The School Collective

What happens when two school psychology podcasts sit down together? A conversation packed with leadership insight, podcast behind-the-scenes moments, and honest reflections on the people shaping our field. In this crossover episode, The School Collective Podcast teams up with the Boston School Psychs Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about advocacy, collaboration, and what they’ve learned fr...

Dr. Christopher Ponce sits down with school psychologist, content creator, and parent Tiffany Lee (@schoolpsychtiffany) for a candid conversation about building a career in school psychology while also building a life outside of it. Tiffany shares her path into the field, from studying psychology and business to discovering school psychology through work with students with disabilities and realizi...

In this special group episode, we sit down with Carmen Cisneros and Dr. Andrew Shanock for an open, reflective conversation about the growing need for community, training, and shared responsibility in supporting multilingual learners. Together, the group unpacks the purpose behind the NASP Bilingual Interest Group (BIG) and the Multilingual Interest Group (MIG), two spaces dedicated to supporting...

In this episode of The School Collective Podcast , we welcome Amber Moore as a new co-host and dive into a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what it really means to show up for students and families in school psychology. Amber shares her journey from aspiring teacher to school psychologist, reflecting on how practicum experiences, family-centered work, and real-world constraints shaped her p...

In this episode of The School Collective , we sit down with retired principal and author Martin Silverman to explore why the earliest years of education can shape a child’s entire academic future. We discuss building a strong school culture, supporting teachers before burnout occurs, and shifting from a deficit mindset to a strengths-based view of young learners, especially in Pre-K and kindergart...

In this powerhouse episode, Christopher sits down with two icons in school psychology—Dr. John Kelly, former NASP President and lifelong advocate for equitable practice, and Dr. Jack Naglieri, renowned cognitive assessment researcher and co-developer of the KABC and CAS. Together, they take listeners on a journey through the history and evolution of intelligence testing, unpacking how assessment p...

In this episode, Christopher, Amy, and Brooke sit down with Dr. Eric Rossen, Executive Director of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), for an inside look at how the largest school psychology organization in the world operates. Dr. Rossen breaks down NASP’s structure, decision-making, and advocacy strategy—offering candid insight into how policies are shaped, how the organizati...

In this episode, Christopher sits down with Taisha Torres, a bilingual school psychologist whose journey from New York City to Texas reveals the beauty and complexity of serving diverse communities. Taisha shares how a college course unexpectedly led her into school psychology, the mentorship that shaped her path, and the lessons learned from working in culturally rich and high-need settings. Toge...

In this episode, Chris and Amy sit down with Paloma Nava, a bilingual school psychologist whose professional journey has taken her from criminal justice to school psychology across Texas and New Mexico. Paloma shares how navigating different state regulations has shaped her practice and highlights the unique challenges of evaluating students in borderland regions. The conversation dives into Palom...

In this episode of The School Collective Podcast , hosts Amy and Brooke sit down with occupational therapist Mary Beth Powell to explore the vital role of OTs in schools. With over a decade of experience across districts and clinical settings, Mary Beth sheds light on how occupational therapy supports student success, whether through fine motor skills, self-care, or navigating sensory and behavior...

In this foundational episode, Amy and Christopher are joined by Melissa Mathews, a seasoned speech therapist and assistive technology (AT) specialist, to break down the essentials of AT in education. From text-to-speech and speech-to-text tools to AAC devices and high-tech supports like eye-gaze systems, Melissa demystifies what AT really is, who it serves, and why it matters. The trio dives into...

In this episode of The School Collective , we sit down with Jana Parker, a Licensed Educational Psychologist, Board Certified School Neuropsychologist, and founder of Mind by Design, Inc. Jana shares her journey from school psychologist to CEO, giving us an inside look at what it takes to launch and grow a thriving private practice in California. We talk about the highs and hurdles of transitionin...

In this episode of The School Collective , Christopher and Brook sit down with sports psychologist Dr. Blakely Low Sampson for an engaging and eye-opening conversation about the world of sports psychology. Dr. Blakely shares how she helps athletes, from elite performers to burned-out high achievers, navigate both performance demands and mental health challenges. Together, they unpack the unique pr...

In this heartfelt conversation, Amy sits down with Sherri Patton-Grubb, a wellness counselor at Austin High School, for a fireside chat that explores the real-life challenges and triumphs of working in education. Together, they unpack strategies for building strong, collaborative relationships with school administrators, maintaining professionalism in tense situations, and supporting youth and fam...

In this episode of The School Collective , Christopher talks with Dr. Ashley Doss, a licensed psychologist and school psychologist in Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Doss shares her journey from Texas to the north, offering insight into the unique challenges of practicing in Alaska’s diverse and remote communities. We dive into her work leading crisis response and suicide prevention efforts, her involvemen...

In this episode of The School Collective , Christopher sits down with power couple and school psychologists Tyler and Dr. Lina Kitson to talk shop—and share how they’re revolutionizing report writing with their tool, Copy Paste Report. They unpack the journey from late-night frustration to launching a customizable, time-saving platform for assessments that now supports over 100 measures. The Kitso...

It’s that time again: new year, new buildings, new chaos! In this season-ready episode, we welcome back school psychologist Huma Imtiaz (@the_school_psychologist) for a crew-style conversation packed with tips, reflections, and real talk to help school psychs hit the ground running. We cover everything from how to introduce yourself in a new school, building genuine relationships across campus, an...

In this episode of The School Collective , we welcome back our favorite Texas special education attorney, Elvin Houston (@ school.lawyer ), for a timely and engaging conversation on recent legislative updates impacting educators and school psychologists. Elvin breaks down major new Texas laws—like House Bill 1481’s student cell phone ban, Senate Bill 2’s education savings accounts, and House Bill...

We’re back! In the Season 2 premiere of The School Collective Podcast , hosts Christopher, Brook, and Amy ease back into the mic with a mix of mischief, memories, and meaningful updates. From childhood klepto stories and questionable collections to doctoral stress and dreamy coffee table books, this episode blends laughs with life updates as the team shares what’s been happening behind the scenes....

The crew is coming back with a brand-new season of the School Collective! We have an amazing lineup this year of new and returning guests. We cover topics from legislation, back-to-school readiness, parenting, and even sports psychology! Tune in when the premiere episode drops in a few weeks and make sure to subscribe to our channel!! Also....Check out the new music!! Social Handles: Christopher P...

In the final episode of our special education legal trilogy, The School Collective crew is joined once again by attorney Elvin Houston for an in-depth conversation on Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs) . This episode dives into the legal triggers and timelines behind MDRs, the role of evaluation data, and what qualifies as a disciplinary change of placement. The team explores federal and s...

In this episode, Brook and Christopher kick things off with some March Madness talk—Brook’s leading the brackets, and Christopher’s tech team takes a hit! Then, they dive into a fascinating conversation with Courtney Johnson , a virtual school psychologist and wellness coach. Courtney shares her journey into school psychology, her transition to virtual practice, and how she structures her work for...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with college learning disabilities specialist Elizabeth Hamblet to explore the complexities of transitioning to college for students with disabilities. Elizabeth shares her journey from high school special education to becoming a trusted expert in higher education support, revealing the disconnect between traditional K-12 training and the realities of colleg...

In this special episode of The School Collective Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Michael Gomez, a nationally recognized trauma expert and co-founder of the NCTSN Trauma and IDD Workgroup. Dr. Gomez shares his journey into clinical child psychology, shedding light on trauma as a toxin and how schools can better support students dealing with its effects. We dive into critical topics such as trauma sc...

Join us for a candid conversation with Huma, who you may know on Instagram as @the_school_psychologist, a seasoned school psychologist who shares invaluable insights on building confidence, setting boundaries, and embracing change in your early career. In this episode, Huma highlights the importance of nurturing children’s nervous systems and emotional intelligence during the formative years—long...