STUDENTS
Current Students
FIRST-YEAR TRAINEES
Ana Sofia C. Ibarrola
Ana Sofia is a first-year graduate student in the School Psychology Master’s program and the TRACSS program. She graduated from UT Austin in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. While she was an undergraduate student, she worked for iEducate, a nonprofit organization that serves low-income/Title I schools. It was during this time that she developed a passion for advocating for children in school settings. As an undergraduate research assistant for Project SEED, Ana Sofia was part of the Ojeda Program, which designs activities aimed at helping bilingual students at Ojeda Middle School feel more confident in their language brokering skills. After graduating, she worked as a research coordinator at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in a pediatric neuropsychology lab. In this role, she gained valuable experience conducting cognitive assessments with patients ranging from 2 months to 22 years old. Ana Sofia is thrilled to be returning to UT Austin to complete her graduate studies through the TRACSS program and looks forward to be able to serve her community as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) in the near future.
Luke Sawyer
Luke Sawyer is a first-year graduate student in the School Psychology Master’s program and the TRACSS program. He earned dual B.A. degrees in Journalism–New Media and Political Science from Baylor University. Before beginning graduate studies, Luke worked as a Teen Advocacy Specialist with CASA of Travis County, supporting children in the child welfare system and advocating for their educational outcomes and long-term stability. He also served as an English Language Development teacher at KIPP Northeast Denver, where he supported multilingual learners through inclusive, language-focused instruction. Luke is passionate about promoting equity in schools and looks forward to becoming a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) to continue serving students and families.
Mario Alberto II Gomez Elizondo
Mario is a first-year graduate student in the School Psychology Master’s program and in the TRACSS program. He earned an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Austin Community College in 2022 and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2024. Since 2023, he has worked as a Research Associate with the Family Asthma Study, where he conducts assessments and contributes to research comparing two asthma management programs for Latino children ages 8–14 and their parents. Looking forward, Mario seeks to learn more on how school psychologists can help children in rural areas thrive.
SECOND-YEAR TRAINEES
Amyah A. Boyd
Amyah is a second-year graduate student. She received her Bachelors of Art in Psychology with a minor in Addiction Treatment from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2022. In Reno, she completed a practicum training at Bristlecone Family Resource Center, where she was a group facilitator for adults in a drug rehabilitation clinic. During her last semester of undergrad, she studied abroad in Costa Rica where she lived with a host family and took classes in Spanish. After leaving Costa Rica, she moved to Los Angeles, California where she began working as a substitute teacher. She later became a Paraprofessional, which introduced her to the field of special education, and led her to pursue a degree in School Psychology. Amyah is excited to continue to grow both professionally and academically as she begins her second year of graduate school and her first year as a practicum student in Del Valle.
Julia M. Santos
Julia is a second-year graduate student in the School Psychology Master’s program and the TRACSS program. She is currently a graduate teaching assistant for an undergraduate Statistics course. Julia has previously worked with children as an after school Instructional Assistant, a Montessori Assistant Teacher, and a summer camp Assistant Site Lead for Thinkery. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Child Learning and Development. During Julia’s undergraduate years at the UT Dallas, she participated in research investigating parent-child interactions for at-risk preschoolers at the Children and Families Lab. Julia looks forward to further learning about how school psychologists can help children succeed.
Luisa Acevedo
Luisa Acevedo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education from Texas Tech University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2022. Her teaching career has been driven by a passion for inclusive education, with experience as both an Early Childhood Teacher in the Austin area and a Special Education Teacher at Austin ISD. During her time in the classroom, she was recognized with prestigious honors such as Teacher of the Year in 2021 and Teacher of Promise in 2023. Luisa’s expertise extends to the application of Applied Behavior Analysis, developing and implementing personalized Individualized Education Programs, and creating individualized positive reinforcement strategies to support student success in the classroom. Luisa is excited to join the TRACSS program at UT Austin to pursue her Master’s in School Psychology, where she will continue her journey of supporting students educational and psychological development. Known for her strong problem-solving skills, data analysis abilities, and dedication to student well-being, Luisa is eager to further her impact as she prepares to become a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology.
Interns
Callie Strickland
Callie is a third-year graduate student in the School Psychology Master’s program and the TRACSS program. Callie is an accomplished educator with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bilingual Education from Texas A&M University (2015). Her passion for public education has taken her on a journey spanning diverse classrooms, from teaching Pre-K through 6th grade in Madrid, Spain, to her former role as a 2nd-grade Dual Language teacher in Austin ISD. Throughout her career, Callie has demonstrated strong leadership skills, serving as a grade level team lead from 2020 to 2023. Her dedication and excellence in the classroom were recognized when she was honored as Teacher of the Year at McBee Elementary School in 2022. Beyond the classroom, Callie has also made a positive impact in her community by serving as a local Girl Scout troop leader and providing valuable Spanish tutoring to high school students. After two years of coursework, professional development trainings, and practicum, Callie is thrilled to embark on her internship in Del Valle ISD.
Isabela Carson
Isabela is a first-year graduate student in the TRACSS program, and is working towards her Master’s in School Psychology. Her experience in both education and research has prepared her for work as a scientist-practitioner. She has worked as classroom aid at both the pre-school and elementary level, and has additional work experience in summer recreation programs with the City of Austin. As an undergraduate at Trinity University, Isabela contributed to biology research in Michele Johnson’s lab and co-authored a paper on the effects of nocturnal light exposure on green anoles in Physiology and Biology. She looks forward to expanding her understanding of psychological research and practice during her time at UT.
Jasmine Battie
Jasmine is a dedicated graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a Master’s/Specialist degree in School Psychology and a TRACSS trainee. Throughout her career, Jasmine has focused on helping individuals with various developmental and behavioral challenges from very diverse backgrounds, with a special emphasis on autism spectrum disorder. Jasmine has previous practicum experience working at Harris County Juvenile Detention Center and has also held roles as an Outpatient Case Manager in elementary schools, Behavioral Health Specialist, Registered Behavior Therapist, and currently as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Her background includes a Master of Science degree in juvenile forensic psychology and certification in applied behavior analysis. Jasmine has had the privilege of conducting assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, providing evidence-based treatment, and implementing behavioral interventions to help youth with autism and other developmental disabilities thrive. Additionally, she has trained and supervised therapists, while providing essential guidance to families on skill acquisition techniques and behavior reduction strategies. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive plans and facilitate smooth discharges and transitions for clients has also been a vital part of her work. Jasmine plans to continue enhancing her skills and helping youth as she works towards becoming a LSSP and as a member of TRACSS.
Graduates
Ana Serrano
Ana graduated from the Master’s in School Psychology and the TRACSS fellowship. Her passion for entering the School Psychology field stems from a strong desire to facilitate appropriate assessments and interventions for students, thereby enhancing their learning outcomes and overall well-being. She is deeply committed to destigmatizing and diversifying mental health interventions for young individuals, and she believes that TRACSS will play a crucial role in helping me achieve these objectives. During her initial year as a graduate student, she had the privilege of working as a graduate assistant at the esteemed Pricilla Pond Fawn Child & Family Laboratory. This experience allowed her to apply evidence-based teaching strategies that fostered effective learning and skill development. Additionally, she contributed as a research assistant in Dr. Sarah Schoffstall’s lab, where she collaborated with a team in the development and translation of a survey exploring the correlation between family communication strategies and adjustment in pediatric cochlear implant recipients. This involvement provided valuable insights into the responsibilities of a researcher and how to be effective in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Her practicum at Del Valle, had her working closely with her supervisor to offer support to students, parents, and staff within the district. As a full-time school psychologist employed at DVISD, she is currently contributing her skills and knowledge to create a positive impact on the educational and mental well-being of the school community.
C. Janeth Juarez
Janeth completed her school psychology practicum training at Del Valle ISD during the 2022-2023 school year. She provided counseling and assessment services to elementary and middle school students and grew fond of the DVISD community. During her practicum training, Janeth assisted her supervisor, Dr. Ivonne Estrella, in the development and implementation of a social-emotional learning skills program for diverse middle school students and their parents. She found fulfillment in providing mental health services to students and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Janeth also worked for the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program as a graduate assistant. During her time with TCHATT, she helped connect Texas students to long-term mental health agencies, recognizing the positive impact that accessible mental health care has on public school students. Additionally, Janeth had the opportunity to participate as a graduate research assistant in the Pediatric Coping and Language (PCL) Lab with Dr. Erin Rodriguez, where she worked on a project aimed to address health disparities experienced by the Hispanic community. This experience provided Janeth with a comprehensive understanding of the research process and heightened her awareness of the needs of the Hispanic community. Janeth is currently employed full-time as a school psychologist at DVISD and serving the mental health needs of several students and families.
Gabriela Trejo
Gabriela completed her school psychology practicum training in the University of Texas Charter School System during the 2022-2023 school year. Here she had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of students, ranging from elementary school children in a traditional charter school setting, to high school students living in residential treatment centers. Under the supervision of Julie Joesel, LSSP, Gabriela had the opportunity to assess, evaluate, and counsel students across a range of ages. During her time here, Gabriela grew and strengthened her skills as a School Psychology student. Additionally at UT, Gabriela had the opportunity to assist in Dr. Sarah Kate Bearman’s research lab, LEAP Lab where she assisted in a research project that targeted high-risk families aimed to promote positive parenting practices. Gabriela worked as an intern at DVISD, serving both elementary and middle school students. Gabriela is currently employed full-time as a school psychologist at DVISD and looks forward to providing evidence-based mental health services to students and families in need.