Today we’d like to introduce you to Traviana Kazee.
Traviana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey through psychology began in the city of San Bernardino, CA with a particular interest in the brain; and how it is shaped depending on an individual’s ecosystem. The intriguing notion that the intersectionality of a person (e.g., gender, race, religious background, sexual orientation, class, etc.) and how they are perceived (i.e., treated) by society (i.e., part of their ecosystem) shapes their brain by affecting how they think, feel, and behave within society was an added bonus to steer me toward working in the field of education.
Therefore, I sought higher education by pursing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Africana Studies to aid my pursuit in learning about the great muscle known as the brain. During my 4th and last year of pursing my undergraduate degree, a member within my family underwent multiple emergency brain surgeries, and I wanted to know how I could support them and their recovery. It was the fall of 2019 that I was a mentor for the Henrietta Goodwin Scholars program at San Diego State University, that my direct supervisor was a professor within SDSU’s School Psychology Program. Dr. Tonika Green knew that part of my purpose was to pursue a career in a field that felt more proactive than reactive within the field of mental health, I applied to SDSU’s School Psychology program- which at the time I did not know it was fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)- and the rest is history in the making!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
LOL. No, the road was not a smooth one however it is a road that was worthwhile. After reflection, I’ve realized that I’ve grown in ways that I can have only grown in by being tested (i.e., literally and figuratively), living through “sticky situations” and challenges, and being pushed to think in ways that felt counterintuitive of what was the norm for me at the time. For example, learning how to navigate conflict resolution in an appropriate and healthy way proved to be not just a lesson that I received a grade for, but a life skill that has significantly improved my relationships.
The road with potholes, detours, and cracks in it, allowed me to develop and implement a growth mindset that nurtured healthy habits that benefit the longevity of my life. Without a relationship with God and a growth mindset, ain’t no tellin’ where I would be today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently practice as a School Psychologist within a secondary setting (i.e., middle and high school). In my role as a school psychologist, I’m a team member on a special education team, that conducts specific portions of a psychoeducational evaluation (e.g., cognitive assessments, social-emotional measures, adaptive measures) and to determine if a student meets criteria for learning disabilities as highlighted in the Education Code in CA. I also provide Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) to students who have social-emotional and/or behavior challenges that may be a symptom of their learning disability, and affect their access to the general education environment. Also within my role as a school psychologist, I enjoy collaborating with all staff members, as we are all part of the student’s school ecosystem. For example, I am grateful to continue partnering with school counselors to provide psychoeducation about the impacts of bullying, meet with teaching teams to discuss Behavior Intervention strategies, and collaborate with our principals to enhance student academic engagement and school connectedness.
I am not afraid of complexity, in fact, I love puzzles! Oftentimes, a student’s learning disability is not surface level and with the amount of jargon used within this field, can be very confusing and overwhelming for not just parent, but staff members too. I am proud to encompass the skill of sharing assessment results in laymen’s terms so everyone at the table understands the content, so that we can develop a shared understanding and language for how to support the student’s learning needs in schools.
My core values (e.g., integrity, authenticity, collaboration, curiosity, love of learning) are what makes me an invaluable team-member. In a career field that feels very intimidating- where every meeting feels like a meeting of the minds with opposing agendas- I show up as my authentic, curious, and ready to learn being, hoping to keep the meeting stakeholders’ goals aligned while preserving the working relationship. Think softball or baseball, each teammate has a specific and important job on the field and at-bat; however the goal is the same for all players. I approach my profession with the same mindset as being a member on a softball team, with my core values being what sets me apart from others.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love San Diego! There are many amazing places with cultural value, and as a transplant, I’ve only scratched the surface. I thoroughly enjoy journaling and talking with friends at Sunset Cliffs.
What I truly enjoy is the relaxed environment of the counties, that mix with the marine layer. I do not take clean air for granted LOL.
There’s not much to dislike, however I must say, the parking situations are not the best LOL.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_travik/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviana-kazee
- Other: https://linktr.ee/_travik
