Dr. Annette Parchment-Pennant - reflecting on 27 years as a school psychologist

In recognition of National School Psychology Week, Dr. Annette Parchment-Pennant reflected on her 27 years as a school psychologist in the Mount Vernon City School District. She has been at Mount Vernon High School since 2000 and worked at Edward Williams School and Cecil H. Parker School prior to that. She is retiring at the end of this school year after a long career of helping students on a daily basis. 

“Dr. Parchment-Pennant has committed 27 years to helping Mount Vernon’s youth, and we are so grateful for her time in the District,” said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. “She made a real impact on students, and her presence at MVHS has been so beneficial for them. I hope that she enjoys her final year here and her well-deserved retirement!” 

Dr. Parchment-Pennant received her undergraduate degree from Lehman College, her master's from New York University, and she received a second master's from Adelphi University as well as a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She also holds a certification in school psychology. She worked in a hospital setting before becoming a school psychologist. 

She started working in the MVCSD because she felt that a school setting was better for her family, and she liked the prospect of working with and helping students. 

“I think my favorite part is actually working with the students,” said Dr. Parchment-Pennant. “Just experiencing their day-to-day ups and downs. For instance, here in the high school I will see students in ninth grade going through whatever ninth graders do, and then in twelfth grade they’re so much more mature. To me it’s just exciting to be on the journey with them.” 

She has found her work with students rewarding and enjoys seeing students improve. She also appreciates seeing a student have so much personal growth that the student and their family recognizes the improvement as well.

She always tries to listen to students and find the best way to guide them through their high school years.

“I think as a psychologist it helps to educate students as to what they’re doing and why and how things could be better,” said Dr. Parchment-Pennant. “Being real with students and trying to understand where they’re coming from, and how it works or doesn’t work for their situation. I try not to sugarcoat things, while of course being respectful. I also try to be very positive. That’s one of the things that I think works. My goal is to try to find the positives in the day to day and build on that, and I think that really works.”

Dr. Parchment-Pennant’s responsibilities as a school psychologist include testing of special education students, counseling, creating behavior plans and consulting with teachers to find the best ways to help students succeed. Sometimes, students will just come to her to talk about their personal situations. She also serves in an instructive role to guide students in their academic journeys.

She feels that she has made great accomplishments during her time in the District. Her connections with students are evident when they see her out in public and approach her, calling her “grandma,” on occasion. She loves hearing what her former students are currently doing with their lives. 

“I think that I was able to really help some students to be better people, not only through the counseling role, but sometimes because I was able to be present when certain decisions about their education were made,” said Dr. Parchment-Pennant. “There are times where I was able to say something that I think made a difference in the projection of their academic career.”

At times, Dr. Parchment-Pennant has collaborated with school psychologists at elementary schools to discuss students that were entering MVHS. She worked with them to ensure that she was aware of how to help the students and any things that she needed to know about them. 

She also collaborates with teachers to ensure the students she works with are successful in class. 

“I think I have really been impressed with the teachers; I think they’re phenomenal,” said Dr. Parchment-Pennant. “I really think that they go above and beyond working with students. Not just the special education teachers, the general education teachers too because they are called upon to make modifications and adjustments for students with disabilities who are in their classes with general education students. And they do it. They do a fantastic job, so I’m just always impressed. They’re always very supportive, very helpful and very collaborative, so I have always had a wonderful experience here.” 

Dr. Parchment-Pennant is looking forward to her retirement in June of 2025, and she believes she has achieved great things working with students in the Mount Vernon City School District.