Abstract

School psychologists frequently choose their careers because they want to make a difference. This chapter explores what it means to make an impact or create a legacy in school psychology. The definition of impact and legacy may vary based upon the settings where school psychologists practice. These settings include schools, universities, hospitals, community mental settings, private practice, or advocacy organizations. University-based professionals are often evaluated based upon the quantity and quality of publications, as well as how often they are cited in scholarly works and have graduate students who become faculty in the field. These types of quantitative indicators are not always available in other settings. As such, we provide perspectives of many different school psychologists who have made an impact in their careers. We highlight the legacies of African American professors who contributed to the field while also investigating some of the barriers that women may experience. Lastly, we provide strategies that trainers and practitioners can utilize to develop their own legacies in the field while investigating characteristics of individuals who have created significant impacts and legacies in the field of school psychology.