About EDventure
Hi! I’m Mrs. Vi!
My family are boat people who escaped Vietnam after the war. Interestingly, we love to fish and don’t care for swimming! 😀 My grandmother was taught herself to read. My family fled our homeland in search of educational opportunity. My grandfather says that his single most important accomplishment in life was bringing his family to the U.S. safely.
I was the first in my family to attend public school in the U.S. I enjoyed my early school experience, and probably excelled because I enjoyed it. My disillusionment began in high school, followed by anxiety and depression in college. It was an isolating and defeating experience. I began seeking answers. Why was this happening? What should I do?
I researched the sociology of education and social networking in schools, which paved the way to School Psychology. At the same time, I researched my own ‘craziness.’ For me, the key remedies were counseling, Kung Fu and community.
Since beginning my career in 2009, I have served in over 45 schools spanning 4 districts and nonpublic schools as a GEAR UP Mentor, Community Based Counselor, School Psychologist, District Behavior Specialist and Kung Fu Instructor. My heart has led me to specialized training such as doing grant work in Mexico for Department of Education to better serve English Learners in the U.S., supporting students of Military Families, providing cognitive behavior therapy for students with Autism… In all of my experiences (ranging from working with students, collaborating with families and teams, training staff, triaging behavioral needs, building classroom, school and districtwide behavioral programs, building programs to engage modern students with traditional Kung Fu curriculum…) I have learned so much!
I’ve learned that learning is inextricably intertwined with cognition, emotion, behavior and our environment. Everyone has the ability to learn. Success is relative, but self-efficacy is critical to our well-being and development. What we learn and who we become in the process is directly proportional to the effort we invest.
Educational Psychologist FAQ
You’re like a counselor, right?
Yes, but no! Both School Counselors and Educational Psychologists support student needs. Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP’s) are specifically trained in learning processes and education systems in order to improve access to education. We diagnose psychological disorders related to academic learning processes. We also design and implement systemic interventions to improve student outcomes.
Who does an LEP Serve?
LEP’s are often called into IEP teams (Individualized Education Program) to provide guidance. LEP’s often work with neuro divergent learners such as students with: ABI, ADHD ASPD, Autism, BPD, Bipolar, Down Syndrome, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Gifted Learners, Epilepsy, Misophonia, NPD, OCD, ODD, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Sensory Processing, TIC Disorders…
What does an LEP do?
There’s never a dull moment- one of the reasons why I love my work! You could find an LEP doing any number of the following (often doing more than one of these at once!):
- Conducting standardized assessments
- Conducting informal assessments (interviews, observations, reviewing records)
- Collecting data
- Collaborating & consulting
- Providing research based interventions (e.g. counseling, academic, study skills, behavioral)
- Designing curriculum
- Instructional & program design
- Staff training
How can an Educational Psychologist help me?
Have you been hitting a wall with your learning? Know you can do so much more? An LEP can quickly and efficiently:
- Identify learning strengths and weaknesses
- Design a strategy or program and/or provide targeted recommendations for your learning needs
- Keep you accountable until you meet or surpass your goals!
If learning is involved, an LEP can reduce barriers and supercharge your growth!
Are you an educator worried about your students’ dwindling interest?
An LEP partners with you to identify where you are losing them and streamline processes to get you back on track.
Are your employees stagnant?
An LEP tailors training to get results- increasing self-efficacy of employees and company success!
What is the difference between a School Psychologist and an LEP?
An LEP is a school psychologist who has met the criteria and passed a licensing exam from the California Board or Behavioral Sciences to practice privately, outside the school setting. For more information, please visit www.bbs.ca.gov!
How long will it take for an LEP to fix our problems?
Trick question! You were on to it- right?? An LEP won’t fix your problems! If someone is selling you this idea, don’t buy! An LEP will hone in on the problem (and strengths), provide proven skills and strategies and keep you accountable. Learning can be very rewarding, but it requires work. There are no silver bullets in life or in learning!
My Values
Data
Results require data. We need a clear picture of where we’re starting and where we are going. I don’t make any big decisions without looking at the numbers.
Collaboration
While I am a fierce introvert by nature, collaboration is critical for learning. While we go faster alone, we go further together. Effective collaboration requires culturally competent listening and communication skills.
EDventure!
Effective learning requires the ‘just right’ amount of challenge, skill building and fun. It doesn’t have to be a constant, ineffective struggle. Reframe your learning into a grand EDventure to see where your journey can take you!
Let’s Play!
Two Truths & A Lie: Guess which two are true and which is a lie! Send me a message to see if you’re right! Send me your Two Truths and A Lie, along with your social media handle (so I can take an educated guess)!
– I’m a Kung Fu practitioner and instructor!
– I finally learned to ride switch on the snowboard after 15 years!
– I have two dogs and a cat!
