In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, Amber Gibson, North Carolina School Psychologist of the Year (2021) and President of the North Carolina School Psychology Association, joins the show. Amber discusses her career journey, including her extensive experience in leadership roles and her current efforts to improve pay and staffing for school psychologists in North Carolina. She shares insights about using AI ethically in school psychology, maintaining professional boundaries, and managing leadership responsibilities, all while balancing family life. Amber also talks about the importance of being prepared and continuously learning in the field of school psychology.

Resources:

NCSPA Website: https://www.ncspaonline.com/-------------------------------------------------------------

Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@jennyponzuric⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠⁠⁠

Join our LinkedIn Group:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:09 Amber Gibson's Background and Achievements

01:39 Personal Insights and Favorite TV Shows

03:00 Journey with the North Carolina School Psych Association

04:00 Key Initiatives as State Association President

05:34 Challenges and Solutions in School Psychology

08:45 AI in School Psychology

13:09 Advice for New School Psychologists

18:16 Leadership and Time Management

25:24 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny Ponzuric, sits down with Elizabeth Sautter, a speech and language pathologist specializing in social communication, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. Elizabeth discusses her journey and passion for neurodiversity-affirming practices, emphasizing the importance of focusing on strengths rather than deficits. She talks about the evolution of her work, including the modification of the 'whole body listening' concept to better accommodate neurodivergent individuals. Elizabeth also highlights her book, 'Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick,' which offers practical strategies for parents to integrate social and emotional learning into everyday activities. The conversation also touches on the critical role of emotional regulation and executive functioning in student success and offers actionable steps for school psychologists to support their students. Additionally, Elizabeth shares the importance of self-care for educators and therapists to prevent burnout.

Resources:

Elizabeth's Website:www.ElizabethSautter.com

Elizabeth's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth.sautter/

Elizabeth's Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethSautterMACCCSLP

Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick -https://amzn.to/4g3W2B9

Prepared School Psych Podcast Episode: Fostering Well-Being in Education: Insights from Dr. Katie Raher https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EdoVkJbMNa8UdSKvcoJYL?si=9uwv7KlUQw6qK6Vo3Ql00Q

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Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@jennyponzuric⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠⁠⁠

Join our LinkedIn Group:⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:10 Elizabeth Sautter's Background and Expertise01:04 Favorite TV Shows Discussion02:10 Roles and Specialties in Speech and Language Pathology04:14 Neurodiversity Affirming Practices05:57 Strength-Based Approaches in Special Education08:18 Whole Body Listening Evolution17:20 Make Social Emotional Learning Stick23:57 Emotional Regulation and Executive Functioning29:34 Advice for New Professionals32:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

In the season opener of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny interviews Ashley Schwenn, a seasoned school neuropsychologist and licensed educational psychologist. Ashley shares her journey in the field and her roles in various school psychology associations across different states, focusing on leadership and advocacy. She discusses her leadership roles in the South Bay Association of School Psychologists, her strategies for professional development, and the importance of local and state-level involvement for systemic change. Ashley also provides practical advice for new school psychologists, emphasizing work-life balance and self-care.Resources:

https://casponline.org/resources-for-school-psychologists/

SBASP Membership Form

Interested in becoming a member or have questions for our executive board?  Please email us at [email protected]!

Instagram for the Affiliate: https://www.instagram.com/_sbasp_⁠

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Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

Instagram: ⁠@jennyponzuric⁠

LinkedIn:  ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠⁠

Join our LinkedIn Group: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:22 Getting to Know Ashley Schwenn

02:25 Role and Impact of the South Bay Association

04:27 Journey to Leadership

13:05 Balancing Work and Volunteerism

14:27 Professional Development and Support

16:34 Advice for New School Psychologists

18:22 Encouragement for Aspiring Leaders

19:19 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

In this special anniversary episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny Ponzuric reflects on her one-year journey with the podcast and shares her personal story and career path as a school psychologist. Jenny discusses her initial discovery of the field, her experiences working in Southern California, and her progression from juggling multiple responsibilities to supervising practicum students, exploring neuropsychology, and ultimately starting her own business. She underscores the importance of finding one's purpose and how she has continuously evolved to support more students. The episode also highlights her work with the Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses model and her shift from a county office position to running her training and support platform for school psychologists.

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Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

Instagram: ⁠@jennyponzuric⁠LinkedIn:  ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠⁠

Join our LinkedIn Group: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠⁠

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Podcast Milestone

00:34 Discovering School Psychology

02:14 Early Career Challenges

03:27 Supervising and Reflecting

05:02 Continued Learning and Growth

06:04 Expanding Impact Through Trainings

10:04 Transition to County Office

15:24 Starting My Own Business

17:05 Current Endeavors and Future Plans

18:53 Conclusion and Gratitude
The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

The Prepared School Psych podcast welcomes back Dr. Amy Merenda, a licensed educational psychologist and expert in educational assessments, to discuss when it is appropriate to evaluate students for special education. The episode explores the framework of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), its implementation challenges, and the importance of collaboration, data usage, and culturally responsive practices. Dr. Merenda also shares insights into managing work-life harmony, leveraging resources like the Libby app for audiobooks, and tips for school psychologists navigating the MTSS framework. Tune in for practical advice and strategies to enhance your effectiveness as a school psychologist.Resources:

The Guide for White Women Who Teach Black Boys:https://amzn.to/40r41U4Pre-Referral Intervention Manual-Fourth Editionhttps://amzn.to/40t4qVV

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Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

Instagram: ⁠@jennyponzuric⁠LinkedIn:  ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠⁠

Join our LinkedIn Group: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Today's Topic

00:20 Meet Dr. Amy Merenda

01:12 Work-Life Harmony Tips

02:46 Libby: The Free Audiobook App

03:38 Challenges in Implementing MTSS0

8:28 Effective Collaboration Strategies

22:07 Screening and Progress Monitoring Tools

27:53 Navigating Progress Monitoring Tools

28:49 Determining the Need for Special Education Assessment

33:36 Handling Parent Requests for Evaluations

39:37 The Evolving Role of School Psychologists

40:42 Effective Interventions and Common Challenges in MTSS

44:48 Ensuring Cultural Responsiveness in MTSS

46:55 Future Trends in MTSS and School Psychology

48:40 Recommended Resources for School Psychologists

52:24 Advice for New School Psychologists

56:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

In this episode of the Prepared School Psych podcast, host welcomes Armando Fernandez, a seasoned school psychologist with over three decades of experience, currently serving as the lead psychologist at Elk Grove Unified School District and president of eGrasp. Armando discusses his career journey, the impact of his leadership on professional development, and the importance of ongoing training through the eGrasp affiliate. He highlights the benefits of networking, leadership opportunities, and the affiliate's role in offering low-cost continuing education units (CEUs) for school psychologists. Armando also shares insights about staying current with trends in the field, organizing workshops, and provides advice to new school psychologists.Resources:

EGRASP Website: https://www.egrasp.org/

EGRASP FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/452473931616673

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Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

• Instagram: ⁠@jennyponzuric⁠
• LinkedIn:  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠

Join our LinkedIn Group: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:02 Armando's Career Journey

00:59 Favorite TV Shows

01:55 Role and Impact of eGrasp

03:43 Professional Development and Workshops

04:26 Balancing Work and Volunteering

10:02 Advice for New School Psychologists

14:08 Leadership in School Psychology

18:01 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

Host Jenny Ponzuric concludes a four-part mini-series on overlapping eligibilities in school psychology. She summarizes the key discussions from previous episodes, including understanding state criteria, recognizing multiple eligibilities, and differentiating between them. Jenny emphasizes the complexity of psychoeducational evaluations and the importance of using multiple data sources. She discusses collaborating with other team members, such as speech-language pathologists, for comprehensive evaluations.

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Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

• Instagram: ⁠@jennyponzuric⁠
• LinkedIn:  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠
• Join our LinkedIn Group: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Series Overview

00:32 Understanding Overlapping Eligibilities

02:20 Complexities in Psychoeducational Evaluations

02:49 Consultation and Collaboration

05:33 Resources and Community Support

06:57 Conclusion and Future Content

The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

Overlapping Eligibilities: Making Primary Eligibility Decisions - Mini Series Part 3

In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny Ponzuric covers part three of the mini-series on overlapping eligibilities, focusing on how to make primary eligibility decisions. Jenny discusses the challenges when a student meets criteria for multiple eligibility areas, such as emotional disability and health impairment, or learning disability and autism. She shares strategies for presenting recommendations at IEP meetings and emphasizes that eligibility does not dictate services—student needs do. Jenny also previews an upcoming two-part live training series in early 2025, which will provide examples and methods for writing up eligibility statements.

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Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

• Instagram: ⁠@jennyponzuric⁠
• LinkedIn:  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠
• Join our LinkedIn Group: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Series Overview

00:32 Understanding Overlapping Eligibilities

01:55 Navigating Eligibility Discussions in IEP Meetings

02:53 Presenting Eligibility Recommendations

04:20 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Training

05:06 Join the Prepared School Site Community

05:38 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

In the second episode of her miniseries on overlapping eligibilities, host Jenny Ponzuric focuses on a critical first step when considering multiple areas of eligibility: understanding the criteria for each classification. Jenny discusses the variability in state-specific eligibility language, the importance of gathering targeted data, and strategies to ensure assessments align with the criteria being considered.

She emphasizes how a solid understanding of the eligibility process allows school psychologists to provide clear and data-driven recommendations, even when criteria for classifications like OHI, ED, or Autism overlap.

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Follow Jenny for updates and resources:

• Instagram: @jennyponzuric
• LinkedIn: Jenny Ponzuric

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Part 2

00:28 Understanding Eligibility Criteria

01:17 State-Specific Language and Challenges

03:00 The Value of Eligibility Checklists

04:20 Aligning Tools with Questions You’re Asking

05:30 Responding to Criteria in the Report

06:15 Next Steps and Upcoming Training

The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

In the first episode of her new miniseries, host Jenny Ponzuric delves into overlapping eligibilities in special education. She explains how different states have varying criteria and classifications, using examples such as autism with emotional disability and health impairment. Jenny emphasizes that eligibility should not drive services, but rather the student’s goals and needs.

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Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more:

Instagram: @jennyponzuric ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jennyponzuric/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Miniseries

00:28 Understanding Overlapping Eligibilities

01:13 Examples of Overlapping Eligibilities

03:17 Eligibility vs. Services

05:14 Training and Community Resources

06:20 Conclusion and Next Steps

The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only, and all participants are required to follow federal and state law and their school district guidelines and policies.