- April 25, 2024
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Students and staff from BTMS and FPC celebrate school psychologist Shoshanah Mercado's selection as a finalist for the School Psychologist of the Year award. Courtesy photo.
BTMS principal Cara Cronk recognizes Shoshanah Mercado's contributions to the school's students. Courtesy photo
Tuesday, Nov. 9, started out as just another day at Buddy Taylor Middle School for school psychologist Shoshanah Mercado.
She was radioed down to the cafeteria, told a student needed to see her, which is a regular occurrence for Mercado and the other psychologists who work for Flagler County Schools.
When she arrived, she was blown away. The room was festooned with balloons and candy. Buddy Taylor students and staff were waiting for her. Flagler Palm Coast High School administrators and FPC student government representatives were also there to celebrate.
“I thought, if this isn’t what winning feels like, I don’t know what is,” Mercado said.
Mercado was one of six finalists selected for the Florida Association of School Psychologists’ most prominent award – School Psychologist of the Year.
“I thought, if this isn’t what winning feels like, I don’t know what is.”
SHOSHANAH MERCADO, FASP School Psychologist of the Year finalist.
Another finalist – Charles Eccleston of Brevard Public Schools – was announced as the winner at the FASP annual conference, which was on a Zoom call Nov. 4.
But that did not stop students and staff from Mercado’s two schools from celebrating.
FPC Assistant Principal Kiera Crawford told her, “We’ve been planning this for over a month.”
“It's so indescribable to be recognized not just by peers in your profession, but everyone in our district. It's almost overwhelming to see that,” Mercado said. “It’s difficult to be in education these days, so to get that appreciation for what you do is extra sweet.”
John Seaton, the school district’s senior psychologist, nominated Mercado for the award.
“When students are in crisis, Shoshanah puts aside anything else … to help that student resolve the crisis or get the additional treatment/intervention he or she needs,” Seaton wrote in his recommendation.
Buddy Taylor principal Cara Cronk also filled out a recommendation.
“Ms. Mercado has made a huge difference on our campus. (She) assists parents who don’t know where to turn by providing them with community resources,” Cronk wrote. “I have worked with numerous school psychologists during my 27 years in education. She is by far the best I have had the privilege of working with.”
Mercado has worked for Flagler Schools since April 2012.
Mercado said sometimes people don’t know what school psychologists do, but the school district understands the importance of their role in supporting students, teachers and parents.
School psychologists perform assessments for students who may need academic or behavior intervention or specialized instruction. They test for learning disabilities, anxiety and depression.
“I have worked with numerous school psychologists during my 27 years in education. (Mercado) is by far the best I have had the privilege of working with.”
CARA CRONK, Buddy Taylor Middle School principal
In addition to the students she’s assigned to, Mercado will counsel students who come to her and want to talk about their problems. Teachers will ask her to reach out to students who are homeless or suffering from trauma.
In 2015, the district limited each psychologist's responsibility to one school.
“In the state of Florida that’s very rare,” she said, “But it’s something our district felt strong about with the mental health needs of our students.”
Because the district is short-staffed by two psychologists, Mercado has two schools again – FPC and BTMS. But she said the district is trying to fill those positions.
The district is also working with mental health counselors and community providers, matching up families with their insurance providers or finding help for those who have no insurance or are underinsured, she said.
“There is a lot we’ve done to beef up mental health support in the last few years,” Mercado said. “How amazing is it to be school psychologist? It’s a dream career for me. I think we’re valuable in so many ways for kids.”
