By ALAINA VIJ, NICOLE BARNES, ISABELLA CHEUK, EMILY ZHU and QUINN KWEIT
During these challenging times, Jericho’s hard-working and passionate psychologists, Dr. Wendi Goldstein, Dr. Danielle Largotta-Smith and Dr. Lisa Haggerty, are avidly seeking ways to improve the mental state and well-being of the Jericho High School community.
While Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Smith both work at Jericho full time, Dr. Haggerty splits her time between Jericho and Long Island Lutheran Middle and High Schools. For this reason, she is not widely known to the student body even though she has been working at Jericho since 2005.
Dr. Haggerty works in the Jericho schools one day a week.
Jericho’s psychologists help students improve their mental health. Instead of focusing on how to remove stress, they want to teach students how to manage it. “Your stress is part of life, there’s no reality in taking that away,” said Dr. Smith.
Furthermore, Jericho’s psychologists are striving to prepare students for success after graduation. Dr. Goldstein said, “One of the goals is to get you guys prepared for life after high school and making sure that you have the skills needed to be able to cope, and to be able to emotionally regulate.”
Dr. Smith, left, and Dr. Goldstein work closely together to assist students with their overall well-being.
While there are many benefits to the job, all three psychologists agree that the relationships they have formed with the students are the best part. Dr. Haggerty said, “I love my job. I get to work with kids all day!”
Outside of school, Dr. Smith, Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Haggerty value the significance of their own mental health. Dr. Smith is very passionate about yoga and has received a license as a yoga instructor. When Dr. Goldstein is not working, she enjoys playing tennis and going on walks. Dr. Haggerty loves to play with her pets and spend time with her family.
Jericho High School’s psychologists continue to make a difference in the district. They are passionate, caring and intelligent women who strive to create a positive environment for the Jericho community.