In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana sits down with Dr. Kelsie Reed, a Maryland-based school psychologist and passionate advocate for strength-based practices and equitable education. Dr. Reed shares how her personal and professional experiences shaped her approach to school psychology and her dedication to creating inclusive environments that prioritize student strengths. 

Dr. Reed discusses the work of her nonprofit, the Strength-Based Collective, where she’s making a lasting impact by helping school psychologists and educators shift the focus from deficits to strengths in student assessment and support. She shares practical tips on making assessment language more affirming, offering specific examples of how small changes can make a big difference in student confidence and resilience.

Throughout the conversation, Jana and Dr. Reed explore real-world challenges and solutions, from simplifying behavior plans to truly understanding what motivates students. They talk candidly about the systemic pressures in education and how practices like culturally responsive assessments and positive reinforcement can help students be successful, even within restrictive structures. 

And be sure to check out her book, Hacking Deficit Thinking, where she collaborates with other experts to provide actionable tools and insights for breaking away from traditional, deficit-focused approaches. 

Plus, Dr. Reed gives listeners an exclusive offer on her Processing Superheroes series—a strength-focused resource designed to help students develop emotional awareness and resilience. Empower LEP listeners can enjoy a 35% discount on the series! Just use the code EMPOWERLEP at checkout.

For school psychologists, LEPs, educators, or anyone committed to advocating for students, this episode is filled with valuable takeaways, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on what it means to create a supportive, inclusive educational experience for all students. 

Catch Episode 45 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to support the podcast and help us reach more LEPs and educators!

Connect with Dr. Kelsie Reed:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.strengthbasedcollective.com
Processing Superheroes: https://www.strengthbasedcollective.com/processing-superheroes
Instagram: @dr.kelsiereed @bestrengthbased
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Strength-Based-Collective-100089340530061/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsie-reed-phd-ncsp-a4220b158/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
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The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

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