Dr. David Lillenstein

2025 PA School Psychologist of the Year

The Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania (ASPP) is proud to name Dr. David Lillenstein the 2025 Pennsylvania School Psychologist of the Year. This award recognizes Dr. Lillenstein's outstanding commitment to the field of school psychology and the students of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Lillenstein is a school psychologist as the Hershey High School in Derry Township School District, where he has worked for 23 years. He also works at the district level with the emotional and gifted support programs, and has served as a leader in the school psychology department and within his schools. Through his work as a practitioner, Dr. Lillenstein has demonstrated an outstanding commitement to public service for students, schools, and school psychologists. He exemplifies the comprehensive role of the school psychologist, moving beyond the traditional "test and place" role. Dr. Lillenstein spearheaded the district's adoption and roll-out of multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS) for both behavior and academics. These frameworks allow for prevention and intervention efforts to promote student mental health and academic success while reducing the likelihood of students needing more intensive behavioral or academic interventions. Dr. Lillenstein has worked at all levels fostering student mental health through intervention implementation and supporting diverse learning needs through the delivery of culturally responsive, equitable practices. Further, Dr. Lillenstein supports staff in their implementation of these academic, behavioral, and mental health practices by supporting motivation and engagement through consultation and collaboration.

Dr. Lillenstein will receive an award for this honor at the 2025 ASPP Fall Conference.

A Model Supervisor and Mentor

Dr. Lillenstein devotes his time annually to supervising school psychology trainees in their implementation of these systems-level practices. For his work as a supervisor, Dr. Lillenstein has earned the distinction of Model School Psychology Intern Supervisor by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Dr. Lillenstein has a unique talent for mentoring trainees and colleagues, and elevating them to reach new potential. He has brought young, energetic school psychologists into state and national leadership positions. In the past year, he has extended mentorship and support to school psychologists working in school districts who aim to achieve the NASP Excellence in School Psychological Services designation.

A Tireless Advocate

Dr. Lillenstein has also served in a variety of leadership roles through which he proves to be an exceptional advocate for students and schools, as well as school psychologists and school psychology trainees. On the ASPP Board, he has served as the President (2015-2020), PPA Liaison (2006-Present), and Conference Chair (2015-2022). He is also currently the Pennsylvania Delegate to NASP, as well as the Department of Pupil Services School Psychology Section President with the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). Through his work in these roles, Dr. Lillenstein has collaborated with colleagues from related mental health and education fields across Pennsylvania, including PSEA, Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA), and Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel (PASSWP) to lobby legislators for improved mental health services in schools. Beginning in 2019, he spearheaded efforts to promote loan forgiveness and state-funded internships as solutions to critical shortages of school psychologists in Pennsylvania in order align school psychologist-to-student ratios with NASP’s recommended standards. His continued advocacy and cross-discipline collaboration was integral to the passage of Act 55 of 2022, establishing a school-based mental health professional internship stipend program in Pennsylvania, emphasizing the importance of equity and access to the profession for students from underrepresented backgrounds. This landmark legislation addresses workforce shortages while promoting long-term investment in mental and behavioral health services for children. For all of this work, Dr. Lillenstein has received recognition in the form of multiple awards, including the NASP 2023 Government and Professional Relations Outstanding Advocate Award, the 2023 Pennsylvania Psychological Association Distinguished Contributions to School Psychology Award, and the 2019 Indiana University of Pennsylvania College of Education and Communications Impact Award and Alumni Scholar Award.

A Caring Practitioner

Dr. Lillenstein’s visionary leadership, his commitment to children and youth, and supporting them and our colleagues through advocacy, is evident in his outstanding accomplishments and recognition. Beyond these more visible accomplishments, it is in Dr. Lillenstein’s direct work with children and families where his compassion and dedication shine most clearly. He meets students where they are, even when that means addressing social-emotional wellness and mental health of the student and the family, not simply addressing academics. Despite all of his work at the school system, state, and national levels, Dr. Lillenstein has never lost sight of the fact that at the very core of what we do as school psychologists, we support children and their families.

Dr. Lillenstein’s efforts have had lasting impacts locally, across Pennsylvania, and nationally. Whether Dr. Lillenstein is testifying before legislators, leading district-wide MTSS initiatives, or quietly sitting beside a student in crisis, he brings heart, wisdom, and a deep sense of responsibility to everything he does. He is a school psychologist who not only advocates for systemic change, but lives it. ASPP is proud to name Dr. David Lillenstein the 2025 Pennsylvania School Psychologist of the Year. He demonstrates exemplary advocacy, dedication, and compassion not only for the students and families in Derry Township, but for school psychology as a whole. Please join ASPP in celebrating Dr. Lillenstein’s outstanding contributions to school psychology and this most deserving honor of Pennsylvania’s School Psychologist of the Year.