After a decade of teaching in South Florida and Texas, Amanda Ratigan decided to address a critical need in education by pursuing a master’s degree in school psychology at Florida International University (FIU). Her decision was driven by a growing concern about the shortage of school psychologists.
The shortage Ratigan has observed is backed by data from the National Association of School Psychologists, which reports that during the 2021-22 school year, there was only one psychologist for every 1,130 K-12 students nationwide.
Ratigan’s commitment to the field hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was recently awarded the prestigious Ziff Scholarship, one of nine students in FIU’s School of Education and Human Development to receive this honor. The scholarship will support her attendance at an academic conference where she plans to present research on bullying.
Having spent years working with diverse groups of students, including those with special needs, Ratigan is deeply aware of the challenges young people face. She emphasized the vital role school psychologists can play in students’ lives but noted the barriers created by the current shortage.
The Ziff Scholarship, funded by contributions from the late philanthropist Sanford Ziff, is part of FIU’s ongoing effort to invest in the future of education and mental health support. Aaron Kuntz, Dean of the School of Education and Human Development, highlighted the significance of these scholarships.
FIU’s support of future school psychologists like Ratigan underscores the university’s dedication to addressing critical issues in education and ensuring students receive the mental health resources they need.