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- Tom Jenkins - Class of 1991
Alumni Profile
Tom Jenkins
Class of 1991
Tom Jenkins is a school psychologist for the Wilmington, NC public school where he spends his time in a variety of activities. In this capacity, Tom consults with other educators and parents to help develop and implement behavioral and academic intervention plans for students that are having difficulties in school. He also conducts curriculum based assessments with students to assess and follow-up on the utility of various classroom interventions.
Tom also teaches in the undergraduate early education program at Mt . Olive College . In addition, Tom is an educational consultant who contracts with school systems throughout North and South Carolina, Indiana and Virginia . In response to the recent emphasis on standards of learning in public schools, Tom consults with schools to help them integrate more curriculum-based measures of student functioning in the classroom . Instead of schools using standardized testing as the primary measure of student learning, curriculum-based measures are used to collect data on different interventions which teachers place in the classroom (tutoring, phonics training) . The effectiveness of these new tools are then determined on a student-by-student basis . This new model for approaching students’ assessment is called Response to Intervention . It requires a very different skill base for teachers and administrators . Tom is passionate about helping educators to effectively and efficiently integrate their observation skills into their behavior . He enjoys helping educators understand this new individualized approach to improving student learning . Through this consultation business, Tom runs many workshops and conducts staff development training to convey his message . Tom recently published When a Child Struggles in School ( http://search.barnesandnoble.com/BookSearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781599320311&itm=1), a book aimed towards parents who want to find out how to best help their child overcome difficulties, and how to become better informed and more effectively involved in their child’s education plan. Tom wants to “empower parents to participate in helping their struggling child.”
Even with his already prolific career emerging, Tom did not start out in the field of psychology. Entering JMU with the intention of preparing for Medical School, Tom was first involved in psychology and assessment after volunteering with his girlfriend’s aunt (a School Psychologist) to conduct observations of play therapy and assessments. (He later married that girlfriend!) This exposure to the work of a school psychologist motivated Tom to change his focus to an undergraduate major to psychology. During his undergraduate training, Tom worked at a camp at Western State Hospital, where he was able to help patients to develop self-confidence and self-esteem. The next summer, Tom completed an internship at Charter Westbrook Psychiatric Hospital in Richmond, where he interacted with patients and facilitated social skill development among the patients. Tom developed his research skills as an undergraduate student by working in the rat lab of Dr. Larry Crawford. Tom earned his Bachelors degree in 1991, and then enrolled in the School Psychology Master’s program here at JMU. He earned a Masters degree in 1992 and an Ed.S. degree in 1994.
After completing his education, Tom moved to Myrtle Beach and worked as a school psychologist, developing an interest in the new Response to Intervention model. He worked with staff and helped implement this program district-wide. Tom moved back to Virginia and completed his doctorate of education at the University of Virginia in 2003. Since creating the consultation business after receiving his doctorate, Tom has seen interest in the issue of students’ assessment blossom and hopes to see his consulting practice grow to the point at which he can do that work full-time.
Tom advises students to aim for an “eclectic” experience and to resist pre-determined notions regarding the best path to take towards your goals. Tom really values the personal relationships he developed with his professors, and encourages students to get to know one or several professors during activities that occur outside of scheduled classes. If you would like to contact Tom, please reach him at his website, http://educationalconsultationservices.com/default.aspx
