ISPA Elections

Currently, I serve as chair of the Cal Catterral Financial (CCF) Aid Fund Committee and editorial board member of the International Journal of School and Educational Psychology.

To continue my support to the mission of ISPA in improving healthy development and quality of life for children globally, I commit to take on a leadership role that can further contribute in making ISPA a financially robust organization. Thus, I am deeply honored to be a candidate for the position of ISPA Treasurer. I bring to this leadership role a wealth of experiences that will help me perform the duties and responsibilities successfully with abiding qualities of collaboration, integrity, precision, and keen eye for details. First, before immigrating to USA, I served as treasurer of the Psychological Association of the Philippines for almost five years, with steady growth in finances throughout my stint. Second, I am presently the treasurer of the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists with duties that cut across maintaining financial resources from subgrants, membership, conferences, and other sources. In addition, I have familiarity with policies and regulations for non-profit entities as well as mechanisms for checking and balancing of finances. Third, as CCF chair for years, I have been working closely with the ISPA treasurer to allocate funds reasonably and equitably among recipients.

Given the chance to be elected as Treasurer, I will endeavor to administer the ISPA accounts with honesty and transparency and to explore avenues for sustainable financial growth of ISPA.

As co-editor of the WGR, I often work closely with the current ISPA Secretary and communicate with the Executive Committee and Central Office. It has been enjoyable to learn more about the history and the inner workings of our Association.
The position of ISPA Secretary is a good fit for me because of my desire for the role, my personability, and my requisite skill set. I am detail-oriented, have good organizational and note-taking skills, and have a creative side, as well. I am also a hard worker, resourceful, and collaborative. You will have my full commitment to doing the best job possible and hope to be a great asset to the Executive Committee.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,
Elana T. Hamovitch, M.Ed.

Previous related experience:

• July 2023 – Presidential Citation – 44th ISPA Conference – Bologna, Italy
• 2020 → present – ISPA World*Go*Round, Co-Editor
• 2018 → present – Leader, Cal Aggie Alumni Association – San Diego Network
• 2010 → 2018 – President, Cal Aggie Alumni Association – San Diego Chapter
• 2008 → 2010 – Vice President, Cal Aggie Alumni Association – San Diego Chapter
• 2005 → 2008 – Secretary, Cal Aggie Alumni Association – San Diego Chapter
• 2004 → present – School Psychologist, Grossmont Union High School District
• 2004 → 2019 – Hebrew School Teacher, Temple Emanu-El
• 1996 → 1997 – Secretary of the Jewish Student Union, UC Davis

My active engagement in mental health advocacy and special education, as seen through my contributions to the Children’s Justice Act Task Force and my role as a Racial Equity Advocate, reflects my proactive leadership. Such dedication is validated by my peers, who have entrusted me with leadership positions on several educational executive boards. I pledge to serve with steadfast commitment, ensuring that our board’s actions are recorded with integrity and accuracy. Energized by the possibility of collaborating with our international colleagues, I am eager to contribute to our mission, enhancing our community’s welfare. In presenting my candidacy, I am both confident and hopeful. My unique blend of skills is poised to enrich our board’s esteemed legacy. I am grateful for your consideration and am eager to apply my expertise towards our shared success. Wado/Pidamayaye/Miigwech/Thanks/Gracias/Shukran/ धन्यवाद /Merci/ Tsaug/谢谢/ Ευχαριστώ

Most importantly, ISPA has provided me with the potential of networking and relationship building with exceptional colleagues worldwide.
On professional level, a long career has been gradually paved first by working as a practitioner School Psychologist in applied settings, such as school communities and mental health centers for children and adolescents; then elected as a faculty member in higher education institutions (Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology of the University of Crete – now tenured-since 2017 till the present). At the same time, I have served as the Co-Coordinator of the Division of School Psychology (2019-2022) representing also the Hellenic Psychological Society (HPS) in the General Assembly of ISPA. The scope and activities of the Division are described in a relevant article of the WGR (2021, V9N3). Finally, I was elected as a Convenor (2019-2021) of the Board of Promotion and Prevention of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) on behalf of the Association of Greek Psychologists.
Throughout the aforementioned career path, I have gained a range of insightful administrative and professional experiences, which have contributed to my personal development on qualifications and soft skills closely associated to the position of the Secretary such as communication and organizational skills, team working, planning, and flexibility among others. Likewise, as a potential member of the EC, I aspire to advance the efforts of the Association to promote SP in an inclusive and transnational way. Hence, I would be truly grateful for your support and consideration of my candidacy, and it will be a great honor for me to work collaboratively for the accomplishment of common goals and the vision of ISPA.