POUGKEEPSIE – The Office of School Engagement has two new employees who will focus on improving mental health across the district – funded by various grants.
Diandria Williams
Although she studied architectural engineering and worked as a civil engineer, Diandria Williams knew it wasn’t the right job for her.
“I wanted to sit with people, talk to people, help people,” said Williams, currently a program coordinator in the Office of School Engagement. Williams returned to school and earned a degree in psychology, taking a job as a program director at a domestic violence shelter and then becoming executive director. After the owners decided to close the shelter, she saw the PCSD job posting and joined the team.
Today, she oversees the New York State Office of Mental Health grant that provides Astor Services school clinics at Poughkeepsie Middle School and Poughkeepsie High School. The goal is to engage students in mental health and help them succeed.
“When I was offered the position here, I thought I could make the biggest difference and have a positive impact on the community – which is my passion. I wanted to help make the community stronger,” Williams said.
One of Diandria Williams’ other responsibilities is to publish a monthly newsletter for student-facing staff. Each has a main mental health topic that explains what it is, who is affected by it, how educators can support students, and resources specific to the topic.
Her role also includes working to develop a collaborative care system with Dutchess County and local agencies, representing the district on several community committees to discuss student mental health, and providing professional development for the PCSD staff through quarterly mental health and wellness newsletters and mental health training during superintendent conference days. She will soon launch a third newsletter aimed at secondary school parents and families that will address mental health from a cultural perspective.
Diandria has previously worked with children through her church, providing mentoring and dance programs. In fact, dancing is one of her passions and an activity that she regularly pursues through ballroom dancing – she will soon be participating in her second dance competition.
Christine Smack
Christine Smack is no stranger to Poughkeepsie schools. As a district alumnus, Smack worked for Marist Upward Bound and Liberty Partnership at Poughkeepsie High School before joining the district as a school social worker.
In her role in the Office of School Engagement, Smack oversees a mental health awareness training grant that gives the district the opportunity to implement the 7 Mindsets program district-wide. The program is an evidence-based learning system built on the assertion that success is less about what a person knows and more about how they think.
The goal is to improve student well-being and achievement, healthy school culture, and educator happiness.
“I have a strong sensitivity and passion for youth. My goal is to make a difference in their lives by providing them with the tools to live healthy, successful lives, despite their circumstances,” said Smack, who has worked with Poughkeepsie students for about nine years, including as a what to advise in the event of a crisis. .
A family woman at heart, Smack enjoys spending her free time with her two sons. “They are my life and they inspire me every day,” she said, adding that she enjoys taking long walks and being outside. Gardening and crafts are also on the list of activities she enjoys.
