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 families in her community independently.

You’ll hear her enthusiasm for this transition as she talks about life changes and the red tape that motivated her to move to private practice ownership. Building connections and creating services that speak to the market, Amy is finding her footing and building a business she is proud of.

In this episode, Amy shares her passion for neurodiversity-affirming practices and her journey of promoting these practices, particularly in school psychology, where she discovered a surprising lack of guidance. Fueled by this mission, she developed trainings and authored a paper published in CASP, all aimed at empowering school psychologists to conduct assessments that uplift neurodivergent students. Her work is not just about advocacy but about making a tangible difference in the lives of these students, inspiring us all to do the same.

Her dedication to supporting students and families shines through as she explains how her private practice operates on the belief that all brains are beautiful and that it's essential for LEPs to help their clients recognize their unique strengths. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in a positive approach and the messages of the neurodiversity-affirming movement. 

Join us for an inspiring conversation that will leave you motivated and ready to make a difference in the lives of all students. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast player. It helps us reach more LEPs and professionals who can learn and grow from our content. 

Connect with Dr. Amy Merenda:
Website: www.amymerenda.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymerendalep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjeanburns

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

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 LEP, Zhanna noticed a gap in the digital tools available to educational psychologists. After working with an app developer, she created apps “Behavior Observation Made Easy” and “ABC Observation Made Easy”  to help provide reliable data for report writing. If you're an LEP or school psychologist looking to optimize your workflow and boost productivity, this episode is a must-listen. 

Zhanna also shares valuable lessons she's learned about balance, marketing, and the learning curve of becoming a practice owner. She emphasizes the importance of knowing when to outsource tasks and how leveraging the expertise of others can free up your time to focus on what truly matters. As LEPs get busier, this becomes even more critical for maintaining a successful and manageable practice.

Zhanna’s advice for LEPs is to think big, branch out, and try new things. The boundaries of our field are expanding, so don’t be afraid to get out there and forge your path. Tune in to hear more of Zhanna’s strategies and discover new tools that can help you save time and work smarter, not harder.

For more episodes and to connect with us, visit empowerlep.com/podcast. If you found this episode valuable, we would greatly appreciate your five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you more empowering stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

Stay inspired, and keep making a difference!

Connect with Zhanna Shekhtmeyster:

Websites: 
www.edpsychla.org
www.abcobserve.com
www.behaviormadeeasy.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://instagram.com/behaviormadeeasy
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhanna-shekhtmeyster-62595427

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

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.  

Tune in as Erin discusses the “why” behind her decision to work as an independent LEP through her small business. She shares her passion for helping families understand and navigate the school system without the red tape we encounter as district employees. As Erin found in her career, addressing the gaps in the information available about assessments and having the flexibility to help in meaningful ways is the driving force behind many LEPs' decisions to open a private practice. 
Erin’s practice is growing, and she shares what niche she focuses on, how she finds clients, networking advice, and her plans for the future. She opens up about her fears and uncertainties, the decision-making process, and why, despite the challenges, it was all worth it. You'll learn why stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to incredible personal growth and fulfillment and why so many who have made this change feel it's one of the best decisions they've ever made.
Whether you're thinking about making a similar move or just need a dose of inspiration, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical advice. Tune in to hear a success story that might just give you the nudge you need to take your own leap!

For more episodes and to connect with us, visit empowerlep.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more empowering stories and valuable insights for LEPs and supporting professionals.

Connect with Erin Crawford:
Website: empowered-psych.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095672192746

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

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 earned Diplomate status in school neuropsychology from the American Board of School Neuropsychology.

With a rich background spanning 28 years, Julie has worked as a clinician and consultant in public schools, universities, test publishing, private practice, and forensic settings. Her extensive experience and expertise provide a wide view into the world of neuropsychology and its relevance to those in our field. 

Julie shares her experience of training in neuropsychology and its practical application for LEPs searching to expand their education and credentials. We talk about neuropsychology a lot on the Empower LEP Podcast, but this is the first conversation where we really break it down for you. Listen in as Julie explains the specialized training required for professionals in this field and how neuropsychology helps assess and support children and adolescents with complex needs. 

With the increasing rate of children who have experienced neurological traumas and conditions, she underscores the importance of understanding these intricacies for both school-based and private practice professionals. Our discussion highlights how neuropsychological assessments can help us better understand and support these students, ensuring they receive the appropriate care and interventions they need to be successful.

Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of neuropsychology's role in educational settings and its impact on the lives of children and adolescents. Julie’s experience and passion for the field make this a must-listen episode for LEPs and other professionals working with young individuals with neurological challenges.

For more information on Dr. Julie Gettman’s work, visit schoolneuropsych.com. You can also contact her directly at [email protected] or find her on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-gettman-phd-ncsp-absnp-5a5b3956/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

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-building, highlighting how she has created a thriving business that not only fits her lifestyle but also paves the way for others in the field.

Our conversation touches on Christy’s journey from working as a teacher to transitioning to being a school psychologist, working part-time as an LEP, working for agencies, and finally opening her own agency. That’s quite a path! It has led her to be the CEO of a business utilizing the contract services of over 170 psychs and LEPs nationwide, who perform up to 500 monthly assessments. By contracting with professionals across multiple states, Christy has expanded her reach and provided school psychologists and LEPs the chance to explore new career possibilities outside the traditional work environment.

Her approach to business emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships, which has been a key component of her success. Not only is her NPA making bold moves in the LEP field, but Christy has also built a comprehensive proprietary portal that facilitates seamless assessments and communication, making it incredibly easy for school districts to collaborate with her team. 

Tune in to learn how Christy’s business model is not just making waves but revolutionizing the field of educational psychology. Her approach offers professionals the opportunity to achieve a better work-life balance while delivering exceptional services, a paradigm shift that is reshaping the industry. 


If you’re a school psychologist seeking more flexibility or an LEP interested in combining school contract work with private practice, this episode can open your eyes to the possibilities of creating a fulfilling and flexible career.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. For more episodes and to stay connected, visit EmpowerLEP.com. If you have any questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please contact me at [email protected]. 

You can learn more and connect with Dr. Christy Bock by visiting her website, cornerstoneeducationalsolutions.com.

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

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 LEP work in 2016, and then opening her own business. 

Jenny knew she didn’t really want a stagnant career in the educational system, but like many of us, her career took some twists and turns. Five year plans don’t always stay on course, but sometimes it turns out way better than you imagined. Listen as Jenny shares the pivotal moments that led her to where she is today. 

You’ll love hearing about Jenny’s passion for training and supporting school districts, how she gained the confidence to open a private practice, and her development of innovative online courses designed to fill a market need. This peek into how to expand your service offerings as an independent LEP is invaluable if you’re considering making a move to private practice. She even drops some golden nuggets of information about being an entrepreneur, building a team, and marketing your business.  

Her story is filled with valuable lessons for anyone in our field, motivation for remaining forward-thinking about your career, and a lot of heart. You’ll be reminded of the importance of following your passions and the impact you can have on the lives of students, families, and other professionals.

Tune in to this episode for an engaging and heartfelt conversation with Jenny. You’ll walk away inspired and ready to make a difference!

For more information and to connect with Jenny, visit www.jennyponzuric.com. You can also find her podcast, The Prepared School Psychologist, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Connect with Jenny:
https://jennyponzuric.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyponzuric
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyponzuric

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

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 consultation services to children and their families in the Bay Area. She is the author of The Brain Building Book and hosts the resourceful website explainingbrains.com, which is filled with tools for engaging children and families in understanding their learning and developmental differences in a neurodiversity-affirming way.  

Like many of us, Dr. Liz’s path to becoming an LEP was not a straight line. After discovering that teaching was not her strength, she pursued a degree in school psychology. Fueled by her passion to become a hub of resources and advocacy for children and families in her community, she gained credentials to work directly in the schools. 

While working in schools, Dr. Liz saw the incredible impact that focused support and feedback could have on children’s development and was inspired to do more. After many dedicated years working in the Oakland schools and community, Dr. Liz transitioned into entrepreneurship and opened her own private practice. Her work as an independent LEP is hyper-focused on the needs of the community, following some heartfelt advice that the work of an LEP is centralized around empowering people with knowledge and helping in any way you can. 

Join us for this inspiring conversation about becoming a solution-focused LEP who serves at the highest level. By offering solutions to both families and LEPs, providing endless resources, and constantly giving of herself, Dr. Liz is truly a model of success in our community. This episode embodies our values by providing a platform for thought leaders like Dr. Liz to share knowledge and experiences, ultimately enriching our collective understanding and practice.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel for more empowering content tailored for LEPs, educators, and adjacent professionals committed to making a difference. 

Connect with Dr. Liz Angoff: 

Email: [email protected]
Websites:
ExplainingBrains.com
DrLizAngoff.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLizAngoff
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explaningbrains

Jana Parker
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

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 growth.

Oscar opens up about how empathy and community have shaped his approach to educational psychology and how it influences him as he engages with the students in his schools. After working at the same schools for 13 years, Oscar has developed a strong sense of community and takes the passing of knowledge on to his students very seriously. This episode is rich with stories that resonate with anyone familiar with growing up in diverse neighborhoods with unique challenges.

Oscar brings tremendous value to our conversation with his insights into adapting to changing environments while maintaining one's roots. His ability to connect his personal history with his professional development offers a blueprint for psychology professionals aiming to grow in their careers without losing their foundational values. 

Join us as we explore Oscar’s journey and discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities within the field of educational psychology. His enthusiasm for all things LEP and beyond is sure to inspire you. 

Tune in to get motivated, learn a thing or two about making your mark, and remember, we’re all here to support each other—one episode, one story, one journey at a time.

Jana Parker
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

It’s Jana Parker here, and I have a special episode of the Empower LEP podcast for you today! Let’s talk about how to leverage your LEP to build the career and business you want - maybe the one you have been dreaming about but aren’t sure how to move forward. 

I've mentioned this before, but it’s important to understand that being an LEP doesn’t mean you have to be an entrepreneur. There are so many fulfilling ways to use your LEP skills without owning a business. The business aspect is a whole different skill set that you’ll constantly be learning and adapting to and that can feel overwhelming at first. The hard truth - it can even take you away from the heart of being a psychologist at times if you don’t have the proper support and resources. 

That being said, owning a private practice has been rewarding and inspiring for me, and I know some of you are considering that path for yourselves. In this bonus episode, I share how our LEP Launchpad Foundations program can help you figure out what that path looks like for you.

If you decide that running a business isn't for you, that’s completely okay! The program can help you make that decision, too. You can learn more about LEP Launchpad Foundations at:https://www.empowerlep.com/launchpad

I’m really excited about this journey, and I truly hope you’ll join me and the other LEPs who have already signed up to learn and grow together. 

Thank you for being part of this wonderful community!

Jana Parker
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

Welcome to another informative episode of the Empower LEP Collaborative Podcast! In today’s discussion, our special guest, Brian Sciacca, a special education attorney, shares an important perspective on how external evaluators can bring a fresh perspective to behavioral assessments in schools. 

Brian’s expertise sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of school programs and classroom dynamics. Listen as he explains the benefits of stepping back to see the "big picture" and hear accounts of teachers who've embraced these external recommendations to foster a more supportive learning environment. 

Brian's experience provides a compelling testament to the significant impact that independent assessments can have in educational settings. By bringing in an objective outsider's perspective, these evaluations are crucial in uncovering underlying issues that might be overlooked by school staff who are deeply embedded in their daily routines and existing frameworks.

Don't miss this episode, packed with practical advice for educators aiming to refine their strategies and ensure every student flourishes. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, Brian’s story will inspire and educate you. 

Subscribe for more stories from LEPs and adjacent professionals as we explore the complexities of educational psychology and support systems in schools.

Connect with Brian: 
Website : www.ieplaw.com
Email: [email protected]

Jana Parker
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/5836763413086491

Bethany Zoeller 
https://lepcollaborative.com
and the LEP Collaborative Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/731092298891507

The website for this show is https://empowerlepcollaborative.com