The School Collective

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.

You’ll also get a peek at what’s to ...

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 Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• L...

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 state-level differences, and the impo...

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 efficiency and impact.

They explore ...

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 college accommodations.

We dive deep into ...

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 screening, the impact of racial sociali...

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 before academics take center stage. ...

In this dynamic episode of The School Collective Podcast, Chris, Amy, and Brook sit down with NASP President Dr. Peter Faustino for an in-depth conversation about the evolving landscape of school psychology. The discussion covers a broad spectrum of topics—from personal journeys into the field and memorable first conference experiences, to the pressing challenges of balancing professional standards with accessibility. The team shar...

In this episode, Christopher, Amy, Elvin, and Brook dive into a mix of lighthearted and deep discussions—from the struggles of dry winter skin to the complexities of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The team unpacks key legal cases, including Rowley and Endrew F., exploring how they shaped special education standards. They also discuss the importance of ambitious educational goals, the role of PLAAFP's in IEPs, and the cha...

In this episode, Christopher and Brooke sit down with the insightful Dr. Charles Barrett, a seasoned school psychologist, author, and all-around cool guy. They delve into Charles’ journey into school psychology, his passion for mentorship, and his significant contributions to the field through initiatives like the NASP Social Justice Task Force and his impactful books.

The discussion highlights the growing mental health challenges i...

In this episode, Christopher, Amy, and Brook welcome Dr. Lisa Aguilar (NCSP) and Loren Houle (NCSP, BCBA) to discuss their work as Indigenous school psychologists. The conversation explores decolonizing education, the importance of culturally responsible research, and the challenges faced by Native American students. Lisa shares insights into her critical relationality framework and experiences working with Native communities.

The t...

In this episode of The School Collective podcast, Christopher sits down with Juliana Ramirez, a bilingual school psychologist and the founder of PERA Services Inc. Juliana shares her inspiring journey from public school psychology to building her independent practice, where she partners with over 35 school districts across Ohio. She discusses her passion for culturally and linguistically responsive evaluations, supporting bilingual...

In this episode, we welcome special guest Elvin Houston (@school.lawyer), an attorney and partner at Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson to discuss the intersection of law and education. Elvin shares his journey into special education law, his unique presentation style, and his favorite topics to teach.

Join us as we dive into key issues impacting schools today, including:

• How to improve efficiency and accuracy in the r...

In this week's episode.....

The crew decided to sit down and have a conversation with no limitations or boundaries. We just let the recording go and saw what happened!

We touch on a bunch of different things:

• The current school year
• Life challenges
• Current Political Climate
• How it is affecting education
• Families

Listen to the end where we get misty-eyed and talk about our favorite things about our children!

Socials:

Christopher

Inst...

On this special episode, the crew discussed their personal experiences and the challenges faced by Latino families in accessing mental health services and navigating school systems with special guest Christian Herrera~

We emphasized the importance of understanding and appreciating the culture, traditions, and language of these families to facilitate conversations about mental health and disability. Christian also touched on the need...

On today's episode, we invite special guest Francis Chen to talk about utilizing the community to help our students. Francis has been able to help facilitate many aspects of the community into his student's lives. We discuss the role of school psychologists on campus and how we can expand the idea of what we can do to help our students.

Website: schoolcollective.net

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Chris - @theschoolpsychguy

Music by: J Andre...

In this episode, we explore the key ingredients to creating an uplifting and positive school culture with insights from school psychologists and our special guest, former principal Martin Silverman. We discuss the role of leadership, the importance of mental health support, and the power of collaboration between educators and mental health professionals. Martin shares his experiences fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment...

In this episode, we dive deep into the impact of toxic work environments on professionals in education. Join Chris, Brook, Amy, and special guest Melissa Mathews as we discuss the signs of workplace toxicity, the emotional toll it takes, and the burnout that often follows. Our guests share their personal stories and practical strategies for cultivating healthier, supportive, and more productive work environments. Whether you're nav...