Downey

Brenda Downey
School Psychologist

As the first school psychologist at ICS, my primary goal has remained on systems and programming aimed at helping students with disabilities and/or those needing additional student support within the school setting.  

Prior to becoming a school psychologist, I was a safety and sanitation field specialist and certification trainer throughout the state. When the company was sold, I went back to college to earn my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in psychology, and a Specialist in School Psychology degree, and began working as a school psychologist in 2005.

While working in public schools for 16 years, I worked alongside administrators supporting and/or coordinating programs and systems. I served as the assistant to the director of pupil services, and I also worked as the stand-in principal in two districts. In all roles, my primary focus has remained on supporting student services personnel and systems, facilitating evaluations and multi-level systems of support, data collection/analysis, and supporting equity work. 

I came to ICS in 2021 excited to share the work experience, lived experience, and skills I’ve learned to support the school in the ways I know I can. As I continue to create and build the role of the school psychologist at ICS, I am thankful more each year for the kind and amazing staff, students, and community who teach and inspire me in more ways than they realize.

My role at ICS currently includes:

  • Accessibility services   

    • Coordinate referrals, evaluations, transfer IEPs, and determination meetings

    • Develop “Individualized Learning Plans” (ILPs)

    • Coordinate MAP testing accommodations

    • Manage ILP progress reports 

  • Coordinate Student Intervention Team meetings

  • Support 4K/5K screenings, evaluations, and transition plans

  • Coordinate Zones of Regulation implementation

  • Teach certification courses in crisis prevention

  • Coordinate Marquette graduate student placement 

  • Support various teams, committee work, and outside programming 

I’m always happy to listen, answer questions, offer guidance, or help find the support needed for students, staff, or families.

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