SPP 195: From Retained to Resilient with Dr. Gary Schaffer

From Retained to Resilient: Living with Disabilities, Defying the Odds, and Redefining School Psychology Practice Please join #psychedpodcast for this informative conversation! In this episode of School Psyched! Podcast, Dr. Gary E. Schaffer joins School Psyched! Podcast to share his experiences navigating the educational system as a student with ADHD, a learning disability, and a physical disability. Now a school psychologist, mental health counselor, and assistant professor of School Psychology at Niagara University, Dr. Schaffer reflects on how early educational experiences—including academic retention, public disclosure of his disability, and lowered expectations—shaped his personal and professional path to challenging systemic barriers in education. The conversation explores the challenges of accessing equitable support in both K–12 and higher education, including ableist policies, bias in standardized testing, and institutional barriers within graduate training and outside of it. Dr. Schaffer also discusses the importance of advocacy, mentorship, and systemic change in the field of school psychology. This episode offers a candid and thoughtful examination of disability, persistence, and the need for inclusive practices in education and psychology. It is intended for educators, practitioners, students, and anyone interested in understanding the lived realities behind disability advocacy and reform.

Biography: Growing up as a struggling student with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a learning disability, Gary E. Schaffer, PhD, has dedicated his professional life to helping all learners succeed. After earning his bachelor’s degree in special education and English, Gary went on to obtain a PhD in school psychology and become both a school psychologist and a clinical mental health counselor. Before obtaining his PhD, Gary practiced as a school psychologist in school, hospital, and state agency settings for over a decade, primarily working with diverse learners and individuals with developmental disabilities. Currently, Gary is a full-time Assistant Professor at Niagara University, where he teaches graduate students in school psychology and counseling. He has authored numerous scholarly articles, books, book chapters, and programs on topics such as COVID-19, MTSS, autism, disability advocacy, and school psychology leadership, and he has consulted and presented nationally on these subjects. His two most recent books, published by SAGE and Routledge, are Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: A Practical Guide to Preventative Practice and Implementing Universal Social-Emotional Programs: A Step-by-Step Guide for Schools. He also offers consultation and presentations on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and best practices in prevention under three-tiered frameworks, such as RTI and SWPBS.