Sterling Native Returns as School Psychologist

Sterling native, Jordan Lempka Amundson, is the new school psychologist at Sterling Public Schools for the 2026-2027 school year. She will also serve as the head volleyball coach.
As a school psychologist, Amundson will serve in several roles relating to special education students, special education laws and special education evaluations based upon the students' parental consent.
Amundson will be involved in assisting students with social skills, executive financial discussions, and one-on-one counseling with students.as well as setting up IEP contracts, attending IEP meetings, and completing evaluations of students’ progress.
Amundson looks forward to meeting with the Sterling elementary students once a week and the high school students once a month in order to engage them in fun emotional learning skills.
“We want students to have good head space for learning,” said Amundson. “I'm looking forward to collaborating with the teachers in observing behavioral patterns in their learning skills and then assessing these behaviors to determine why a student might be behaving in a certain way.”
According to Amundson, there is always a need for school psychologists because educational burnout is real for students as well as teachers.
As a school psychologist, Amundson said she is constantly reviewing data to ensure that students are progressing in their learning. She never wants teachers to feel alone if they have a student who may be struggling in class. “I will do all the research I can to help that teacher and student,” Amundson said.
Amundson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Midland University in Fremont. She received an Education Specialist degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
“It's rewarding when a student has a light-bulb moment and a student can see what they are supposed to be learning,” said Amundson. She also enjoys seeing a student graduate from the special education program.”
The most challenging experience so far is balancing her professional work and her personal life. “There is a boundary where I don't want to bring my professional life home with me,” sad Amundson. She emphasized that there is 100 percent confidentially concerning the students she works with.
According to Amundson, explaining the difference between a guidance counselor and a school psychologist, a guidance counselor works with the students regarding academic behaviors and achievements, while a school psychologist deals with social/emotional behaviors of a student and will provide the interventions necessary to encourage the student in their learning process.
“I want to be intentional in helping Sterling students reach their academic goals,” Amundson concluded.