Garrick Montesinos went to high school at Glenberg South, where he eventually got his bachelors for psychology at the University of Illinois and attended grad school in Loyola. He is the school psychologist.
Did you work anywhere else?
“I previously worked in District 62 in Des Plaines, which is an elementary school district. So I worked with kids from kindergarten through fifth grade.”
What are the differences and similarities between the schools?
“Some differences are that high schoolers are much older so they can advocate for themselves more. They’re able to communicate more about their needs and what they’re thinking. Whereas in elementary school you have to guide them through that process and bring it down to their level. A big similarity is the connections. There are similar shared interests between older and younger kids and just building that rapport with them.”
What made you want to work at prospect?
“One of my school Psychology students previously worked at prospect high school and so I had reached out to her when I moved [into the area] and she talked about the community and her experience here, and so that’s what made me want to work here. After I graduated college I started working with students. I was aware that there were certain jobs or positions available in student services and I had really enjoyed interacting with students at the high-school level.”
What do you think you will add to Prospect culture?
“[I would like to] continue that support system that is available here with the experience I bring in terms of supporting students and thinking about different accommodations or counseling that are available for students.”
What has been your favorite part of working with prospect students/staff?
“I would say that everyone is very welcoming. There’s a lot of people here that are supportive and are frequently asking if there’s any way that they can help.”
What drew you to psychology?
“So I took an AP psych class in high school, and I really like the study of the mind. Just like different terms of how people think or how they interact with each other.”
Tell me about your favorite things to do outside of school?
“Some of my favorite things to do are play video games and read books. Right now I’m starting Sunrise in the Reaping— which is the Hunger Games Prequel. I play video games like F1 and Harry Potter [which] is a game that I’m trying to finish right now. I like swimming, exercising and hanging out with friends.”
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
“I wanted to be a lawyer. I don’t think I had a specific pathway [I wanted to go into], maybe immigration. But I would say that in my current role I have to understand special education law, so there is at least some overlap.”
What was your favorite tv show, movie, or book?
“My favorite TV show right now is Avid Elementary. My favorite movie that I’ve seen is Thunderbolts, and [my favorite] book is Act like you’re not listening. It’s an interesting read because it talks about different positions or careers that people have that involve listening and how they listen.
If you had to pick a genre of music to listen to forever, what would it be?
“I typically listen to reggaeton. I listen to rap too and pop as well but out of the three I listen to reggaeton the most, then rap, then pop. [my favorite artists are] Bad Bunny, Karol G, and J Balvin, all those guys.”