Dr. Turner is currently with the Division of Student Support, Academic Enrichment, and Educational Policy at the Maryland State Education Association. Prior to this role she served as a school psychologist in Baltimore City Public Schools. Dr. Turner’s colleagues remarked on her mentorship, noting that she would ask meaningful, insightful questions that reflected her expansive, big-picture and long-term focus. As a practitioner Dr. Turner supervised interns and put systems in place to improve the entire mentorship system for betterment of all interns. Further, she effectively communicated with co-leaders on teaching professional development courses, bringing focus to equity, inclusion, diversity, and overall professional improvement. In Baltimore City Dr. Turner embraced leadership roles as a presenter to staff, facilitator of the district’s school psychology diversity advancement team, President of the local school psychology organization, and the state’s Delegate to NASP. After receiving the Maryland School PSychologist of the year award, Dr. Turner went on to be awarded with the 2022 National Association of School Psychologist (NASP) School Psychologist of the year award.

Ms. Dove is an Organizational Specialist and Lobbyist in the Government Relations Department at the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA). Ms. Dove has demonstrated a pattern of excellence in her job, going above and beyond the call in advocating for the needs of Maryland students, families, schools, and school-based professionals. Ms. Dove has worked with MSPA members and advocates to pass legislation that requires the Maryland State Department of Education to create a model plan for trauma-informed schools. Further, she worked closely with MSPA to make sure that the development of that legislation benefited from the expertise of school psychologists in the state, drafting and passing legislation related to the improvement of reading screening, assessment, and intervention. Ms. Dove has also worked on the Mental Health and Trauma Informed Care Advisory Committee, which is part of the MSEA President’s Council and works with the MSEA President to coordinate this effort, which is focused on advancing appropriate mental health policy recommendations to the MSEA Board of Directors. Ms. Dove has focused the group on working through a lens of social justice and equity throughout this process. She is a champion for equitable mental and behavioral health resources, advocating for socially just policies, and fighting to ensure Maryland’s students and families have access to necessary care.

Ms. Simpson is an 8th grade Mathematics Teacher in Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS). Ms. Simpson is a leader in the school, advocating for student positive behavioral supports, and modeling what a trauma-informed classroom looks like. As well, she coordinates and leads the annual Lip Sync Battle as a very fun part of a PBIS initiative involving students and staff. She is the President of the school PTSA and helps lead initiatives to support students, staff, and family-relationships with the school.  Ms. Simpson is a problem solver both in and out of the classroom. She provides support for School Psychological services (e.g., completing rating scales), listens to the ideas and concerns of School Psychologists (e.g., through consultation), advocates for School Psychologists (e.g., provides support attesting to the usefulness of this School Psychologist), supports School Psychologists’ ethical principles (e.g., by demonstrating this in her everyday classroom setting), and supports innovative School Psychology practices (e.g., through collaboration).

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