Remarks from OSPA Awards Committee Co-Chair, Melissa Bestgen

Denise Eslinger began her extensive education in 1978 at Baldwin-Wallace College.  She has obtained degrees in Biology, Counseling, and School Psychology, as well as certifications in Autism and Asperger’s Disorders, Social Work, Administration, cognitive behavior therapy, and many more.  She has practiced in a variety of settings, such as MetroHealth Medical Center, Indiana State University, Ashland University, private practices, and Midview Local Schools.  She is highly involved in her professional organizations, serving as an executive board member and President of OSPA, and most recently serving as chair of the OSPA Dyslexia Task Force.  In the past year, Denise has also provided professional development to counselors on ASD, has assisted Pearson with research on dyslexia, and provided training within her district on best practices in evaluations and training to counselors working at a summer camp for autistic children.  Throughout her career, Denise has worked to spread research based practices to the staff she works with in Midview schools, students in training programs, other professionals in a variety of settings and practices.  For her contributions to the field of school psychology in the past year, and since she began her training in 1978, the Ohio School Psychologist Association Executive Board is honored to present the 2015 School Psychologist of the Year Award to Denise Eslinger.