Anton Berzins, school psychologist at Great Neck North High School, is a recipient of the Outstanding Contributions to Practice Award presented by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division of School Psychology. This national award honors school psychologists who demonstrate exceptional contributions to the field through innovations in practice.
Dr. Berzins was presented with his award during the APA Convention in Washington, D.C. on August 8. This recognition acknowledges Dr. Berzins’ work both domestically and internationally, including his work in the Great Neck Public Schools as well as his school psychology work in Ecuador.
Dr. Berzins has dedicated his entire 19-year career as a school psychologist at North High. He shares his insights and expertise as a member of the school’s instructional support team and building crisis support team. He also coaches the North High boys varsity soccer team, serves as the advisor for the Peer AIDS Educators club, and is the faculty advisor for the ninth and tenth grade advisory programs.
For more than two decades, Dr. Berzins has spent his summers working with schools, hospitals, clinics, community outreach centers, and orphanages in Costa Rica and Ecuador. In 2008, he co-founded the Ecuador Professional Preparation Program, an immersive summer program in Quito, Ecuador, with the mission of helping school psychologists, social workers, educators, and clinicians understand Spanish and Latin cultures so they can better serve linguistically and culturally diverse students, families, and communities in the United States.
“Receiving this award is deeply meaningful to me, both personally and professionally. As the son of two immigrants—my mother, Judy, is from Trinidad and Tobago, and my father, Vaironis, is from Latvia—I find this recognition especially humbling,” said Dr. Berzins. He also expressed his appreciation for the support of administrators and colleagues across the school district who helped shape his professional path.
Dr. Berzins earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and history from Loyola College in Maryland, a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a doctorate on the bilingual track from St. John’s University. He has presented at district-level and national conferences, and published articles and reviews in national psychology journals.