From School Psych to Surfing: An Inspiring Conversation with Jeanine & a Look at Surf for All
Ever have one of those conversations that just leaves you feeling… good? That’s exactly what happened in my recent chat with my friend Jeanine! I’ve known her for about a decade, and she’s one of those people who just radiates positive energy. While I’m admittedly not a morning person, Jeanine is the opposite, always up and at ’em!
But Jeanine isn’t just a ray of sunshine; she’s also “Doc” – or Dr. Beanie, Dr. J, or Dr. Sorensen, if you’re formal. She has a doctorate in psychology, specializing in community and school psychology. For over 20 years, starting back in 2003, she was a school psychologist at Lindell School.
So, what does a school psychologist do?
Jeanine explained that she handled pretty much everything for over 400 students! That included evaluations for special education services, 504 plans, behavior management, consulting with teachers and parents, and working with the school administration. She worked with kids individually and in groups, helped teachers manage classroom behavior, analyzed behavioral triggers, and developed solutions within the school system. Her main goal? To support students so they could access their education in a public school setting.
Now, Jeanine has transitioned to a role as a district psychologist for elementary schools. She manages students who need to attend alternative settings due to behavioral or management needs, like Haggador, Little Village, or Boces. She manages their cases, works with the school teams, and even visits the students in these alternative programs. Talk about dedication!
Making a Difference: It’s All About the Kids
Jeanine’s been doing this for 25 years, and while she admits there are stressful cases and difficult situations, the most rewarding part is seeing the young adults she helped in the past thriving. In fact, she even works with former students who are now teaching assistants!
Speaking of amazing kids, Jeanine’s own children are doing incredible things. Her son, Lars, is in college studying music, business, and entertainment. Get this: he’s being mentored by none other than Daryl McDaniels (DMC) from Run DMC! Lars’s band, “These Guys,” connected with DMC through Instagram after playing “It’s Tricky.” Now, Lars is even featured on a track on DMC’s upcoming album, alongside members from Limp Bizkit, Guns N Roses, Skid Row, and Public Enemy! Lars website is LarsSorensenDrums.com
And Jeanine’s daughter, Fiona, is equally impressive. She’s a spunky athlete who loves lacrosse and surfing. She even helps kids with disabilities at surf camp. Fiona also a professional model has worked with, Athleta, Calvin Klein, Appaman and more. Her Website is fionasorensen.com.
Surf for All: Riding Waves and Building Confidence
But the story doesn’t end there. Jeanine is also deeply involved with a charity called Surf for All, where she serves as the Director of Operations. This is where Jeanine and I connected! My role is in marketing and photography for the organization.
Surf for All is all about bringing the joy of surfing to individuals with disabilities. They run beach outings and a weekly camp, creating an inclusive and adaptive environment where everyone can participate. Jeanine described the incredible amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to build trust and ensure safety. It’s a big deal for someone with cerebral palsy to come down and go on a surfboard, and Surf for All makes it happen!
I take photos and videos at these events, and I can tell you, it’s incredibly emotional to witness the joy and confidence that surfing brings to these individuals. As Jeanine said, it gives them “a thing” that’s accessible to anyone, opening up a whole new world socially, rhetorically, physically, and sensory. It changes who they are, integrating them with others on the beach and fostering friendships.
The camp started in 2016 and relies heavily on volunteers. Some campers even have one-on-one support, all at no cost to their families, thanks to fundraising efforts.
More Than Just Surfing: Mental Wellness and Clarity
Beyond Surf for All, Jeanine also does consulting, acting as a “personal trainer for mental well-being and clarity.” She helps people overcome obstacles and achieve success in business, sports, life, and relationships. Her consulting services are catered to both adults and teens.
It was truly inspiring to hear about Jeanine’s work and her passion for helping others. It’s a reminder that we all have the potential to make a difference in the world, one wave at a time.
You can contact Jeanine at DrJeanineSorensen@gmail.com
Gear Used
Camera – Sony a9 / a1
Microphones – Shure SM7b
Links for all of Jay’s and Floored Media’s photo gear!