HUDSON, N.H. -- The Hudson School District continues to spotlight its wonderful faculty and staff, as it features Hudson Memorial School Psychologist, Ms. Kivett. She was recently honored as the nomination for the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators (NHASEA) "Emerging Leader" representing the South-Central Region and she will be recognized for her accomplishment on June 14 at NHASEA's monthly membership meeting.
Q: How long have you been a school psychologist and how long have you been in the education field?
A: I have been a school psychologist for the HSD for 8 years. Prior to Hudson, I worked as an intern in Latham, New York for one year before moving to New Hampshire where I got my first job at Hudson Memorial School and never left!
Q: How did you become interested in psychology?
A: Ever since I was little, I always wanted to pursue a career as a police officer. I attended Alfred University for undergraduate school and during that time, completed a 3-year internship with the Alfred Police Department. During my work here, I realized I would often feel empathetic for people and ask questions about how they got to where they are today. I quickly realized I wanted to help, rather than be the one to give the consequences for behavior. When I began taking psychology courses, I realized this was where my passion was. When I learned about school psychology specifically, it was exactly what I was looking for, helping children learn about their personal strengths and weaknesses, ways to tackle obstacles, and teaching them the skills that will help facilitate their future success.
Q: What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about what you do?
A: To be honest, there are so many parts of my job that are rewarding! The best feeling is when students and their families reach out to me years later with updates on where they are today. Another major reward is when I have tested a student and reviewed the results with them only to see a huge sigh of relief because they learned about themselves and got an answer as to why school feels so hard for them. Children can often identify that school is hard, but they do not necessarily understand what makes their learning style different until they go through testing. Working with children and figuring out the “pieces to their puzzle” is one of my favorite parts of the job.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of school hours?
A: Other than being a full-time mom to a wonderful 8-year-old, I am an avid softball player. I play travel ball for both coed and women’s USSSA leagues throughout the year where I get to travel to Florida to play in the USSSA Worlds Tournament each fall/winter. I am an assistant coach/pitching coach for my daughters 8U softball team during the spring season. Other hobbies I enjoy include traveling internationally with my family (Greece, Italy, Caribbean, etc.), hiking, bowling, and spending time with family and friends.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about working at HMS?
A: I have to say what I love the most about HMS is the people and overall environment. Everyone does an amazing job of picking each other up during difficult times and difficult cases. There really hasn’t been a time where I did not feel supported by HMS administration, and by the HSD director of special services, Rachel Borge. If I ever need help or advice, it doesn’t matter if it is during the day or after school hours, they have made themselves available. I also love the awkwardness and quirkiness of the middle school age and being a person students can go to as they are on the journey in figuring out who they are and who they want to be!