Willem Van Rooyen
Educational Psychologists work with students and the adults who teach and support them to find out how they learn and process information and look for ways to improve their performance. This includes looking at all areas that affect learning outcomes – neurological and physical factors, learning process, learning difficulties, emotional issues, attitudes, motivation, self-regulation, behaviour and self-esteem. An educational psychologist can oversee assessments to clarify a student’s levels of functioning and need. They will also work with any students who may be in need of support to restore, maintain and promote mental health and well-being.
How can educational psychology help a teacher/support staff? An educational psychologist supports teachers by providing them with the space to sit and reflect about particular students and perhaps offer different ways of helping them to problem-solve around individual and systemic factors within their setting.