Tawny McCleon
Working in the field of school psychology has taught Mississippi State Associate Professor Tawny McCleon many things, but the greatest skill she has developed is a passion for helping others.
鈥淚 always have been an advocate for individuals who may not be able to help themselves, but working with students who have academic, behavioral, emotional and social challenges gives you a deeper perspective. It makes you more aware and teaches you not to take your ability to be emotionally stable for granted,鈥 said McCleon, who has taught for the past nine years in the university鈥檚 Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Foundations.
A native of Newton County, McCleon holds a bachelor鈥檚 in educational psychology from Alcorn State University. Along with a master鈥檚 in school psychology/psychometry, she holds an 91传媒 doctorate in educational psychology with emphasis in school psychology and focus in special education.
McCleon has 10 years experience in the field of school psychology with five years each in school and mental health settings. She has served as a case manager and alcohol and drug counselor, as well as a school-based mental health therapist and day treatment coordinator for Weems Community Mental Health Center in Meridian. She also worked as a school psychologist/school psychometrist for the Philadelphia Public School District. Outside of Mississippi, McCleon worked as a licensed specialist in school psychology and crisis interventionist for the Houston Independent School District in Texas.
In 2009, McCleon joined the 91传媒 faculty as an adjunct professor. She has since worked her way up to the rank of associate professor, a role that has enabled her to mentor younger generations of aspiring Bulldog school psychologists.
鈥淲e give our students the opportunity to actually go into schools, so they can see how academic, behavioral, emotional and social deficits impact students鈥 educational performance and ability to function in a school environment,鈥 McCleon said. 鈥淲hen we see that behavior firsthand, we can analyze it and provide administrators and teachers with data-based interventions, so they can better meet students鈥 needs.鈥
鈥淭here鈥檚 a great need for school psychologists in Mississippi,鈥 McCleon continued, 鈥渁nd I love training students to take the skills they are learning in the classroom and use them to serve children and families in our neighboring school districts.鈥
Away from the classroom, McCleon says her passion for mentoring young people is evident at home, where she enjoys spending time with her 15-year-old son, Evan.
鈥淗e will pick where he wants to go to college, but I鈥檓 hoping he鈥檒l be a Bulldog,鈥 she said with a smile.