Hema O’Shea, School Psychologist, Room 29A

Hello!  My name is Hema O’Shea and this is my third year here at Lafayette as the school psychologist.  This school year is unique in that I will be here at Lafayette all five days to support our students and the Lafayette community.  I am very excited to be here!

First, a little bit of background on me: I am a native Washingtonian, born and raised in the capitol city of Olympia where my parents still reside.  I moved up to Seattle for university and have been here since.  After attending the University of Washington and earning my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, I worked at Seattle Children’s (formerly Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center) as an intake coordinator for the Departments of Child Psychiatry and Social Work.  I returned to the University of Washington for graduate school and earned my Master of Education degree in School Psychology.  My internship was spent here within the Seattle Public Schools where I had a wealth of training between five sites: John Stanford International School, Lowell Elementary, Loyal Heights Elementary, the Homeschool Resource Center, and the Residential Consortium at McGraw and Ryther Child Centers.

In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis and golf, running, and practicing yoga.  I participate in a fun sports league for adults playing kickball, dodgeball, and softball…..all to keep me young at heart!  In addition to education and sports, my passions include volunteering and giving back to the community.  I am active in a young professionals group in Seattle as the Service Director where I coordinate volunteer events such as helping out at food banks, local park restoration, and working with youth shelters.  On any given day you are likely to find me with friends trying out new restaurants, catching up over coffee, going to a show or movie, or simply playing outside!

I very much look forward to working with the students, families, and staff at Lafayette.  My services include individual and group counseling, problem solving with students and peers, consultation with teachers and parents, assessment for special education services, and participation in the Student Intervention Team (SIT).  Additionally, I will be one of three instructors teaching the Roots of Empathy program to our third grade students this year.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me.  Feel free to contact me with any further questions via email at hyoshea@seattleschools.org or phone at 206.252.9542.