School Psychologists
School Psychologists
School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for all students that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students.
School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education, completing a minimum of a specialist - level degree program. Training includes an emphasis on mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, school law, assessment, consultation, collaboration, and systems.
School psychologists work to find the most appropriate solution for each student and their situation. They use different strategies to address individual student needs and to improve classroom and school climates and support systems. At Dows Lane, the school psychologists are active members of the school’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Team, and the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Team.
The school psychologists provide counseling, consultation and evaluation support services. They also serve as chairpersons for the Committee on Special Education (CSE) where they facilitate annual review meetings to develop individualized educational programs (IEPs) for students with educational disabilities.
Mrs. Heather Kaplan
Kindergarten-1st Grade School Psychologist
(914) 269-5124
Heather.kaplan@irvingtonschools.org
Dr. Susan Schermerhorn, Ph.D.
2nd grade- 3rd grade School Psychologist
(914) 269-5127
Susan.Schermerhorn@irvingtonschools.org
Helpful links:
https://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/
https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism