Monday, March 20, 2023
The Wisconsin School Psychologist of the Year for 2023 is Brooke Soupenne, Ed. S., of Milwaukee Public Schools, who has been serving district students for 13 years. Soupenne won the award March 2 during the annual spring convention of the Wisconsin School Psychologists Association.
"She is a fierce advocate and leader for equity and anti-racism," said Jean Gatz, manager of School Psychology and Allied Health Services for MPS.
In addition to serving as a bilingual school psychologist and mentoring newly hired school psychologists, Soupenne is the co-facilitator of School Psychologists for Anti-Racism and Cultural Equity (SPACE). SPACE was formed at MPS in the 2017–18 school year; Soupenne was one of the original think tank members who started the group.
“I just really love working with and serving the children and families in Milwaukee,” Soupenne said.
Soupenne, who is active in the Wisconsin School Psychologists Association, is in her fourth year as association secretary and recently was elected to be a delegate to the National Association of School Psychologists. That term begins in July.
"We deeply appreciate how she is not afraid to challenge the status quo to make the world a better place for our students. She has made us all better school psychologists," Gatz said.
MPS has a team of about 160 school psychologists who support student learning and well-being. They regularly engage with students to promote confidence, reduce risk-taking, and help children and teens navigate daily challenges. School psychologists assist with special education evaluations, violence prevention programs, and emerging needs of students and families.
Soupenne now will advance as Wisconsin's finalist for the National School Psychologist of the Year.
Soupenne, shown second from left in the image above, was accompanied at the state convention March 3 by Jean Gatz, manager of School Psychology and Allied Health Services, and by Christina Monfre and Myah Herro, supervisors in the Office of School Psychological Services.