Name: Roxas Tumaneng
Position: Classroom Therapist at Think College Now (TCN) Elementary in Oakland
What led you to your current position? Since I was a kid, getting into psychology was my goal because I needed a structured way to understand people. It wasn’t until I had a niece that I really wanted to focus on understanding children and youth within their social and ecological environment. I hoped that what I learned at work would also teach me to be a better uncle. Since working with Seneca (2015), I was familiar with the counseling enriched classroom setting and wanted to continue that as a therapist. So with the support of my supervisor, I worked towards getting into the Seneca MSW @ USC embedded program. Upon graduation, there weren’t any available positions as a classroom therapist throughout Seneca. However, serendipity was on my side when I initially interviewed with All-In! for another position. That was when I also got to meet Amy who was then part of SOAPS and she offered me a position once the program got new contracts. I’ve been a Classroom Therapist at TCN since August.
Fun Fact/Quote: The most I inline skated (aka rollerbladed) in one day was about 6 hours.
What does your average day look like? I spend my first hour of the morning at the therapy office completing logistical work and documentation. Once school starts, I (co)facilitate morning meetings. Then I’m either having individual therapy, group therapy, am in the classroom, or am in my office planning for therapy. When I can, I like to come back in the classroom for check-out at the end of the day and then check-out as a team once the student’s have left. Then if needed, I reach out to necessary people and/or complete work at the therapy office.
Why do you do this work? I continue to do this work because it fills my cup. I’m part of an amazing team and program committed to each student’s success. I appreciate the collaboration, the norms of communication, and the routine you get in a school setting. I learn so much from the student’s insight and play. It’s a privilege and purposeful challenge to work with the clients and their family about meeting the student’s needs.
Position: Classroom Therapist at Think College Now (TCN) Elementary in Oakland
What led you to your current position? Since I was a kid, getting into psychology was my goal because I needed a structured way to understand people. It wasn’t until I had a niece that I really wanted to focus on understanding children and youth within their social and ecological environment. I hoped that what I learned at work would also teach me to be a better uncle. Since working with Seneca (2015), I was familiar with the counseling enriched classroom setting and wanted to continue that as a therapist. So with the support of my supervisor, I worked towards getting into the Seneca MSW @ USC embedded program. Upon graduation, there weren’t any available positions as a classroom therapist throughout Seneca. However, serendipity was on my side when I initially interviewed with All-In! for another position. That was when I also got to meet Amy who was then part of SOAPS and she offered me a position once the program got new contracts. I’ve been a Classroom Therapist at TCN since August.
Fun Fact/Quote: The most I inline skated (aka rollerbladed) in one day was about 6 hours.
What does your average day look like? I spend my first hour of the morning at the therapy office completing logistical work and documentation. Once school starts, I (co)facilitate morning meetings. Then I’m either having individual therapy, group therapy, am in the classroom, or am in my office planning for therapy. When I can, I like to come back in the classroom for check-out at the end of the day and then check-out as a team once the student’s have left. Then if needed, I reach out to necessary people and/or complete work at the therapy office.
Why do you do this work? I continue to do this work because it fills my cup. I’m part of an amazing team and program committed to each student’s success. I appreciate the collaboration, the norms of communication, and the routine you get in a school setting. I learn so much from the student’s insight and play. It’s a privilege and purposeful challenge to work with the clients and their family about meeting the student’s needs.
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