Tell us about yourself:

Hi! My name is Favia Becker. I was actually born and raised in Cleveland and now am raising my family here as well. I am married and have six wonderful children ranging in age from 18 to not yet a year old! My husband works at a nursing home as an occupational therapist. We love spending time with family, getting outdoors and visiting the Metroparks, and just enjoying time together since we see how quickly the children grow up.

I am a school psychologist, a job I really enjoy in which no two days are ever the same and the paperwork is always overflowing! I am currently currently working 3 days a week for the Cleveland Public School System and two days a week at a local private school. I initially worked on the west side for Lakewood City Schools for the first five years of my career and have also worked in various private practices completing comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations. I also keep busy running my small health coaching practice (evenings and summer and all through the magic of phone and zoom!). This is something I would have never anticipated, but after losing almost 60 lbs four years ago and focusing on implementing a healthy lifestyle, it has become a passion of mine as well.

How do you support students in northeast Ohio?
I think the role of a school psychologist is varied and literally can change day to day and definitely from student to student. Sometimes my role is very focused on the assessments and trying to better understand the unique strengths and weaknesses of a child. In that way, I feel like my job is kind of like being a detective and looking for clues. I try to really advocate for what is best for each student and also help teachers working with the student to capitalize on strengths and support any weaknesses with specific evidence based recommendations .

At other times, my role is mostly indirect and I am working to help support students by either guiding their teachers to specific interventions, or to helping families obtain services or counseling supports, and also helping collect data to evaluate if a program is effective. Counseling, crisis response and crisis management are also a part of how I support students. Supporting mental health and social emotional needs has always been an area that I have been involved with, but student needs in this area have really increased since March of 2020, as almost everyone in education can probably relate to!

If you have one goal for students or teachers in northeast Ohio, what would it be and why?
Limiting this to one dream is tough! However I really wish that I could somehow help each student understand and believe that almost anything is possible if they are willing to dream, put in the time to acquire knowledge and learn skills, and be creative in how they can shape their own destiny. I really wish each student could believe in themself, develop grit and keep going, despite their circumstances, to persevere.

What would you consider yourself an expert in and how did you gain your expertise?
This is a scary question to answer among educators because I truly believe we are always learning! I was given a wonderful and very unique opportunity early in my career to lead a district in their RTI (response to intervention) initiative. My training at Cleveland State University definitely prepared me for this and I was really lucky to have so many amazing educators to work with and help put this paradigm into place. This really helped me to develop my skills and expertise in understanding the role of intervention, universal screening, curriculum based assessment, data based decision-making, system change, and so many more nuances that are necessary in the process. For those that work in schools that are implementing MTSS /RTI … keep at it! It’s worth it and can have a profound impact on the trajectory of groups of students that are at risk for significant academic or behavioral problems.

What is a school, teacher, group, organization or learning community in northeast Ohio that holds a special place in your heart?
I think that I have been impacted by every single school that I have work then and even if it was a day a week, even just for a year ( as a school psychologist, I may have 2 – 6 schools on my caseload at any given time so the numbers really add up over time!). So even if I haven’t worked at a particular building in over 10 years, when I drive by it still feels like my school. I’m also extremely grateful to be a part of a network of Cleveland area school psychologists who really support each other!

Why are you excited to be part of the #weteachCLE community?
I actually really enjoy Facebook and getting to meet new people with shared interests, even if it is behind a screen, that I might not otherwise meet. As educators working in this area there is a lot we can learn from each other!

What is your favorite space in northeast Ohio?
We absolutely love walking or hiking in so many of the different Metroparks. Creek walking at Sulphur Springs is definitely a favorite summer activity. We recently went to a spot called Jordan’s Creek where there is a very kid and family-friendly outdoor ‘ninja course’ set up with rope climbing and rock walls and ziplining. Everyone really enjoyed!

Share with us your favorite way to combat the Sunday Scaries.
Find a place that you love going to Monday mornings! Also, friend me on Facebook since I do try to share positive and uplifting messages or quotes, that might just brighten your day too!