School psychologist Christin Weyn is retiring after 25 years in the Beachwood City School District and 35 years as a practicing school psychologist.

Since joining the district in 2000, Weyn has worked in every Beachwood school building except the middle school. For the past five years, she has served exclusively at the high school and preschool.

Her role extends far beyond what many students are aware of.

“A great deal of my job is spent evaluating students who are suspected of having a disability,” explained Weyn. “That could be anything from a learning disability to a visual impairment and everything in between.”

She also spends much of her day talking with students who stop by the guidance office, collaborating with counselors on graduation requirements, scheduling and curriculum and advising parents who have concerns about their children.

Dr. Jennifer Polak, Beachwood’s Director of Pupil Services, really appreciates Weyn’s dedication to her work.

“She’s very good at listening to families and helping them navigate what I think is a very complex process in special education,” Polak said. “When she approaches it, it’s very clear. It’s very compassionate. I think she really has a passion for her work and helping kids succeed, and that definitely comes through.”

In addition to doing all of these things, Polak says Weyn is also a great leader and collaborator.

“In collaboration with the rest of our pupil services team, she developed a guidebook for families [for] if we have to refer them to mental health services outside of the district,” Polak said. “I appreciated that so much because it’s great when people take initiative for something they know needs to get done and just kind of run with it.”

Weyn’s academic path began with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She later earned a Master’s degree in education and additional degrees in school psychology from John Carroll University. She completed her teaching internship at the Shaker Heights City School District and has been a nationally certified psychologist since 1996.

Before coming to Beachwood, Weyn worked in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School District. What kept her at Beachwood was the district’s close-knit atmosphere and the people she worked alongside.

“One of the things that was really appealing about Beachwood is that it’s much smaller,” she said. “I felt like there was an opportunity to really get to know colleagues as well as the families.” 

“Being able to work with colleagues who really care about working with students [is] really motivating for me too,” Weyn said.

Weyn enjoys watching students grow up.

“Some of my favorite memories have been talking with students their senior year and being able to joke with them about funny things that they did when they were younger,” she said. “Watching how proud they are of themselves as they get their diploma is incredibly rewarding.”

Her years in education have also taught her important lessons about the impact she could make and trusting that even small acts of support can make a difference.

“I can’t change what goes on outside of this building,” Weyn said. “All I can do is try to do the best and help the most I can in that moment.”

For students facing challenges, she hopes they remember one word: resilience.

A quote from Bob Marley hangs outside her office: “Every little thing is gonna be alright.”

“You can work through it and know that at the end it is going to be okay,” says Weyn. “It might be painful and frustrating, but eventually it does work itself out.”

In retirement, she plans to rest and travel to warm places with lots of beaches. She also hopes to continue working part-time to pursue a long-standing interest in special education law, an area focused on protecting the rights of students with disabilities and helping families and schools ensure that students receive the support outlined in their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

“I always thought if I didn’t pursue psychology, that I would maybe have gone into law,” she explained. “That’s what I might pursue now that I’m done with the education part.”

Weyn’s confidence and expertise will undoubtedly be assets as she advocates on behalf of students and families.

“I think one of her great qualities is that she’s willing to stand her ground, and she is confident in her work,” said Polak. “She is able to really make a professional judgment and stand by it.”

Looking back, Weyn says psychology simply felt like the right fit.

“I think it’s just one of those things that comes so naturally,” she said.

Weyn’s ability to connect with the community will be greatly missed.

“She has a tremendous amount of institutional knowledge about Beachwood,” Polak said. “She’s been here a long time [and] worked with a lot of families.” 

“I think understanding the culture and the needs of a district is something that you really can’t put a price on,” she added.

As Weyn begins this new chapter, the Beachwood community will remember her for the countless students and families she supported and the positivity she spreads to everyone she meets.