President-Elect 

Paul Cicchini

Paul Cicchini, Ed.S., NCSP, GOTJ, is a nationally certified school psychologist, author, and public speaker. He has a Masters Degree in Guidance (West Chester 94) and an Ed.S. degree in School Psychology from Rowan University (06). He has over 22 years of experience as a school psychologist with special certifications as an Affirmative Action Officer, Social Emotional Learning (Academy for SEL-Rutgers/St. Elizabeth), CSTAG, and PREPaRE (NASP). His leadership experience includes President of the Vineland Association of School Psychologists (2012-2016), and two terms as Southern Regional Delegate for NJASP. Paul has been involved with NJASP for almost 20 years. He is the author of four books, including “Teach the Essentials of Good Character with the Essentialz” (Research Press 2018) and has presented at the 30th Anniversary Summit in Washington D.C., for Character.org. His favorite charity is serving as a Grand Officer and Knights Inspector for the SMOTJ (Knights Templar) Priory of the Delaware.

Recording Secretary

Krystal Norman

Krystal Norman, PsyD, NCSP is a nationally certified, doctoral level school psychologist with hands-on experience working with children at the preschool to high school levels. She has been practicing as a school psychologist for the last 8 years in three districts in the NJ public schools. Additional experience includes being a Child Study Team Leader, Crisis Team Leader and Wellness Team leader connecting with students, staff and parents to hold events to promote overall health and wellness. She also works with transition planning and connecting parents to DDD.  She has also been an undergraduate adjunct faculty member for 8 years. Krystal has research experience in the areas of posttraumatic growth, empathy, reading interventions, and gender identity. Krystal has previously served as the NJASP recording secretary from Spring 2019 to Spring 2021 before stepping down to complete her doctorate degree. In addition to professional experience Krystal is a mom of 3 with number four on the way. Now that Krystal has completed her degree, she is ready to get back involved in the NJASP executive board.

Northern Delegate

Edith Lima

Edith currently serves as a Northern Delegate for the NJASP Executive Board. Edith received her Ed.S. degree in school psychology at New Mexico State University. She was a CST member for 7 years at elementary and middle schools in the New Brunswick Public Schools. She is currently in her 6th year on the Out-of-District CST in the Jersey City Public Schools. Edith also serves on the South Bound Brook Board of Education.

Central Delegate

Dale Starcher 

Dale Starcher, Ph.D, is a school psychologist and licensed psychotherapist. As an administrator for 18 years at a private special needs school for students with mental health struggles he developed or directed a range of therapeutic programs: PBIS, individual and group counseling program for all students, two ASD classrooms, SEL for elementary students, reintegration program for traumatic brain injury, and afterschool program for DDD, and was the head of the crisis intervention team. Dale is currently Director for the Center for Stress Control, a mental health clinic. He is trained across a wide range of treatment modalities. He is author of Mindfulness-Based Counseling for Self-Regulation. He is currently chair of the Professional Development Committee for NJASP which responsible for hosting this BeWell training initiative, and an adjunct professor at Rider University.

Southern Delegates

John Lestino

Emery Brown

John C. Lestino, MA, LPC, has been a practicing school psychologist for over 25 years. He serves as a School Psychologist in Edgewater Park Public Schools. John is a three-time Past President for NJASP and has been honored as the NASP and NJASP school psychologist of the year. John is also the recipient of Rowan University’s award for Mental-Health and Service to Children and has received statewide and national recognition from NASP and NJASP in the areas of school-based mental health practices, violence prevention, advocacy and leadership, statewide programming in practicing PBIS in schools, and prevention and reduction programs and violence.  John has testified on IDEA reauthorization at the United States Department of Education in Washington D.C and has also worked with the New Jersey Department of Education and NJASP in the development of a MTSS/NJTSS model for a continuum of support.  John is currently an adjunct professor at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been supervising school psychology interns for over 20 years.  He has served as a Past-Delegate for NASP and NJASP and currently chairs the NJASP Continuing Professional Development Committee.  

Emery Brown, M.A., Ed.S., is a graduate of Rowan University where she obtained both her M.A. & Ed.S. in School Psychology. After graduating Emery became the first person in New Jersey to become certified as a School Based Registered Play Therapist by the Association of Play Therapy (APT) and the second school psychologist in the nation to earn this credential! With that being said, she holds a deep professional interest in exploring the therapeutic powers of play within the education system. As of this year Emery serves her district as the Comprehensive Mental Health Specialist and provides counseling to students presenting with the highest need. She is proud to have applied and seen her two district schools get accepted into the Enhancing Mental Health in Schools Project through Rutgers/NJDOE. Emery currently also serves as the School Mental Health Lead as the team works to align the district mental health program with the New Jersey Comprehensive School-Based Mental Health Resource Guide. Emery shared that she feels confident in all school psychologists' ability to contribute effective school-based services to address the growing needs and complications of youth mental health today. In her spare time, Emery enjoys walking, reading, smiling, and spending time with her family!