U.S. schoolchildren take classes that teach them about the world around them. But they can also learn about the emotional world inside them if their school is lucky enough to have a psychologist — someone like Dr. Perette Arrington (shown here), who counsels children at a middle school in Washington.
School psychologists help children cope with the social and behavioral challenges they face in the school as well as at home. Because fear, anger, depression and issues with self-control affect a student’s academic performance, school psychologists provide counseling to help a child succeed.
According to the most recent estimates by the National Association of School Psychologists, there are 28,500 practicing school psychologists in the United States.
Although the job can be draining at times, connecting with students can be rewarding, according to Arrington. “If you enjoy what you do, it is easy for people to feel comfortable around you,” she said.