Boston School Psychs

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Boston School Psychs

The Behavioral Health Services department of the Boston Public Schools is comprised of over 100 school psychologists and over 50 graduate students.

Together, we support all BPS schools. Learn more at BostonSchoolPsychs.com The Behavioral Health Services Department (BHS) provides services and supports to all Boston Public Schools. BHS staff recognize the critical connection between behavioral health and academic and social success at school. The Behavioral Health Services Department is guided by the tenets and domains of practice of the Nation

al Association of School Psychologists and the Safe and Supportive School Framework developed by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Behavioral Health and Public Schools Task Force. In addition to providing leadership around the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model (CBHM), services and supports include psycho-educational evaluations and social evaluations; crisis work; Student Support Team and School-based Management support; individual and group counseling; non-IEP social skills groups; teacher, principal and parent consultation; and professional development.

08/14/2026

On Wednesday, our BHS Research Team came together at UMass Boston for our 2nd Annual Research Team Retreat! 💙

One of the things we value most about this team is the collaboration between BPS school psychologists, university faculty, graduate students, and community partners. The goal is not simply to conduct research, but to make sure the people closest to the work have a voice in shaping the questions we ask and how that research can ultimately support schools, students, and families.

Throughout the day, our research subgroups shared updates on some really exciting work, including:

🔹 Equitable service delivery and the ethical use of AI in school psychology
🔹 Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for behavioral health
🔹 School and community mental health partnerships
🔹 Mentoring and supporting early career school psychologists

This year, we also added an Evidence-in-Action session with our partners and spent part of the afternoon looking ahead and refining our research priorities for the coming year.

A huge thank you to UMass Boston for hosting and sponsoring the retreat, to Dr. Jennifer Green of Boston University for helping us shape the day, and to our colleagues at Northeastern University for their continued collaboration.

It was great to hear what each group has been working on, and think together about where we go next.

We’re looking forward to another year of collaboration and research that connects directly to the work happening in schools! 💙

07/29/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Marie-Christine (MC) Mates on being recognized as a Boston Public Schools Employee Spotlight Honoree for the 2025–26 school year!

This well-deserved recognition reflects MC’s dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to supporting our Behavioral Health Services team and the students, families, and schools we serve each day.

We are incredibly grateful to have you on our team. Congratulations, MC! 💙👏

07/02/2026

The World Cup spirit is alive at BPS Behavioral Health Services! ⚽🌎 Andria, Ivonne, and Ronnie are showing off their team pride and celebrating the excitement of the beautiful game. It's a great reminder of how sports bring people and cultures together. Who are you rooting for? 🌍🏆

07/01/2026

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we are joined by Annastasia Martineau and Dr. Carolyn Hall, co-chairs of the Boston Public Schools Behavioral Health Services Equity Committee, for an insightful conversation about how equity work can be embedded into the everyday practice of school psychology.

Together, they share how the committee was created and has grown into a collaborative space where school psychologists come together to examine data, respond to the evolving needs of students and families, and engage in meaningful conversations that lead to action. We also explore Boston Public Schools' distributed leadership model, the role of staff-led committees, and how creating spaces for reflection, learning, and shared problem-solving strengthens both practitioners and the communities they serve.

The work highlighted throughout this episode reflects the dedication of many members of the Equity Committee. We would also like to recognize Daniela Kelliher for her leadership and contributions as co-chair over the past two years, including her instrumental role in developing equitable family interview practices. Equity is truly a team effort.

Whether you're interested in equity, leadership, systems-level change, or building stronger school communities, this episode offers practical ideas and thoughtful perspectives that can inspire your own work.

✨ New episodes every other Wednesday

🎧 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube by searching Boston School Psychs, and our channel will pop right up!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/_uHG9kPbhAQ?si=2rJge5GSPMuFZM5m

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boston-school-psychs-podcast/id1845054541

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36dU8URcCPWS5gMQRnHAFa?si=670debf829c84024&fbclid=IwY2xjawPnXdtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwTGpqRFQwNm0wb3lXaEZoc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkL4fX2u2tLcLcRc2YZlX3OZg6w81IPx5NblFlGJmhva2gJqswq8oLOIKH8Y_aem_RH8Xbiz7FhdT-XywHyepJQ&nd=1&dlsi=f982e9deed9f4f67

06/24/2026

In this clip from Episode 10 of the Boston School Psychs Podcast, Dr. Byron McClure, founder of School Psych AI, shares practical advice for school psychologists who are curious about AI but unsure where to begin.

Dr. McClure emphasizes the importance of building AI literacy first by understanding what AI is, its limitations, and the ethical considerations that come with using it in schools. He encourages practitioners to start small by identifying everyday tasks such as emails, intervention planning, or rephrasing technical language in reports, and then exploring how AI can help support those tasks.

One of his favorite strategies is treating AI as a thought partner rather than simply a tool. By engaging in a back-and-forth conversation, school psychologists can brainstorm ideas, explore interventions, and refine their thinking while maintaining professional judgment.

✨ Start small. Be strategic. Use AI to support the work that matters most.

🎧 Watch the full episode of the Boston School Psychs Podcast featuring Dr. Byron McClure for more insights on AI, strengths-based practices, and the future of school psychology. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube by searching Boston School Psychs and the channel will pop right up.

06/17/2026

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, we sit down with Laura Shachmut, a Boston Public Schools school psychologist with extensive experience supporting students, families, and school communities. Laura shares her journey into school psychology, reflects on how the role has evolved over time, and discusses her passion for systems-level work and equitable practices.

In addition to her work supporting students, Laura is an active leader within our department. She serves as chair of the Communications Committee, helping strengthen how we connect, collaborate, and share our work across the district. She talks about the importance of leadership, building positive school cultures, and creating systems that lead to better outcomes for students. Laura also reflects on meaningful moments from her career and the relationships that make school psychology such a rewarding profession.

Whether you're interested in school psychology, educational leadership, or creating more supportive school environments, this episode offers valuable insights from an experienced practitioner.

✨ New episodes every other Wednesday

🎧 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube by searching Boston School Psychs and the channel will pop right up.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/j__-Ouu6R-E?si=05LoBO6tyWkM8d7x

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boston-school-psychs-podcast/id1845054541

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36dU8URcCPWS5gMQRnHAFa

06/10/2026

In this clip, Alex Freeman, CBHM/MTSS Coach, discusses the growing importance of digital wellness and the impact technology can have on student mental health, development, and learning.

The conversation explores how excessive screen time may contribute not only to anxiety and depression, but also to challenges with attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. Alex shares how schools can take a proactive approach by engaging staff, students, families, and administrators in ongoing conversations about healthy technology use and digital wellness.

He also highlights innovative school-based initiatives, including student-led technology awareness activities and family education efforts, emphasizing that supporting healthy technology habits requires a community-wide approach.

This discussion serves as an important reminder that promoting student mental health in today's digital world includes helping young people develop healthy, balanced relationships with technology.

🎧 Listen to Episode 9 of the Boston School Psychs Podcast:
Leadership Spotlight: A Conversation with Alex Freeman

06/09/2026

Special thank you to Dr. Byron McClure for providing an engaging department-wide training on strengths-based practices in school psychology for our BPS Behavioral Health Services team.🙏

The training challenged us to reflect on how we can continue to recognize and build upon the strengths and resilience of the students we serve each day.

The event was also an opportunity to celebrate two incredible colleagues, Ann and Ellen, as they begin their well-earned retirements. Their years of dedication and commitment to supporting students have made a lasting impact on Boston Public Schools.

Thank you, Dr. McClure, for sharing your expertise, and congratulations to Ann and Ellen on this exciting new chapter. We are grateful for all you have contributed to our department and school communities. 💙✨

06/08/2026

Boston Public Schools Behavioral Health Services was proud to participate in our first-ever Pride Parade as a department!🏳️‍🌈

Thank you to all of the school psychologists who joined us in showing support for LGBTQ+ students, families, and communities. Your presence reflects our commitment to creating safe, affirming, and inclusive school environments where every student feels seen, valued, and supported. We look forward to continuing this work together and celebrating the diversity that strengthens our school communities every day.

06/03/2026

This week on the Boston School Psychs Podcast, Dr. Andria Amador joins us for an inside look at the Behavioral Health Services Department in Boston Public Schools and what it means to provide comprehensive school psychological services. Dr. Amador shares how BPS has implemented the NASP Practice Model, expanded the role of school psychologists beyond assessment, and built a system that supports students through prevention, intervention, consultation, counseling, and systems-level work.

We also discuss the different roles school psychologists can hold within the district, the importance of university partnerships and training programs, and how school psychologists contribute to positive school climates through initiatives such as PBIS and mental health supports.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Amador offers practical insights for districts looking to strengthen their services and create more meaningful opportunities for school psychologists. Whether you are a graduate student, early career school psychologist, or experienced practitioner, this episode provides valuable ideas and inspiration for expanding your impact in schools.

✨ New episodes every other Wednesday

🎧 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube by searching Boston School Psychs and the channel will pop right up.

YouTube Link: youtube.com/watch?v=XWLuGz8TLyM&feature=youtu.be

Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boston-school-psychs-podcast/id1845054541

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/36dU8URcCPWS5gMQRnHAFa

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http://www.BostonSchoolPsychs.com/

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