Empower LEP Podcast

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker welcomes Jaclyn Shasha, the CEO and Founder of Virtual Speech Solutions. Jaclyn is a California-licensed speech-language pathologist with over a decade of experience working in acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, teletherapy, and private practice settings. She shares her inspiring journey from starting out as a school-based therapist...

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker sits down with Danielle Christy, a licensed educational psychologist with over 20 years of experience working as a school psychologist, adjunct professor, and contractor. With an impressive background that spans public, charter, and non-public schools, Danielle’s expertise covers students from preschool through high school.  After comple...

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana reconnects with Dr. Jessica Lascano, a school psychologist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), almost a year after their first conversation. Jessica's business has seen incredible growth, and she shares the ups and downs of navigating that expansion. From learning to fully embrace her role as a business owner to the intricacies of mana...

In this solo episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana shares an inside look at the big changes in both her practice and personal life over the past month. From moving into a brand-new office space to handling staffing transitions, Jana gets real about the rollercoaster of running a growing business. She also reflects on the importance of trusting the process, taking risks, and staying committed to...

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana chats with Dr. Brandi Tanner, a former special education teacher, school psychologist, and private practice psychologist turned advocate who now runs her own business, Your IEP Source . Dr. Tanner's passion for helping families navigate the often confusing world of special education shines through in this candid conversation. Drawing from her y...

In this episode of the Empower LEP podcast, host Jana Parker sits down with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, a school psychologist, author, and entrepreneur who’s dedicated to helping educators not just survive but truly thrive in their careers. Rebecca opens up about her early days as a school psychologist in the Bay Area, where she was determined to change the world—but quickly found herself overwhelmed...

In this week’s episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker welcomes Dr. Ed Schultz, the brilliant and enthusiastic mind behind the Core Selective Evaluation Process (C-SEP). Dr. Schultz is passionate about revolutionizing how we identify Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) by cutting through outdated, complex testing methods and focusing on what truly matters. As a professor of special e...

In this week’s episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker is excited to welcome Dr. Byron McClure, an inspiring school psychologist, entrepreneur, and CEO who’s shaking up the field with his passion for innovation and making a difference in his community and beyond. From dreaming of an NBA career to transforming the way we approach school psychology, Dr. McClure’s journey is anything but...

In Episode 36 of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker goes solo for a candid and heartfelt reflection on her journey as a business owner, educational psychologist, and podcaster. Jana shares her own experiences, challenges, and the lessons she’s learned while running a growing practice and expanding to offer new services. She opens up about managing rapid growth, making difficult staffing dec...

In this week’s episode of the Empower LEP podcast, host Jana Parker welcomes Dr. Peter Isquith, a prominent pediatric neuropsychologist and author who is making his first appearance on a podcast. With a career spanning several decades, Dr. Isquith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, sharing his journey from working in a small pediatric rehab hospital in Baltimore to his current roles in p...

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker sits down with Dr. James Bylund, an LEP and licensed clinical psychologist who’s making waves in the East Bay area with his thriving practice, The Bylund Clinic. With multiple offices and a growing team, Dr. Bylund’s clinic focuses primarily on Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), offering comprehensive support to students and the...

Join host Jana Parker on Episode 33 of the Empower LEP Podcast, where she welcomes her very first repeat guest, Meredith Gleason. Meredith is a powerhouse in the world of educational psychology, with nearly 20 years of experience under her belt. She’s also the newest mentor at Empower LEP, and Jana couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board. Be sure to check out episode 14 to hear Meredith’s f...

In this week’s episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker is excited to welcome Breea Rosas, a nationally certified school psychologist and new licensed educational psychologist based in Los Angeles. Breea is the founder of ND Affirming School Psychologist, where she’s on a mission to champion neurodiversity-affirming practices within schools and beyond. Join us as Breea shares her journ...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Empower LEP Podcast! Today, host Jana Parker is excited to be joined by longtime friend and colleague, the incredible Dr. Jack A. Naglieri. Dr. Naglieri, an Emeritus Professor at George Mason University and a Senior Research Scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children, is a pioneer in the field of educational psychology. His extensive career...

In Episode 30 of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker has the pleasure of chatting with Scott Robson, a double-certified coach who's all about helping mindful, wholehearted entrepreneurs develop aligned confidence, self-belief, and sustainable momentum. Scott brings a unique and inspiring perspective on entrepreneurship to our conversation. Scott’s journey is truly transformative. He mov...

Welcome to another episode of the Empower LEP Podcast! This week, host Jana Parker welcomes Briana Wagner, an inspiring school psychology community figure and a friendly face on social media who educates and advocates for change in the field. Briana is an experienced school psychologist and a relatively new LEP who is excited about the opportunities ahead of her as she expands her reach into the p...

Welcome to Episode 28 of the Empower LEP Podcast!  This week, host Jana Parker sits down with the dynamic and innovative Kierra Shirley, a practicing Licensed Educational Psychologist from New York. Kierra works as a school psychologist in the NYCDOE, serving two elementary schools locally. Even from across the country, Kierra recognized the value of getting her LEP in California and has a unique...

Welcome to Episode 27 of the Empower LEP Podcast! This week, host Jana Parker sits down with Dr. Amy Merenda, a passionate Licensed Educational Psychologist and neurodiversity-affirming advocate. With six years of experience as a public school psychologist and now fully dedicated to her private practice, Amy shares her story of leaving the school districts to go all in on her mission to serve fami...

Welcome back to the Empower LEP Podcast! In this episode, host Jana Parker sits down with Zhanna Shekhtmeyster, a School Psychologist, LEP, owner of EdPsychLA, and app developer. Zhanna’s multifaceted approach to working in our field is a testament to how being innovative and community-minded can lead to a fulfilling and lucrative career as an LEP.  As a full-time school psychologist and part-time...

Welcome back to the Empower LEP Podcast! This week, host Jana Parker sits down with Erin Crawford, who recently made the leap from working in schools to starting her own private practice in Marin County, EmpowerEd Psychological Services. Like many of our episodes, this one is a must-listen for anyone considering the move from working for the school districts to opening their own business as an LEP...

On this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker sits down with the esteemed Dr. Julie Gettman, Executive Director of the School Neuropsychology Institute and owner of Mindworks Assessments, a private practice specializing in comprehensive neurocognitive assessment for children and adolescents. She is a licensed school psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist, and she...

Join host Jana Parker this week on the Empower LEP Podcast for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Christy Bock, the founder of a groundbreaking nonpublic agency, Cornerstone Educational Solutions. This unique agency offers school psychologists and LEPs unparalleled flexibility and opportunities, a model that is sure to pique your interest. Christy’s story is one of innovation and relationship-buil...

Welcome back to the Empower LEP Podcast! In this episode, host Jana Parker is excited to have Jenny Ponzuric, an exceptional leader in school psychology and owner of Ponzuric Learning Solutions.    In this inspiring conversation, Jenny shares her incredible journey from working as a school psychologist in the Ventura County area for 13 years to becoming an administrator, transitioning to full-time...

Join host Jana Parker for this week’s episode of The Empower LEP Podcast for an exclusive interview with Dr. Liz Angoff, a distinguished educational psychologist whose forward-thinking approach and deep understanding of young brains bring invaluable insights to our LEP community.  Dr. Liz is a Licensed Educational Psychologist with a diplomate in school neuropsychology, providing assessment and co...

Grab your headphones and join us for another engaging episode of the Empower LEP podcast! This week, we sit down with Oscar Grajeda, a busy bilingual school psychologist who is adjunct faculty at San Diego State, an inclusion specialist at High Tech High, and also a psychological associate. Listen as Oscar shares how his passion for the work deeply influenced his professional path and personal gro...