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HARRISBURG, PA (April 19, 2023) – The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) congratulates Dr. Jason Pedersen, a school psychologist in the Derry Township School District, who was recently named the 2023 National School Psychologist of the Year.
Dr. Pedersen is a member of the Hershey Education Association, a local affiliate of PSEA. He serves as the school psychologist for the Hershey Early Childhood Center and Hershey Middle School. He was named School Psychologist of the Year by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
“PSEA congratulates Dr. Pedersen for this distinct honor,” said PSEA President Rich Askey. “Dr. Pedersen exemplifies the important role that school psychologists serve in schools across Pennsylvania and the nation. At a time when so many students are struggling with mental and emotional health needs, we need school psychologists like Dr. Pedersen more than ever.”
At Derry Township School District, Dr. Pedersen has led a variety of efforts to prioritize students’ mental health and social-emotional learning. This includes the adoption of a school-wide positive behavior support framework. He also developed a comprehensive K-12 curriculum to foster resilience.
His focus on student mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and his leadership during that time helped the district earn NASP’s inaugural Excellence in School Psychological Services Award in 2020.
“It is both humbling and an honor to be recognized as NASP’s School Psychologist of the Year,” Dr. Pedersen said. “As a school psychologist, as with all educators, the work is challenging at times and often goes unrecognized. I didn’t become a school psychologist for the glory, but rather to make a significant, positive impact on students’ life outcomes. As a mental health professional – now perhaps more than ever – our work is critical to student and staff success. This work is not a solo endeavor, and I am lucky to work with amazing educators and proud to support all our students in reaching their fullest potential.”
In addition to his work in the Derry Township School District, Dr. Pedersen has also been an active member of the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania, serving on the executive board for 14 years, including three as president. He is an advocate for his profession and for the critical work that school psychologists perform to improve student mental health and wellness.
Dr. Pedersen is a regular presenter at local, state, and national conferences and frequently mentors school psychology trainees. He has co-authored a book on the use of data-based decision-making in schools, written a chapter in “Best Practices in School Psychology” (6th edition), and contributed several articles to peer-reviewed journals.
“PSEA is proud to count Dr. Pedersen as a member,” Askey said. “His work and commitment to his field is bolstering the academic success and mental health of countless students and making Pennsylvania a better place to live and work.”
An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents about 177,000 active and retired educators and school employees, student teachers, higher education staff, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.
