Psychologist honored in CVUSD
By Heather Milo
Acorn Staff Writer

LISA ADAMS/T.O. Acorn TRUE DEDICATION--Lucy Ableser is a psychologist who serves Conejo Valley Unified School District. She recently won an honor for her service to local children.

Hard work in the back rooms of special education was brought to light recently when the Ventura County Association of School Psychologists (VCASP) bestowed a meritorious service award on Lucy Ableser, a psychologist for Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD).

Ableser is one of two such honored psychologists in Ventura County this year.

According to VCASP awards chairwoman Linda Vandaveer, Ph.D, Ableser has reached out to many elements of the communityinvolved din special education during her career.

"In each of the schools she serves, Ableser has developed the trust and positive working relationships with administrators and staff that are necessary to provide an effective level of service to students and one in which the staff is receptive to her ideas, suggestions and leadership," said Vandaveer.

Ableser works as an advocate for students. She compiles thorough evaluations on the students she works with, and provides suggestions on strategies, interventions and services for them.

This strategy directly affects each student’s educational performance—a job at which Ableser excels, according to Vandaveer. Ableser is skilled at anticipating problems and issues, according to Vandaveer. And by working with the individual education planning team, Ableser helps provide a tailored plan for each of her students.

Ableser was nominated for the award by her supervisor, CVUSD associate director of special education Jack Bannon. She also received the endorsements of others.

Bannon was pleased to nominate Ableser for the award, and said that she carries a large and varied case load. "Ms. Ableser has provided exemplary service to students, teachers, administrators, parents and to the community and profession at large," he said.

Ableser is busy. In the last seven years, she’s worked at three CVUSD campuses: Conejo Elementary School, Redwood Middle School and Conejo Valley High School. This year, she’ll primarily work between the first two, shuttling back and forth.

Problem-solving is a big part of Ableser’s job and she enjoys it. She works with students with small problems or big ones.

One minute, she might be working with a child who doesn’t do homework. The next minute, she could be dealing with a student who’s suicidal.

Her work is neither repetititve nor boring.

Ableser is completing her eighth year with CVUSD. She works primarily with special education students.

"I think we’re a real team in our district," she said, referring to both staff members at individual schools and those at the district office. "It’s really important (to be a team) and it helps a lot."

It’s also meaningful, she said, to share accomplishments with colleagues.

Regarding the recent recognition, she said she was surprised, thankful and thrilled. "I knew nothing about it," she said.

VCASP is a professional organization that, Ableser said, provides exceptional workshops to keep psychologists updated on the latest in special education issues.