Sandee Sept, social services coordinator at Central School, can confidently say there has never been a "typical" day in the last 14 years.

She spends some days giving learning assessments to students; at other times there are emotional evaluations to conduct; and most of the time things just aren't scheduled and her job is driven by the needs within the school.

"That is what keeps it interesting," she says with a grin.

Sept describes her job in general, as supporting the students, staff and the whole system, so that successful learning can take place.

This week is National School Psychology Awareness Week, designed to promote the work school psychologists do to help children achieve their best.

Sept's role is two-fold, serving as the school psychologist and the social services coordinator. She is one of 14 in the district addressing the needs of children on youth-related issues such as learning and academic achievement, behavior and discipline, problem solving and social skills, mental health and family.

The U.S. Surgeon General estimates that one in five children and adolescents will experience a significant mental health problem during their school years. Those issues can create learning barriers and interfere with children's developments, relationships and physical health, according to the National Association of School Psychologists.

Marvin Williams, special education administrator for the district, said in some ways those in positions such as Sept, act as assistant principals because they are typically the first contact for teachers.

Their roles are "invaluable," he said. "They have insight to the children."

"Working with Sandee is a real pleasure," said Williams. "She always has a way of telling you what you want to hear and backs it up with valuable information."

He said not only is she always finding ways to improve herself but is generous in sharing with that information others during monthly meetings for the social service coordinators.

Central School Principal Merry Fahrman said her role with every group within the school is instrumental.

Sept often can be seen either eating lunch with a student in the cafeteria or helping them with a game so they are successful working with peers on the playground, Fahrman said.

She works with staff developing strategies to help children learn including pulling parents into the tasks of what the school is doing, Fahrman adds.

"She will tell us -- students won't remember everything we teach them but, they will remember how we make them feel," Fahrman said of Sept.

Sept helps students with friendship issues, anger management issues and coping with family changes. She sees students for some short term counseling on specific issues and needs. She visits classrooms giving talks about conflict resolution and bullying.

She says the problems that students face today are for the most part the same as they always have been.

"The issues we see are always a reflection of society -- the school is no different," Sept said. "The difference is the system that is more sophisticated perhaps or skilled in how we respond."

Sept has found over the years that Central Elementary sees a significant transient population, although she points out that there are those who have been consistent.

It is because of those students starting and leaving the school throughout the year that she decided to start a "new kids group." The group meets over lunch and helps students within the building become acquainted and get comfortable with their surroundings.

She says she began the group as a way for students to become "assimilated into the community of learning."

Fahrman says Sept helps identify and celebrate the good things happening in the school.

"She is an incredible resource to all of us," Fahrman said. "All of us have learned from her personally and professionally."

Sept, a native Montanan, believes it is the skilled teachers in the building that enables her to do her job well, she said. Everyone works to teach the whole child, she adds.

"This is a good building with a committed staff, not only skilled, but compassionate, caring and responsive to kids," she said.

Sept is driven by working to reduce barriers for a child's learning and to help adults understand their needs, she said. Sometimes, that means conducting assessments on what is interfering with a child's learning.

"Sometimes that results in a child being identified with special education," she said, adding that she supports that process.

A big piece of her work is developing academic and behavioral interventions so students can be more successful with their learning, she said.

"I appreciate the broad role and analytical and critical thinking that goes along with assessments," she said.

The hardest part about her job, Sept says, is "it's never done."

"There are always needs I'd like to address," saying there just isn't enough time to get everything in.

"It's hard to see children -- or adults for that matter -- struggling when learning isn't easy," she said.

The support of the staff helps with that though, she said.

"I'm not doing it alone -- it's a whole team of folks," Sept said.

The gratifying aspect of her job is seeing children who've been struggling with learning and adjustment issues become confident, proud and in charge of their learning, she said.

When asked if she has changed over the past decade and a half from her job, she can only stroke her gray hair and say with a giggle, "I hope so."