Faculty Profile: Amy Patenaude

“Kids Have Big Feelings”

Amy Patenaude, School Psychologist/ Learning Support Specialist at St. John’s, represents a key part of the school’s focus on the whole child’s development – emotional and social as well as academic. This is particularly important in the midst of the pandemic, with mental health becoming a larger concern for children, says Amy.

“Kids have big feelings,” Amy emphasizes. “And sometimes they don’t know how to express them in a way that adults understand. I work with students to help them express those. I tell them, there’s no such thing as a wrong emotion – for kids or adults. It’s what you do with your feelings that matters. Helping to problem-solve in those areas is really important, and I help students with that.”

With a BS in psychology, MS and Ed.S., Amy brings a wealth of expertise to the job. She works with students both in intervention and enrichment, depending on the need.

“I’ve had a lot of parents reach out to me,” Amy says. “In the midst of the pandemic, they want to make sure their kids are okay. For parents to have someone to check in with to understand if certain behaviors are normal seems to have been very helpful.”

The position was created following generous support for the Eagles Fund. Upon its creation, the role focused on Pre-K-4 students, but has since expanded to serve all students across St. John’s three campuses.

“In middle school, there’s a need for mental health support - stress management, coping skills, friendship, problem-solving,” Amy says. “In the lower school, I also help with the mental health piece as well as focusing on academics – both intervention and enrichment. At primary, I do a lot of social-emotional and character education.”

Amy is a truly vested Eagle, engaging with the school on almost every level – as a faculty member, parent, church member (she was baptized here), and alumna, having attended the full 10 years as a student. When the time came for Amy and husband Jeff (who were also married here) to pick a school for their kids (kindergartener Heath, and Edie who starts Pre-K in 2021), she says, “We didn’t look anywhere else - of course it was going to be St. John’s!”

She shows her commitment by giving as well. “I see the evidence of what they do with [the donations]. I know that the money I give to the school, no matter how small or large, is directed to what’s best for kids. For instance, from the Wish List, the P.E. coaches requested resources for a Gaga Ball court. They built two of them and it’s so fun! The kids love it. It’s fun to see how things that faculty ask for can be purchased and enrich the experience for the kids.”

Donations like hers are used for facility and technical resources, personnel, professional development, and more.

“But it’s more than just materials and resources,” adds Amy. “It’s the culture. Knowing that families are invested in their kids’ education. Seeing that support and belief in what [staff is] providing is invaluable.”

Amy, Heath, Jeff and Edie Patenaude “

We are cultivating caring people to do great things. “

“From my experience as a student, and now being on staff, I can see we are cultivating lifelong learners. To be inquisitive, to learn and grow and know it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. As a parent, that’s what I want.”