William James College Associate Professor, Dr. Jason P. Kaplan Named 2023 Trainer of the Year by the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association

Dr. Jason P. Kaplan, Associate Professor and Chair, School Psychology Department at William James College (WJC) has been named 2023 Trainer of the Year by the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association (MSPA.) A nonprofit serving the Commonwealth, the MSPA was established to advance school psychology as both a science and a profession and promote appropriate mental health and educational services to meet the varied needs of children, families, and their communities. Each year, the organization recognizes an educator at a Massachusetts-based college or university whose work focuses on school psychology training and exemplifies “excellent mentorship and thought and impactful instruction.”

“Jason Kaplan is a consummate professional and a dedicated advocate for accessible, high quality mental health services in our schools,” said Dr. Stacey Lambert, Vice President for Academic Affairs.  “He continues to influence and mentor new generations of behavioral health practitioners who share his commitment to children, teens, and their families.”

Prior to joining WJC in 2011, Kaplan was a school psychologist in the Newton Public School system, where he supervised school psychology graduate students for fourteen years. Earlier in his career he taught high school students with learning, emotional and behavioral disabilities at The Forman School in Litchfield, Connecticut.

Kaplan’s research interests include systems change, the assessment and treatment of children with learning, social and emotional disabilities, and supervision. He has written for numerous trade journals and has presented at conferences, forums, training sessions, and community events. 

A Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a Licensed Psychologist and Health Service Provider, Kaplan earned his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University, and his master’s degree in school psychology, his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in school psychology, and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts. He is an active member of the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association, for which he serves as co-chair of the Ethics, Professional Standards and Credentialing Committee.  

About William James College

Founded in 1974, William James College is an independent, nonprofit institution and a leader in educating the next generation of mental health professionals to support the growing and diverse needs of the mental health workforce. Integrating field work with academics, the College prepares students for careers as organizational leaders, school psychologists, and behavioral health professionals who are committed to helping the underserved, multicultural populations, children and families, and veterans.  William James College alumni can be found making an impact in a variety of settings including schools, the courts, clinical care facilities, hospitals the community and the workplace.

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