Episode 19: Leadership Spotlight: A Conversation with Laura Shachmut

Episode 19: Leadership Spotlight: A Conversation with Laura Shachmut

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we are joined by Laura Shachmut, a school psychologist with Boston Public Schools, for a conversation about leadership, systems-level practice, and the evolving role of school psychologists in supporting students and school communities. Laura shares her professional journey, reflecting on the experiences that shaped her career and her passion for creating positive, student-centered learning environments. The discussion explores the many ways school psychologists can influence school systems beyond individual evaluations and counseling services. Laura highlights the importance of prevention, consultation, PBIS, and school-wide initiatives that promote positive outcomes for all students. She shares insights into how school psychologists can contribute to school climate, strengthen collaboration among educators, and support equitable practices that help students thrive. Throughout the episode, Laura discusses the value of leadership at every level of practice. She reflects on her work supporting district initiatives, mentoring future school psychologists, and helping build systems that foster student success. The conversation emphasizes that leadership is not limited to formal titles but can be demonstrated through collaboration, relationship-building, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Laura also discusses her role as chair of the Behavioral Health Services Communications Committee within Boston Public Schools. She shares how intentional communication helps strengthen professional identity, highlight the impact of school psychologists, and foster greater connection across a large and diverse department. The conversation examines how effective communication can support advocacy efforts and help school psychologists tell the story of their work in meaningful ways. Tim and Laura also reflect on the importance of graduate training, professional growth, and developing the next generation of school psychologists. They discuss the rewards and challenges of the profession, the lessons learned throughout a career in education, and the importance of maintaining a focus on student outcomes while navigating increasingly complex school systems. Whether you are a graduate student, early-career professional, or experienced practitioner, this episode offers valuable insights into leadership, collaboration, systems-level practice, and the many ways school psychologists can create meaningful change for students, families, and school communities.

Episode 18: Leadership Spotlight: A Conversation with Dr. Andria Amador

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Andria Amador, Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services for Boston Public Schools, for an in-depth conversation about comprehensive school psychological services and the systems that support student success. Drawing on her leadership experience in one of the largest school districts in the country, Dr. Amador shares how Boston Public Schools has expanded and redefined the role of school psychologists to better meet the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of students. The discussion explores the structure and vision of the Behavioral Health Services Department and the many ways school psychologists contribute beyond assessment. Dr. Amador describes how school psychologists in Boston Public Schools provide counseling, consultation, crisis response, prevention services, systems-level support, and leadership within schools. She explains how the district has worked to align services with the NASP Practice Model while building a framework that supports both students and practitioners. Tim and Dr. Amador also discuss the importance of prevention and early intervention in creating healthy school communities. The conversation highlights the role of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and other school-wide initiatives designed to improve outcomes for all students. Listeners will gain insight into how comprehensive services can strengthen school climate, increase access to mental health supports, and promote student well-being. A major focus of the episode is workforce development and the future of the profession. Dr. Amador shares how partnerships with universities, training programs, and community organizations have helped Boston Public Schools recruit, train, and retain highly qualified school psychologists. She discusses the value of creating strong internship experiences, supporting early career professionals, and building leadership pathways within the field. Throughout the episode, Dr. Amador emphasizes the importance of collaboration and systems thinking in school psychology. Real-world examples illustrate how school psychologists can partner with educators, families, administrators, and community providers to address complex student needs and improve outcomes at both the individual and systems levels. Whether you are a graduate student exploring the profession, an early career school psychologist seeking guidance, or an experienced practitioner interested in comprehensive service delivery, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving role of school psychologists and the impact they can have within schools and communities.

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.