Youth anxiety is on the rise, and much of the anxiety that children and adolescents experience is related to school. This conference will focus on the relationship between anxiety and school attendance and how educators can create welcoming, inclusive school environments where every student feels seen, valued, and connected. This reduces barriers to engagement and fosters a sense of belonging. In addition, participants will learn practical, actionable strategies to develop and implement student re-entry plans for students who have gaps in their education.
Registration: 8:15 – 8:45 am
Conference: 8:45 am – 2:30 pm
To receive PDPs, participants must attend this conference and the conference, School Attendance: Teaching Skills to Reduce Challenging Behavior, on October 20, 2026. Participants need to register for each conference individually. Members can participate in-person, virtually or by viewing the recording.
About the Speakers
Stephen Zrike, Ed.D.
Stephen Zrike, Ed.D., (he/him) served as Superintendent of Schools for Salem Public Schools from 2020 to 2026, where he led academic recovery efforts, strengthened educator support, expanded student-centered programming, and deepened partnerships with families and the broader community. He oversaw significant gains in MCAS achievement, expanded full-day pre-kindergarten, reduced chronic absenteeism to below pre-pandemic levels, and strengthened dual language and early college programming.
Regina Robinson, Ed.D.
Regina Robinson, Ed.D., (she/her) is the special assistant to the Commissioner for stakeholder engagement. She joined DESE in September 2021 as a deputy commissioner overseeing workforce diversification, student and family support, secondary pathways, early college, educational options of career technical education and charter schools, adult basic education, and planning and research. Regina is a collaborative and skilled leader in education with a passionate expertise in student success for over 20 years.
Alex Hirshberg, Psy.D
Alex Hirshberg, Psy.D., (he/him) is the founder and executive director of Hirshberg Behavioral Health Services, LLC in Hadley, Massachusetts. Dr. Hirshberg is a clinical psychologist who provides behavioral consultation, professional development, and psychological assessment services to schools across Massachusetts. He also has a small outpatient therapy practice focused on using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for individuals with anxiety and mood disorders. His interest areas include Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in schools, trauma informed practices, and developing in-district social-emotional programs.
Ben Lovett, Ph.D.
Ben Lovett, Ph.D., (he/him) is Professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where he trains school psychologists and other mental healthcare professionals. His research focuses on anxiety in educational settings, the provision of educational accommodations, and the diagnosis of learning and attention disorders. He has over 100 publications on these topics, including several books, the most recent one being Overcoming Test Anxiety (Guilford Press, 2025). Dr. Lovett is a licensed psychologist, conducting comprehensive psychological evaluations and consulting widely with schools in his areas of expertise.
Paul Zinni, CAGS
Paul Zinni, CAGS, (he/him) has been an Educator and School Leader for more than 37 years serving as a Special Education Teacher, Title 1 Director, Early Childhood Coordinator, Principal, Director of Pupil Services, Assistant Superintendent and for over ten years, as a Massachusetts Public Schools Superintendent. He retired from public education in June 2023. Currently, Paul works for John Guilfoil Public Relations as the Director of Education, Training and Development and as a Private Consultant, specializing in strategic and communications planning, Leadership Strategies and Crisis Communication.
Membership Information
Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.
PDPs and CEUs
MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.
To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.
Event Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.
For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen with any questions regarding registration.