Biography
LaShawn Summerour is excited to join the Alliant community and is committed to preparing future school psychologists through ethical, evidence-based, and reflective practice. She brings over 20 years of professional experience in school-based practice within a suburban Southern California school district, supporting students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs through collaborative and data-informed school psychology practices. Her career in education began as an instructional aide at the elementary school she once attended while completing her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego. Initially majoring in political science with plans to attend law school, her experiences working with students led her to shift her academic focus to sociology, driven by a desire to better understand and support others. This shift ultimately inspired her to pursue graduate training in school counseling.
While completing her graduate studies, she was introduced to the field of school psychology by a faculty mentor, which led her to transition into the profession. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UC San Diego and a Master’s degree in School Psychology from National University. In addition to a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Psychology, she also holds a PPS Credential in School Counseling.
Throughout her career, she has been primarily assigned to the middle school level while also supporting psychologists and students across all grade levels. In addition to direct service delivery, she has served as an intern coordinator, supervised school psychology interns, and is a member of her district’s School Attendance Review Board (SARB), ensuring that both academic and mental health needs are thoughtfully considered and addressed. Her extensive professional experience informs her teaching, allowing her to connect coursework to real-world school psychology practice and support the development of future practitioners.