This year the Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education grant allowed Hastings High to get a new school psychologist, Kimberly Benorden.
“I think the grant is for three years. I was strictly looking for this area. I wanted to be a school psychologist in Hastings…I have family here [in Hastings], and I wanted to be closer,” Benorden said.
Before coming to Hastings High, Benorden was a school psychologist at Walthill Public School.
“I wanted to work with kids in the school system, and I figured that I could reach out more to kids this way,” Benorden said.
Walthill was a Native American reservation with about 400 students and grades ranged from K-12.
“I was nervous, I didn’t know what to expect, and Hastings has more kids and a bigger population,” Benorden said.
Along with being a school psychologist, Benorden’s goal for this year is to build bonds since it is her first year in Hastings.
“My goal is to build relationships with the staff and to develop a system for myself because it [Hastings High] is bigger than my last school and goes much faster,” Benorden said.
Benorden’s office is located in the social studies wing on the second floor. Her room number is 258, and she is here to help students with any problems they may have.
“Emailing and contacting the office are ways you can contact me,” Benorden said.
