary and is inspired by positive support from family and friends. She wants to be a school psychologist to help as many students as possible by working at school, classroom and individual levels, and her career goals are to increase awareness about school psychology services in rural communities. The best part about studying school psychology at UBC is the support that develops within your cohort and getting to do practicum. She is interested in researching strategies to increase academic engagement, resiliency, and mentoring in schools.
	Larissa Predy is originally from Edmonton, Alberta and moved to Vancouver Island in 2005 where she completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at Vancouver Island University. Her and her husband moved to Vancouver in 2008 for work and further studies. Larissa appreciates the strong sense of collegial respect and unity that the school psychology program at UBC offers. The professors are both passionate and experienced and the program supports Larissa’s research and career interests in preventative approaches and support for behavioural challenges. Although their previous small, island community and laid back lifestyle is missed, Larissa and her husband absolutely love Vancouver for its diverse culture and beautiful mountains, which serve their hobbies as avid skiers/snowboarders throughout the winter months.
	Monica Shah is originally from Ontario and completed her Honours B.Sc. degree at the University of Toronto. Living in Vancouver is great because it has so much to offer – good food, beautiful scenery, friendly people, plus the city life! The best part about the School Psychology program at UBC is the support and encouragement that you gain from the faculty, the upper-year students, and your cohort from day one. With a comprehensive program like this one, it’s good to know that you have people to lean on! Monica is inspired by helping children to lead their best lives, and as a school psychologist, she hopes to achieve this by working at both the individual and systems levels within a child’s second most common environment – the school.
	Veronica Shim grew up in the suburbs of Vancouver, BC and completed her B.A (Honours) degree at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2007. She worked as a program coordinator for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland before applying to graduate school and intends on completing her PhD after obtaining her Masters degree at UBC. Veronica wants to be a school psychologist because she adores working with children and families. She feels passionately about creating a positive atmosphere for children in hopes that they can reach their full potential. Her research interests include early experiences and school readiness as well as online bullying among girls. Veronica chose to study School Psychology at UBC because of the esteemed faculty, the quality and calibre of the training program and the supportive environment at UBC.
	Ellen Shumka is originally from Waterloo, Ontario. She completed her B.A. in Psychology and English at the University of Waterloo before moving to British Columbia in pursuit of her M.A. in School Psychology. Ellen enjoys practicing yoga, walking on trails, going to the beach, and snowboarding in her spare time. She wants to be a school psychologist in order to maximize each child's individual potential so that they can become their best self. Her research interests include relational aggression in young females, and moral disengagement in bullying.
	Jessica Trach is originally from Ontario where she received her BA in psychology from the University of Western Ontario. She loves living in Vancouver for amazing sushi restaurants and being able to visit the Vancouver Aquarium whenever she wants. She wants to be a school psychologist because you get to do something different every day - working with students, teachers, and families, and engaging in meaningful research projects. There is lots of variety and always something new to learn! Jessica plans to pursue her PhD in school psychology at UBC, and then see where life takes her. The best thing about studying school psychology at UBC is the friends she's made through the program. Her research interests include peer group processes and preventing bullying and violence in schools.
	Julia Wallis is originally from Calgary, After getting an undergraduate degree from the University of Victoria, she spent a year in Asia teaching English. Julia wants to be a school psychologist because, as a child advocate, she believes there is enormous potential for school-based providers of mental health services to reach the most vulnerable child populations. Specifically, her goals are to increase collaboration between school-based services and government bodies to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable children (e.g., children living in care, homeless children.)
MEd Students
	Kelly Costain is originally from Prince Edward Island. She has completed a BSc in Psychology from UPEI, and an MA in Developmental Psychology from Brock University. Her interest in school psychology developed from experiences working in Canada and the UK with children who have social, emotional, and academic needs. Her plan to briefly visit Vancouver two years ago changed within days of arriving to the city and realizing that she was in love with all it had to offer; the eclectic and diverse city life combined with the most breathtaking nature at your doorstep is pretty much all anybody could ever ask for! Kelly’s research interests are identity development, resiliency, and the components of effective prevention and intervention programs. She is most looking forward to being able to advocate on behalf of children and their families while working as a school psychologist.
	Calli Craft was born and raised in Ontario and completed her BA at the University of Windsor in Psychology. She doesn’t know how she has lasted this long without seeing this beautiful place! There is truly something here for everyone, no matter what you are interested in. Being so far away from home is hard, but being in the School Psychology program at UBC, she already feels like she has a second family! She loves that she is able to apply what she learns in the classroom to a school setting right from the start!
	Courtney Edgar completed her B.A. (Hons) in Psychology at the University of British Columbia in 2006. She grew up in a military family and has lived and travelled in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Central America. She adores roaming the planet and meeting new people from around the world! She thinks Vancouver is an exciting and vibrant city and hopes to make it her permanent home. She enjoys swimming, skiing and reading in her spare time. Her research interests include social competence & peer relations, moral development, and culture & diversity in the classroom.
	Daniela Iorianni is originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario where she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and education at Lakehead University. She has lived in BC with her fiancé since 2007 and loves the BC scenery and lifestyle (and the fact that she can play outdoor soccer all year long!!). Daniela has just started her first year in the school psychology program and is really excited at how much she is learning and how practical learning is encouraged from the beginning. There is a lot of work involved in this program but she finds the faculty and fellow school psychology students are very helpful and supportive! Daniela is really looking forward to working with children and gaining the skills she needs to help those who struggle with learning and emotional difficulties.
	Shayna Marshall is originally from Grand Forks BC, and completed both her undergraduate and Education degree at UBC. She spent four years in Fort Nelson BC, teaching grades five and seven in a three grade middle school. Shayna is excited to be back in Vancouver studying to become a school psychologist. She is particularly interested in the areas of behaviour interventions and positive behaviour support within regular classroom settings. In her spare time, Shayna enjoys getting out in the city to practice her photography skills as well as enjoy all the recreational opportunities Vancouver has to offer. Once her program is finished, Shayna is looking forward to doing some travelling and getting down to the business of being a school psychologist.
	Susanna Mathews is a Vancouverite who thinks that Vancouver is gorgeous in everyway. She says we have the mountains, the ocean, and asks what more could you ask for? She even really loves the rain. She wants to be a school psychologist for the chance to impact the lives of students in a meaningful way. She loves the practical aspects of the school psychology program at UBC where students are place in schools from the start. She also loves the community feel of our program. Her advice to new students is to be prepared to work and play hard.
	Alexandra Percy is originally from Vancouver. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at UBC, and an MA in cognitive psychology at the University of Toronto. Before returning to grad school at UBC she did some traveling, mostly sailing in Europe with friends. She wants to be a school psychologist because it's an exciting and challenging career where you have the ability to make an impact at the individual level as well as at the classroom or school level. Apart from the beautiful campus, the best thing about studying School Psychology at UBC is that there is a strong community feel in the program and everyone is really supportive of each other. You really get to know the faculty members and not only the students in your cohort but the student's in other cohorts. Her research interests include understanding children's perspectives of their neighbourhood and understanding individual, family, and neighbourhood factors that contribute to early school readiness and success.
	Carola Tize is originally from Germany, but moved to Vancouver at the age of 12. She completed her undergrad in Anthropology and German at UBC, and then started working in the field of mental health education, as well as competing and coaching sports after graduation. Realizing her true passion in working with and helping youth, she started working towards completion of the prerequisites for the School Psychology masters. After handing in her application, she took off to ride her bike from Cairo to Cape Town to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. For Carola, being part of the School Psychology program at UBC has been an incredible experience so far. The incredible close network of support and inspiration the program offers, as well as the involvement in schools from the first semester provide great preparation and a diversity of experiences that allow for easy entry into the work force.
	Laura Weinheimer is from Brampton, Ontario. Prior to joining the school psychology program at UBC, she completed a BA in psychology at the University of Waterloo and a MA in social/personality/abnormal psychology at the University of Toronto. One of the greatest strengths of the school psychology program is that the theory and knowledge content taught in courses is linked to practical settings from the outset of the program. Another strength of the program is how supportive and welcoming the faculty and students are.
Additional MA and MEd students: Jennifer Geisreiter

UBC Faculty of Education
Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, & Special Education
2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4.