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 Paloma’s work with Child Find, her role in psychological and cognitive testing, and her commitment to understanding students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds, especially for recent immigrants and children with complex needs. She offers a critical look at the limitations of standardized tests for bilingual students, emphasizing the need for culturally responsive assessment tools and improved national collaboration among bilingual evaluators.

Beyond assessment, Paloma opens up about student advocacy, the importance of respecting families’ perspectives, and her approach to parenting and child development. She also shares her cultural roots and personal reflections, offering listeners a glimpse into the heart behind her professional passion.

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 behavioral challenges.

The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration between OTs, teachers, and administrators, and touches on best practices for supervision when leaders may not share the same professional background. Mary Beth also offers practical tips for increasing OT visibility in schools, shares stories of bridging family-school differences, and looks ahead to OT’s expanding role in mental health and policy advocacy.

This thoughtful discussion underscores how occupational therapy not only removes barriers to learning but also helps shape more inclusive and responsive school communities.

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 the SETT framework, misconceptions about AT evaluations, and the growing role of AI in accessibility. Along the way, they share personal stories, reflect on their own professional journeys, and even explore the world of Sulcata tortoises, Aqua Zumba, and hypothetical medical careers.

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Music by: J. Andrew Collins

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 transitioning out of public education, her mission behind Empower LEP, and how she’s helping other professionals redefine success on their terms.

If you're curious about what it means to be an LEP, thinking about private practice, or want a dose of inspiration from someone who’s boldly paving her path, this episode is for you.

P.S. Follow Jana on Instagram at @themindbydesign and @empowerlep

P.S.S. And check out The Empower LEP Podcast wherever you listen!

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Jana Parker

• Instagram -@empowerlep
• Instagram - @themindbydesign

Music by: J. Andrew Collins

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 pressures athletes face, common misconceptions about the field, and the vital role parents play in supporting (not pushing) their young competitors. From managing perfectionism and game-day nerves to fostering intrinsic motivation and value-driven decision-making, this episode is packed with insights for anyone working with competitive youth.

Plus, stick around for a rapid-fire Q&A to hear Dr. Blakely’s hot takes on everything from Velociraptors to travel preferences.

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Dr. Blakely

• Instagram - @dr.blakely
• Website - https://www.dr-blakely.com/

Music by: J Andrew Collins

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 families through adversity. Sherri shares her career experiences, thoughts on boundary-setting, and her philosophy of resilience, offering listeners both practical tips and heartfelt wisdom. The episode closes with lighthearted reflections on camping, favorite snacks, and the importance of finding joy outside of work.

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Music by: J Andrew Collins

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 involvement with the statewide Silo 2 initiative, and how Alaska is building a stronger, more connected school psychology workforce. From freezing temperatures to culturally responsive practices, this episode highlights the resilience and innovation shaping school psychology in the 49th state.

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Music by: J Andrew Collins

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 Kitsons also open up about their unique paths into school psychology, their experiences navigating leadership roles at the state and national levels, and their hopes for a more tech-savvy, sustainable future in the field. From MTSS leadership in Kansas to licensing quirks in Missouri, and even a few hot takes on salsa and pineapple pizza—this episode blends practical solutions, professional insight, and personality.

Don’t miss the mid-episode commercial break for an exclusive listener deal on Copy Paste Report! Whether you’re drowning in cognitive batteries or looking to streamline your workflow, this is your chance to grab the tool at a discounted rate just in time for the new school year.

Copy Paste Report v4.0 drops this August, and this conversation is the perfect primer.

Follow this link to get a discounted subscription. (Don't forget to get the special code in our episode!):

https://www.copypastereport.com/podcast

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Music By: