SPP 188: Dr. Rebecca Branstetter

Join #psychedpodcast as we catch up with Dr. Branstetter! https://rebeccabranstetter.com/ Rebecca Branstetter Ph.D., is a school psychologist, speaker, and author on a mission to help children be the best they can be in school and in life by supporting school psychologists, educators, and families. A sought-after speaker and national media expert, Rebecca’s expertise in supporting school psychologists, parents, teachers, and students in the public school system has appeared in various publications, including Huffington Post, NPR, CNN, Washington Post, and Parents Magazine. She and her husband are proud parents to two daughters and two furry husky dogs in the San Francisco Bay Area.

SPP 187: Minu Thomas and Lindsay Bourdeau on DBT Applications

Come chat on DBT!

https://www.cbc-psychology.cognitivebehavioralconsultants.com/cbc-staff/minu-thomas-psyd

Minu Thomas, Psy.D. is Director of Consulting Services at CBC where she oversees a large team of trainers and consultants as well as trains and consults to numerous schools, agencies and organizations nationally. She is a licensed psychologist in New York, certified school psychologist in New York and New Jersey, and holds a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology. Dr. Thomas has worked in a range of school settings in New Jersey and New York for the past 15 years as a school psychologist and Chairperson for the Committee on Special Education and Section 504. Most recently, Dr. Thomas was the Director of Pupil Personnel Services in Edgemont School District. Dr. Thomas has participated in hundreds of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Section 504 meetings in both New York and New Jersey with an extensive understanding of IDEA and OCR regulations. While a school psychologist at the Bronxville School District, she served as DBT Team Leader among many other responsibilities there. Dr. Thomas received a B.S. in psychology from Rutgers University. She received her M.S.E.d in school psychology at Queens College, and educational leadership at Bank Street College of Education. Additionally, she received her Doctor of Psychology degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her doctoral dissertation was “Program Evaluation of an Executive Functions Intervention at a Middle School Setting” and her master’s thesis was on “Multicultural Competence of School Psychologists and its Effect on Appropriate Service Delivery to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students and Their Families.” Dr. Thomas has supervised trainees at the masters and doctoral levels and was previously an adjunct professor at Rutgers University and Iona College. In these various roles, Dr. Thomas has chaired multiple committees, participated in and led numerous professional learning experiences on a wide variety of topics, initiated and supported many broad-based program development projects. She has worked extensively with students, parents, faculty members, administrators, and practitioners about special education, mental health, curriculum and instruction, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Dr. Thomas was instrumental in the implementation of comprehensive school-based DBT and creating a scope and sequence for the universal lessons at Bronxville School. She has created and taught an online course on DBT and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion as well as Action Research courses for K-12 educators. Dr. Thomas has conducted district-wide training on multi-tiered systems of support, positive behavior supports, resilience, executive functioning, inclusion, diversity, belonging, & equity. Dr. Thomas is passionate about supporting the mental health of children and their families through a strength based and culturally responsive lens.

https://www.cbc-psychology.com/cbc-staff/lindsay-boudreau-ma-cas-lpc

Lindsay Boudreau, LPC, is a full-time School Consultant at CBC. Lindsay is a certified school psychologist and a licensed professional counselor who has experience working with students and school staff of all grade levels. Lindsay completed her bachelor’s degree at Loyola University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Spanish. She earned her master’s degree in School Psychology from Fairfield University. Lindsay is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She comes to CBC having worked in several school districts in Connecticut over the past eight years. Her work involved implementing a variety of social-emotional interventions for a wide range of students. She also conducted comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations, developed Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and 504 accommodation plans, and provided individual and group counseling. While working within school settings, Lindsay developed and implemented district-wide Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) classes as well as companion parent and teacher trainings. She led parent and staff workshops on developmental and social-emotional topics. She was an active member of the school district’s Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence Ruler Committee. Lindsay has also worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice for five years. Lindsay’s clinical practice was rooted in evidence-based treatments including DBT and CBT. She worked with a variety of populations including adults and children diagnosed with anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning disabilities, grief, trauma, and self-harm.

SPP 186: Building a Brighter Future: Unleashing Positive Behavior Interventions within MTSS

#psychedpodcast is excited for a great conversation! https://www.stacywilliamsphd.com/

Dr. Stacy A. S. Williams is the Director of New York State Education Department multi-tiered system of supports-integrated (MTSS-I) center located at the University at Albany, an adjunct associate professor and Director of Field Training at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, a Licensed Psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and Permanent Certified School Psychologist in New York State. Her years of working with groups of K-12 at-risk learners in both urban and rural communities have provided her with clear insights into the frustrations, challenges and joys of working as a school psychologist with limited resources. Dr. Williams has consulted with Instructional Support Teams (IST) in upstate New York and Bridgeport, CT working closely with school psychologists, general educators, administrators, and support staff integrating RTI initiatives at the IST level. Additionally, Dr. Williams has consulted internationally, bringing RTI strategies to rural classrooms in Jamaica. Dr. Williams has extensive experience collecting and managing systems’ data and developing whole class or individual interventions. In the past, Dr. Williams and her students at the University at Albany have worked with New York State Behavior Specialists helping them deliver effective Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) training to identified districts and schools in New York State. Dr. Williams’ area of research focuses on how to effectively communicate research findings to teachers and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and supporting teachers through consultation and the development of “responsive PD” as they deliver Tier 1 and 2 supports. Dr. Williams is also involved in social justice initiatives, training and research at the tertiary level. As a founding member of Creating Inclusive Communities (CIC) and inaugural director of Marist College Diversity Leadership Institute (MCDLI) at Marist, Dr. Williams and her colleagues have provided diversity and equity training to faculty and staff to support diversity and inclusion activities in the classroom and in the wider campus community. Dr. Williams regularly provides training in social justice, creating inclusive classrooms, academic and behavioral interventions, data-based decision-making for teachers, and university/school partnerships. Dr. Williams is an immigrant from Jamaica, who is proud of her birth land’s accomplishments on the world stage (i.e., track & field). She welcomes any opportunity to share the beauty of her homeland with others.

https://apps.nasponline.org/professional-development/asi/speaker-bio.aspx?id=182 https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleta-joseph-a14732b4?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Carleta Joseph is a certified school psychologist with knowledge in applied behavior analysis, higher education administration, program evaluation and grants management. She has a passion for parent and family advocacy as well as transition services for students with disabilities, the advancement of Black School Psychologists nationwide and leadership development opportunities for women of color. She currently serves as the President of the New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP) and is the co-founder and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Black School Psychologists Network (BSPN, Inc).

SPP 185: Dr. Faustino and Messages of Hope

Join #psychedpodcast Sunday for a special episode featuring Dr. Peter Faustino, NASP President! In these challenging times for education, we know Dr. Faustino will be able to share messages of hope and resilience for school psychologists and educators. We look forward to discussing: • The crucial role of school psychologists as agents of positive change • Strategies for maintaining focus on well-being amid uncertainty • The power of relationships and collaboration in educational settings Don’t miss this conversation that will surely remind us of our potential to make a difference. Tune in to find community and renewed purpose and optimism for our vital work in supporting all students!

SPP 184: Dyslexia: Its nature, cause, and prevention

#psychedpodcast is excited to welcome Dr. Hugh Catts! This presentation begins with a discussion of the primary characteristics of dyslexia. The dimensional nature of reading/spelling and its implication for the identification of dyslexia is considered. Next, a multifactorial causal model is presented that highlights the risk and resilience factors associated with dyslexia. This is followed by a discussion of the negative impact of dyslexia on academic achievement, psychosocial development, and quality of life. Finally, a prevention model is presented that discusses how early identification and intervention can significantly reduce the negative consequences associated with dyslexia. Dr. Catts is Professor of the School of Communication Science and Disorders at Florida State University. His research interests include the early identification and prevention of reading disabilities. He is a past board member of the International Dyslexia Association and past board member and President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading. He has received the Samuel T. Orton Award from the International Dyslexia Association and the Honors of the Association from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for his career contributions in each of these disciplines. His current research concerns the early identification of reading and language disabilities and the nature and assessment of reading comprehension problems.

SPP 183: 504 and IEP Legal Discussion

Last school year #psychedpodcast co-host Rachael went through a 504 hearing as a parent in support of her child with a 504 plan. Hear about that experience, with legal commentary and opinions from Lloyd Donders, special education law attorney! Bring your legal questions and let’s see where the conversation goes.

We were lucky enough to have Mr. Donders on twice before: https://www.youtube.com/live/86kDi_tlH90?si=YmTlJlhXlDrF43e7 https://www.youtube.com/live/btM6PM4El0Q?si=xysjq8788waxOdaY

https://specialedlegalinfo.com/ Lloyd’s first exposure to Education Law was back in 1996. He started as a litigation attorney, but it wasn’t until his wife and he learned that they had a child with special needs that he found his true passion. He had to advocate and, at times, battle for their child to get his needs met by his school. As difficult as it was for him, an attorney, to fight for his son’s rights, it made him appreciate how many families were struggling even more with this. It can be overwhelming. It was this realization that led him to change his practice to Special Education almost eight years ago. He understands what parents of children with disabilities are going through because he went through it; and is still going through it.

Lloyd earned his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and a Bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law & Special Needs Section, its Special Education Committee, and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (“COPAA”). He is admitted in New York State and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern District of New York. Lloyd frequently gives presentations to parents and professionals on special education topics and makes regular appearances on podcasts and video podcasts. He lives in Hastings-on-Hudson with his wife and two children.

SPP 182: Upping Your Report Writing With ClickReport

Join #psychedpodcast as well welcome back fellow school psych, Jenna! You can catch our first episode on ClickReport here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Xl-DgSKMZQ4?si=YrSjuUv93X6_hPR7

Read her story here:

MY NAME IS JENNA AND I HAVE BEEN YOU…

I know how it feels. I entered the field of school psychology because I wanted a career that was intellectually stimulating and allowed me to reach my ultimate goal—helping as many kids as possible. I loved being a school psychologist in the field, however, I often got frustrated about the guilt I felt from not being able to do more to help my students and schools. I felt like I was armed with the knowledge and ability to do so, but my time ended up spent mostly on the monotonous tasks within report writing.

In July of 2016, I went on maternity leave with my first child and began to worry about being able to maintain an appropriate work/life balance when it was time to go back to work. I was gripped with this idea about how to solve the problem of wanting to do the most for everyone with only a finite amount of time per day.

I started to research coding every free moment that I got and began to teach myself how to code. Since this was something very new to me, I was surprised by how much I loved it and how easily I slipped into flow. After a lot of trial and error, I created the first ClickReport smart template and presented my work to my colleagues. I will never forget the silence that seemed to fall upon the room after I was done presenting, then finally one person let out a very long, “WOW”. I will be forever grateful that after that moment my team pushed me to continue to work on this passion project.

I realized that if I could help others be more efficient it would mean that I am indirectly able to help more students. I realized I could make a bigger impact by tackling the problem at the source, and now I am devoting my career to empowering and equipping other educational evaluators to do more and be more for the students who need them.

https://schoolpsychclickreport.com/about/

SPP 181 – Systemic Self-Care

#psychedpodcast is so excited to have Dr. Imad Zaheer back! Tune in Sunday night for a great conversation.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Imad-Zaheer

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37561430/

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rbuh09fPWnYu-5L1ESA2X1xUxSimwOYz/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104669229091021738930&rtpof=true&sd=true

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B7URpsooWueVyalpW1gu7-48FklcIp4h/view?usp=drive_link

Dr. Imad Zaheer is an Assistant Professor of School Psychology in the Department of Psychology, at St. John’s University. Dr. Zaheer is a pediatric school psychologist and has worked on numerous projects in clinics, hospitals, and public and alternative school settings that involve direct and indirect (consultation) services across individual, group (classrooms) and systems level. His areas of interest are in developing assessments and interventions for children with emotional and behavioral challenges and creating comprehensive school-based prevention programs by integrating school mental health (SMH), social emotional learning (SEL) and school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (SW-PBIS). For his work in these areas, Dr. Zaheer was awarded the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Professional Performance Award in 2019. Additionally, Dr. Zaheer sits on the steering committee for the national group, Family School Community Alliance (FSCA), which is an organization dedicated to creating robust collaboration and engagement across schools and families/community settings. Dr. Zaheer is the co-founder of the Nurturing Environments Institute (NEI).

SPP 172: NASP President Dr. Andrea Clyne

Join #psyched podcast as we speak with our NASP president!

https://www.nasponline.org/about-school-psychology/media-room/files/meet-the-2023%E2%80%932024-nasp-president-dr-andrea-clyne

Andrea Clyne, PhD, LP, is President of the National Association of School Psychologists (2023–2024) and a licensed school psychologist with over 30 years of experience as a school-based practitioner in Colorado. Andrea has spent many years working with her educator colleagues to advance safe and welcoming school environments, equitable practices, and multitiered systems of support (MTSS). Her leadership experiences include serving as district lead school psychologist; leading her school’s special education, PBIS, and MTSS teams; and serving on her district MTSS team. Advocating at the school, district, state, and national levels has reinforced her beliefs that change is possible, that everyone can be a change agent, and that building relationships is critical to success. Active in her state association leadership for 20 years, Andrea developed a passion for promoting the comprehensive school psychologist training and role. Andrea has also maintained a clinical practice, providing evaluations and psychotherapy for children, teens, and their parents. Before becoming NASP President, Andrea served for nearly a decade in NASP leadership in various roles, including as Colorado Delegate, NASP Practice Model Committee Chair, 2020 Practice Model Revision Writing Team Lead (as part of NASP’s 2020 Professional Standards revision), Western Delegate Representative, and President-Elect on the NASP Board of Directors. Throughout her presidency, Andrea hopes to shine a light on school psychologists’ important role as champions on behalf of students and for improving school and community systems to enable all students to thrive. In addition to her professional interests, Andrea loves music, reading, hiking, dancing, and spending time with her husband, daughters, family, and friends.

SPP 179: Measures and Interventions for Numeracy Development

Join us as #psychedpodcast talks with Dr. Poncy and Dr. Duhon on math!

https://brianponcy.wixsite.com/mind

Brian C. Poncy, PhD., is an Associate Professor in the College of Education at Oklahoma State University. He is a recipient of the 2005 Outstanding Dissertation Award from Division 16 (School Psychology) of the American Psychological Association and the School Psychology Review 2015 Honorable Mention Article of the Year. Dr. Poncy’s research focuses on academic interventions and behavioral principles of learning, specifically in the area of mathematics. He teaches classes focusing on the design, selection, implementation, and evaluation of academic interventions and single-case research designs. He has published approximately 20 research articles and book chapters.

Gary J. Duhon, Ph.D., is currently a Professor and Director of Training for the School Psychology PhD program at Oklahoma State University. His areas of research include response to intervention, direct behavioral interventions, academic intervention techniques and increasing treatment integrity of teacher run interventions. Dr. Duhon received his doctoral degree from Louisiana State University. He has worked with individual districts in Oklahoma and Louisiana to enhance pre-referral intervention procedures in an effort to reduce over referral concerns and enhance student achievement. He has also assisted in the design and implementation of response to intervention models in Oklahoma school districts.