Tomorrow's School Psych

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Karen Silberman to talk about the VMAT, the Visual Motor Abilities Test, and why this new digital assessment tool could make life a whole lot easier for school psychologists.

We get into what makes it different, how the automatic scoring works, and why moving away from rulers, protractors, and hand scoring could be such a big shift for the field.

We also talk about the research behind the test, the benefits of updated post-COVID norms, and what is coming next as the tool expands.

This on...

In this episode, I’m talking about efficiency, but not in the usual way. Instead of throwing random productivity tips at an already overloaded schedule, I’m walking through a more useful approach, figuring out what the actual problem is first. Because sometimes you do need a better system, and sometimes the job is simply asking too much of you.

I also share the four questions I use to spot where inefficiency is really coming from, along with a personal example of how I avoid the tasks that need the most brainpower.

This one is prac...

In this episode, I’m joined by Tim to talk about report writing, efficiency, and why so many school psychologists need a better system.

We get into the real frustrations behind writing thorough reports, the decision fatigue that builds up fast, and what inspired Tim to create a tool that feels more intuitive, supportive, and actually usable.

We also talk about AI, workflow, mental health, and why saving time is about more than productivity. It can create more space to support students well.

And yes, we also cover the cookie game inside the pr...

In this episode, I’m joined by Tim to talk about report writing, efficiency, and why so many school psychologists need a better system.

We get into the real frustrations behind writing thorough reports, the decision fatigue that builds up fast, and what inspired Tim to create a tool that feels more intuitive, supportive, and actually usable.

We also talk about AI, workflow, mental health, and why saving time is about more than productivity. It can create more space to support students well.

And yes, we also cover the cookie game inside the pr...

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most useful lenses we can bring to student evaluation, executive functioning.

I talk through when I start looking more closely at these skills, especially when the data is not lining up and a student’s classroom performance tells a very different story from their test results.

I also walk through how I assess executive functioning, both with formal tools and without them, because sometimes the most important clues are sitting right there in the classroom, the backpack, or the work samples.

This one is p...

Have you ever wondered what it would look like to use your school psych skills outside of a traditional K 12 role?

In this episode, I’m continuing our conversation about alternative career paths and focusing on private practice, what it actually looks like and what it doesn’t.

I share my journey of becoming a Licensed Educational Psychologist, keeping that license in my back pocket, and eventually building a practice centered on executive functioning support, learning disabilities, and ADHD.

If you’re feeling burned out, curious, or just craving more flexibility, this episode is you...

In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Hamblet, a nationally recognized expert on the transition to college for students with disabilities.

With more than two decades of experience working in college disability services offices, Elizabeth shares what really changes after high school and why so many students arrive on campus with expectations that simply don’t match reality.

We talk about the biggest misconceptions around accommodations, why IEPs and 504 plans don’t transfer, and how well intentioned supports in K–12 can sometimes make independence harder.

This conversation is a must listen for school...

Have you ever quietly wondered, do I really want to be doing this exact version of the job for the next 20 years?

In this episode, I’m kicking off a mini series exploring the different ways school psychologists can use their credentials beyond the traditional K–12 role, and I’m starting with what was possible inside my own district.

I share how pursuing additional training in school neuropsychology and getting deeply involved in MTSS work completely shifted my career path without requiring me to leave.

This episode is about asking better questions, building new sk...

Interview season can feel intense, especially in school psychology where you’re often sitting in front of a full panel and being asked to explain complex, real world work on the spot.

In this episode, I’m sharing three practical tips to help you feel clear, confident, and prepared whether you’re interviewing for internship, your first job, or a new district.

We’ll talk about how to answer “tell us about yourself” without rambling, why your closing questions matter more than you think, and what to do when you genuinely don’t know an answer. You do...

In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly Mobeck, also known as Coach Kelly, a certified performance and leadership coach with over two decades of experience supporting high achieving professionals.

Together, we talk about overwhelm, that heavy, all consuming feeling so many of us carry, and why it’s not a sign that you’re failing or doing something wrong.

Kelly shares practical, grounded strategies to help you create relief in the moment, along with deeper insights into how perfectionism, people pleasing, and self doubt quietly fuel burnout.

This conversation is about finding clarit...

This episode is a thoughtful, practical conversation for anyone working in schools who wants to support LGBTQ students without feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start.

I’m joined by Katie Pettersen, a school psychologist with deep experience advocating for students, families, and staff in an increasingly complex educational landscape.

We talk about what affirming support can actually look like day to day, from small signals of safety in your office to navigating evolving policies, systemic barriers, and burnout.

This isn’t about doing everything or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s...

Today’s episode is part three of my series on knowing your tools and strengthening eligibility practices, and we’re focusing on low incidence disabilities.

I’m walking through three practical tips to help you evaluate students with hearing impairments, visual impairments, or orthopaedic impairments in a way that’s accurate, equitable, and truly team-based.

We talk intentional tool selection (with specialists at the table), how to avoid accidental over-testing by mapping responsibilities, and how to interpret specialist results so your eligibility statements are clear, educationally relevant, and legally defensible.

If low incidence cases ev...

Today I’m talking autism evaluations, specifically how to do them thoughtfully, collaboratively, and in a way that actually reflects the whole student.

This is part two of my eligibility series (part one was learning disabilities), and I’m sharing three practical tips you can put into play immediately.

We’re getting into why your speech-language pathologist is not an “extra” on the team, how understanding their tools helps you write a clearer eligibility statement, and why a quick team conversation before decisions get made can save everyone from messy, disconnected data.

Highlights:

(01:3...

Can we talk learning disabilities for a second? Because SLD evaluations live right at that messy intersection of data, instruction, and real human experience, and it’s one of my favorite areas to nerd out on.

In this episode I’m sharing three quick tips that can make your evaluations clearer, more accurate, and way more connected to actual educational impact.

We’ll hit the practical stuff, like really understanding what your academic subtests are truly measuring (even if you’re not the one administering them), then zoom out to how those standard scores do or don’t...

In this episode, I’m talking teacher consultation with Michelle Valdivieso, and she brings the kind of calm, seasoned clarity that makes you instantly rethink how you walk into a classroom.

We get into what consultation is really for, how it’s changed with rising behavior needs, and why being “the testing person” is the fastest way to stay invisible.

We also talk about the tricky stuff, like consulting when you don’t have a teaching background, getting real buy in (especially pre referral), and how to support teachers without accidentally insulting them.

If you’ve...

This episode is a reminder that present levels are not just for students. They matter for you too. Our work changes constantly, and so do we, which means taking a moment to assess where we are right now can bring clarity, calm and direction. 

Today I walk you through a quick reflection you can use any time of year to check in on how you are doing and what might need adjusting.

We look at your relationships at work, how your time is spent and the thoughts that shape your experience each day. With small s...

This episode is for anyone who ends the day wondering how they were busy for eight hours yet somehow still have a full to do list. 

Our attention is constantly pulled in every direction, and sustaining focus has become one of the most valuable executive functioning skills we have. Today I break down what gets in the way of deep focus and how to make attention feel easier, not heavier.

You will learn how to identify your biggest distractions, why your personal patterns matter, and how to choose one simple habit that can improve your f...

This episode is packed with heart, honesty, and the real work happening behind the scenes to grow our field. I sat down with three incredible leaders who are reshaping how we recruit, support, and retain school psychologists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. 

Their energy is contagious, and their commitment to creating a more welcoming profession shines through in every story they share.

Kristin (president), Anna (past president), and Marissa (president elect) make up the presidential trio of the Washington State Association of School Psychologists (WSASP). Together, they represent school psychologists across Washington through local, state, a...

This episode was such an energizing conversation, because it highlights something every school psychologist eventually faces, that moment when a policy shift threatens your work and you have to decide how to respond. 

Kim and Mike walked me through a real situation in Indiana where their scope of practice was suddenly on the line, and how fast, coordinated action changed the outcome. It is a reminder that we are not powerless, even when legislation feels intimidating or unclear.

We also talk about the fears many psychs have around contacting legislators, and how personal stories carry m...

This episode is a short, powerful reminder of how easily projection shows up in our daily work. 

When we are tired, stretched thin or overloaded with meetings and deadlines, it is so tempting to hand our stress to someone else without even realizing we are doing it. 

I talk through the phrases we all catch ourselves using, the ones that push responsibility outward, and how a small shift toward reflection can feel grounding instead of draining. This is especially helpful during those midyear months when our August goals feel miles away.

I also ex...

I had such a great conversation in this episode, because it taps into a feeling so many of us know well. We entered school psychology excited to work directly with kids, then suddenly found ourselves buried in testing cycles and report writing. 

Talking with Dr. Zack Maupin was a reminder that our skills stretch far beyond that loop, and that it is absolutely possible to make space for more meaningful, hands-on work.

Zack shares practical, realistic ways to shift your role without adding chaos to an already full plate. We talk interventions, behavior plans, counseling t...

In this episode, I sit down with Leah Kuypers, the occupational therapist and creator of the Zones of Regulation, to talk about how this simple yet powerful framework has reshaped how educators understand and support emotional well-being in schools. 

Leah shares the story behind the Zones, what inspired her to create it, and how it continues to evolve to meet the needs of neurodiverse learners today.

We also dive into the shift from behavior management to skill-building, why co-regulation is the unsung hero of classroom life, and what’s next for the Zones—including the new d...

If you’ve ever said, “I just need the right planner,” this episode is for you. 

Time management isn’t always about color-coded calendars or fancy systems - sometimes it’s really about attention, impulsivity, or working memory. 

I break down how executive functioning impacts your ability to manage time and why improving your focus or task initiation might be the real solution.

I also share practical strategies educators and school psychologists can use right away, from using the Pomodoro Technique to setting better boundaries and digital reminders that actually stick. 

Let’s find th...

Preschool evaluations are a whole different world, and in this episode, I chat with Erin MacIntyre about what makes assessing three and four-year-olds so unique. 

We talk about how play-based assessments can reveal just as much as standardised tests, how to work effectively with families who are part of the process, and what makes a great multidisciplinary team tick. 

Erin also shares the three key areas she focuses on when evaluating cognition in preschoolers, along with her top advice for new school psychs stepping into early childhood.

It’s full of practical insight, gent...

Data can tell a story, but only if we know how to read it. 

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Curt Merlau, Vice President of Resultant’s Education Practice, to talk about how schools can move from simply admiring data to actually acting on it. 

Curt shares how his team uses technology and human-centered design to make data meaningful, improve mental-health supports, and give educators the tools they need to make smarter, faster decisions. 

We dig into AI, early intervention, and why no dashboard or algorithm can replace an educator’s intuiti...

In this episode, I’m talking about something that quietly shapes how we communicate and lead - the words we choose. 

We explore the concept of soft talk - phrases like “maybe,” “I’ll try,” or “hopefully” - and how they create uncertainty in our goals and interactions. I break down why we use soft talk, how it impacts clarity and accountability, and what happens when we start replacing it with solid talk instead.

This short episode will help you recognize when language is helping you think versus holding you back. You’ll walk away with practical tool...

In this episode, I chat with executive functioning coach and veteran educator Carrie Bonnett who shares her journey from classroom teaching to helping students and adults strengthen essential life skills. 

Carrie’s warmth and honesty shine through as she explains what executive functioning really is, why it matters, and how we can all support students (and ourselves) in developing focus, organization, and emotional regulation without shame or judgment.

We explore the small shifts that make a big difference - from visible instructions and timers to building accountability and curiosity in classrooms and homes. 

Whet...

In this episode, I talk with Iuri Melo, licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of School Pulse, a service reaching more than 100,000 students across the U.S. with evidence-based mental health support.

We explore how a simple text twice a week can spark real conversations, build resilience, and help schools stay proactive instead of waiting for crisis moments. Irui shares the story behind School Pulse, why prevention is so hard to measure, and how kindness plus data can be a powerful force for change. 

This conversation will leave you rethinking how we connect with and p...

In this episode, I explore the language we use with ourselves, our colleagues, and our students - especially those sneaky negation statements. 

Words like can’t, don’t, won’t, and shouldn’t seem harmless, but they often keep us stuck by focusing attention on exactly what we don’t want.

I share examples of how these statements show up in our daily lives, why they reinforce frustration and helplessness, and how simple reframes into affirmations can shift the entire conversation. 

By focusing on what we do want, we open the door to problem-solv...

In this episode, I’m joined by Wendy Taylor, the host of The Special Ed Strategist podcast and founder of Learning Essentials. 

Wendy has such a wealth of experience as an educational therapist, IEP coach, and advocate for families. 

We talk about what it really takes to build strong support systems between schools and parents, how to make interventions meaningful, and why keeping communication at the centre of everything can change outcomes for students.

Highlights:

(02:02) Wendy's journey into special education

(06:21) Wendy’s son's cancer survival

(10:11) Parents feeling overwh...

In this episode, I’m joined by Wendy Taylor, the host of The Special Ed Strategist podcast and founder of Learning Essentials. 

Wendy has such a wealth of experience as an educational therapist, IEP coach, and advocate for families. 

We talk about what it really takes to build strong support systems between schools and parents, how to make interventions meaningful, and why keeping communication at the centre of everything can change outcomes for students.

Highlights:

(02:02) Wendy's journey into special education

(06:21) Wendy’s son's cancer survival

(10:11) Parents feeling overwh...

In this episode, I sit down with Bonnie Contreras, Senior Director of Clinical Solutions at Presence, to talk about the future of remote service delivery in school psychology. 

Bonnie’s unique journey as a military spouse and school psychologist across multiple states led her to teletherapy, where she’s passionate about increasing access for students and supporting districts through innovative solutions. 

We discuss the benefits and challenges of teletherapy, building trust in virtual environments, and how practitioners can embrace technology without losing the human connection.

Bonnie shares why teletherapy is not just possible but po...

Imposter syndrome shows up for so many of us, but what if it is not really about being a fraud at all? 

In this episode, I share a simple reframe that can shift the way you think about those moments of self-doubt. Instead of imposter syndrome, what if we called it beginner syndrome? 

By changing the words we use, we can normalize uncertainty, reduce stress, and remind ourselves that it is natural to feel unsure when stepping into something new.

I also talk about when beginner syndrome is most likely to show up, ho...

Emotional intelligence isn’t just for students - it’s a game-changer for school psychologists, too. 

In this episode, I sit down with Serena Renee, a former school psych turned leadership and trauma coach, to talk about how understanding our emotions can transform how we lead, advocate, and collaborate.

From setting boundaries without guilt to shifting negative self-talk into curiosity, Serena shares practical strategies for building stronger relationships with colleagues, parents, and students. 

Whether you’re brand new to the field or leading a team, you’ll walk away with tools to manage stress, bu...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amy Merenda, a licensed educational psychologist, to talk about what it really means to “lead” when you’re not technically the boss. 

We share practical strategies for building trust, improving communication, and growing as a leader in your school - even without formal authority. 

Amy opens up about her early experiences, lessons she wishes she’d known, and how self-reflection and boundaries can change everything. 

Whether you’re brand new to the field or a seasoned school psych ready for a reset, this conversation is packed with i...

Change in schools can feel painfully slow, but what if the key to progress is patience and influence? 

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amit Bosmia, a nationally certified school psychologist and respected leader in mental health and special education. 

We talk about the power of relationships, what true advocacy looks like, and how even small shifts can spark real transformation for students and staff.

Amit shares his journey, his research on strengthening teacher-student relationships, and how school psychologists can expand their roles beyond testing to become trusted partners in creating be...

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dr Byron McClure, the creator of School Psych AI and someone who’s making a real impact in our field. 

We talk about what responsible use of AI looks like, how it can ease the pressure of endless report writing, and why protecting student data has to stay front and centre. 

Whether you’re already experimenting with AI or still feeling a bit cautious, this conversation will give you practical insights and plenty to think about.

Highlights:

(00:51) Why Byron built School Psych AI

(19...

We all know the “what if” game, but usually it shows up as worry or self-doubt.

In this first episode, I flip it on its head and share how asking better “what if” questions can shift your mindset, spark creativity, and even make everyday goals more achievable.

From adding more movement to focusing on what’s already working, I walk you through examples that helped me rethink my own week. I’ll also give you a simple seven-day challenge you can try right away.

Small questions can spark big change, and your brain is ready for...

Hosted by Jenny Ponzuric - school psychologist turned neuropsychologist, former administrator, professor, and lifelong learner - this podcast explores what’s next in the world of school psychology and special education.

Each episode gives you clarity, strategies, and resources to make your work feel a little easier while strengthening how you support students and families. Expect practical tools, career insights, and honest conversations about the evolving role of school psychologists.

From student advocacy and leadership skills to navigating self-talk and professional growth, this is a space for lifelong learners who care deeply about making a di...