Meet Darryl

Darryl Murphy (Past-President)

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I have been fortunate enough to spend most of my working career in the Central region, and to stay in one community for all three of my sons to go to school.  In that time, I’ve worked as a School Psychologist, and many other school  positions (Teacher,  School Counsellor, Assistant Principal, Principal) and District positions [Behaviour Support Specialist, Program Specialist, and Senior Education Officer (Student Support Services].  Each of these roles has offered me a different perspective in serving our school communities.  I have always engaged in advocacy efforts for psychologists and psychology services in schools. At present, I am Past-President of the Psychologists in Education (PIE) Special Interest Council as well as a Director with the Association of Psychology in Newfoundland Labrador (APNL).       

Why did you decide to become a School Psychologist?

I planned on being a psychologist since high school, but at that time I did not know we had psychologists in the school system.  I gravitated towards the opportunity to talk with people.  As I continued my university program, I found that I wanted to help people sort out whether they had an exceptionality and how they could help themselves and how others could be supportive so that they were not limited or defined by that exceptionality.  As with many of us, we have personal experience with our family and friends that adds more perspective for the need for strong psychological services in our school system. 

What do you love about being a School Psychologist?

I love that every day is different.  It is great to work in multiple schools, and love working with a variety of students and staff.  I welcome the opportunity to work with students who have school experiences that are difficult, and the detective work of why that is and how to help them (or how they may help themselves with information about themselves).  

A resource you love and want to share:

I regularly use the CADDRA resources as a supplement or alternative to other behaviour resources.  

A favourite quote/affirmation/mantra/saying:

I remember the often-sarcastically noted quote of “Hello, I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”   I like to think I really try to do that.