Boston School Psychs Podcast

Episode 17: Leadership Spotlight: A Conversation with Dr. Carolyn Hall

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Carolyn Hall for an engaging conversation on leadership, school psychology practice, and the systems-level work that helps create meaningful change for students and school communities. Dr. Hall shares her professional journey into school psychology, reflecting on the experiences that shaped her path from work in adult psychiatric settings to her leadership role supporting school-based behavioral health initiatives within Boston Public Schools. The discussion explores the evolving role of school psychologists and the importance of developing systems that promote academic, behavioral, and social-emotional success for all students. Dr. Hall shares perspectives on how school psychologists can expand their impact beyond traditional responsibilities by engaging in consultation, prevention efforts, and collaborative problem solving. Tim and Dr. Hall discuss the importance of creating sustainable systems that support student needs while strengthening school teams and improving outcomes across entire school communities. Listeners will also gain insight into the role of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), evidence-based interventions, and data-based decision making in school practice. Dr. Hall discusses how school psychologists can contribute to identifying student needs, monitoring progress, and implementing supports that lead to meaningful academic and behavioral growth. The conversation highlights how school psychologists can play a critical role in strengthening school systems while helping ensure that interventions remain practical, equitable, and effective. The episode also emphasizes leadership and advocacy as essential components of school psychology practice. Dr. Hall shares reflections on stepping into leadership opportunities, building confidence, and recognizing that meaningful change often begins with small actions and relationships. Real-world examples demonstrate how collaboration with educators, administrators, families, and community partners can strengthen services and increase support for students. Finally, the conversation reinforces an important message for the field: leadership is not limited to formal titles. School psychologists at every stage of their career can influence systems, advocate for students, and create lasting change within their schools and communities. Whether you are a graduate student, early career professional, or experienced practitioner, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration to help you expand your impact.

Episode 16: Project Provide: Strengthening the Future of School Mental Health

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Jennifer Greif Green of Boston University and Cynthia Lê of Boston Public Schools for an in-depth conversation on Project Provide, a federally funded initiative designed to strengthen the school mental health workforce. Together, they share how this multi-million dollar grant is supporting the recruitment, training, mentorship, and retention of school psychologists, school counselors, and school social workers across the district. The discussion explores how Project Provide was developed through strong collaboration between Boston Public Schools, local universities, and community partners. Dr. Green and Cynthia explain how these partnerships create meaningful, paid internship opportunities that allow graduate students to fully engage in their training without the added burden of outside employment. They also highlight the program’s dual focus on both recruitment and retention, including structured mentorship models and ongoing professional development to support current staff. Listeners will gain insight into how data-based decision making and continuous feedback have shaped the program over time. The conversation highlights how improvements across cohorts have been driven by intentional adjustments, strong evaluation practices, and a commitment to using participant feedback to refine systems and supports. This emphasis on continuous improvement has contributed to increased satisfaction and stronger outcomes for those involved in the program. The episode also dives into the broader impact of workforce development in school mental health. Dr. Green and Cynthia discuss the importance of investing in training pipelines, building sustainable systems, and creating environments where professionals feel supported and valued. They share how these efforts ultimately expand access to services and improve outcomes for students and families. Finally, the conversation highlights what keeps them hopeful in a time of growing mental health needs in schools. From a renewed national focus on youth mental health to the power of relationships and shared mission, this episode underscores the importance of collaboration and long-term investment in the field. Whether you are a graduate student, early career professional, district leader, or experienced practitioner, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration for strengthening school mental health systems in your own community.

Episode 15: Building the Blueprint: Advocacy That Transforms Schools

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Anastasia “Stacy” Skalski, former Director of Professional Policy and Practice at the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), for a powerful conversation on advocacy, leadership, and the impact of the NASP Practice Model. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Stacy shares insights from her career connecting research, policy, and practice to strengthen school psychological services and improve outcomes for students. The discussion explores the NASP Practice Model and how it serves as a framework for delivering comprehensive, high-quality services in schools. Stacy breaks down the key components of the model, including foundational practices, direct and indirect services, and the systems-level work that supports safe, supportive learning environments. Tim and Dr. Andria Amador reflect on how Boston Public Schools adopted and implemented the model over time, leading to expanded roles for school psychologists and significant growth in staffing and services. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of advocacy at the local, state, and national levels, including the role of NASP’s Public Policy Institute (PPI) in empowering school psychologists to use their voice. The conversation highlights how advocacy skills can be developed and applied in everyday practice, from communicating with administrators to engaging with policymakers. Real examples illustrate how building confidence in advocacy can lead to meaningful changes in school systems and increased support for students. The episode also emphasizes the importance of partnerships in advancing school psychology. Stacy discusses how collaboration with educators, administrators, and allied professionals helps expand understanding of the school psychologist’s role and increases the impact of services. Dr. Amador shares how intentional partnerships within Boston Public Schools and with universities and community organizations have strengthened training, service delivery, and system-wide initiatives. Finally, the conversation reinforces a central message for the field: school psychologists must take an active role in shaping how their work is understood and implemented. By embracing advocacy, building partnerships, and applying a comprehensive framework for practice, school psychologists can create lasting change for students, families, and school communities. Whether you are a graduate student, early career professional, or experienced practitioner, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration to help you expand your impact.

Episode 14: Starting Strong: Practical Advice for First-Year School Psychologists

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we are joined by Sarah Hayden and Mike Sweeney Morrison, school psychologists in Boston Public Schools, for a practical and engaging conversation about navigating the first year as a school psychologist. Together, they share real-world advice to help early career school psychologists build confidence, stay organized, and provide meaningful support to students and school teams. The discussion explores what “Day 1” actually looks like, from managing logistics and learning school systems to building relationships with teachers, staff, and administrators. Sarah and Mike offer practical strategies for handling multiple schools, balancing caseload demands, and using organizational tools to stay on top of referrals, deadlines, and evaluations.Listeners will gain insight into how to select appropriate assessment batteries, avoid over-testing, and clearly explain eligibility decisions. The episode also highlights how school psychologists can effectively communicate and defend their data in meetings, especially when navigating disagreements or high-pressure situations with parents and team members. The conversation emphasizes the importance of strong collaboration within MTSS and RTI frameworks, including how to work closely with teachers to implement practical, evidence-based interventions before moving to evaluation. Sarah and Mike share examples of how small, targeted supports can make a meaningful difference for students while also being manageable for busy educators. Finally, the episode explores how school psychologists can maintain boundaries, navigate ethical dilemmas, and find support through mentorship and professional relationships. The discussion highlights the importance of self-care, emotional awareness, and building a network of colleagues who understand the unique demands of the role.Whether you are a graduate student, first-year school psychologist, or supporting someone entering the field, this episode provides practical advice and insights that can be applied immediately.

Episode 13: Communicating Impact: Building the Voice of School Psychology

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we are joined by Katherine Cowan, former Director of Communications for the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), for an engaging conversation about advocacy, communication, and building the voice of school psychology. Together with Dr. Andria Amador, Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services for Boston Public Schools, the discussion explores how school psychologists can effectively communicate their impact and advocate for meaningful systems change. Kathy reflects on her 25 year career with NASP and shares key lessons on the importance of collaboration, strategic communication, and using data to support advocacy efforts. She discusses how the field has evolved over time, including efforts to expand understanding of school psychologists as mental health professionals and the ongoing work to address workforce shortages. Listeners will gain practical strategies for translating their daily work into clear, compelling messages that resonate with educators, administrators, and policymakers. Dr. Amador shares how Boston Public Schools has applied these communication and advocacy principles to strengthen the role of school psychologists across the district. From developing infographics and annual reports to training staff on elevator pitches and consistent messaging, she highlights how intentional communication can elevate both individual practice and system-level impact. Together, they emphasize that advocacy is not separate from the role of a school psychologist, but a natural extension of the work already being done to support students. This episode offers actionable insights for school psychologists at all levels who want to build confidence in their voice, strengthen their professional identity, and expand their impact within schools and beyond.