In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny chats with April Rehrig, founder of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting. April shares her journey from being an elementary school teacher and school psychologist to starting her own advocacy practice. They discuss the importance of parent advocacy, the impact of AI on school psychology reports, and actionable steps school psychologists can take to better prepare for their roles. April emphasizes the significance of pre-meeting preparation and the evolving landscape of special education, including improvements in interventions and challenges in IEP processes.

Resources:

April's website: https://www.riseeducationaladvocacy.com/about

April's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/riseedadvocacy/

FREE IEP Resources: https://www.riseeducationaladvocacy.com/resources

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Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

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

Instagram: @jennyponzuric

🔗 jennyponzuric.com

Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:05 April Rehrig's Background and Experience

02:19 Transition from School Psychologist to Teacher

03:42 Starting a Private Practice

05:04 Parent Advocacy and Personal Journey

06:45 Differences Between School Psychologist and Advocate

11:27 Challenges and Trends in Special Education

17:00 AI in School Psychology

22:53 Advice for New School Psychologists and Private Practitioners

26:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Dr. Matthew DuBois, president of the Massachusetts School Psychology Association and senior director of clinical services and SEL program for the Brookline public schools, shares his wealth of experience and insights. Dr. DuBois discusses his career journey, the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL), and his key initiatives to support the whole child in schools. He offers advice for new professionals in the field and highlights the critical role of school psychologists in providing mental health services. Dr. DuBois emphasizes the need for structural support, networking, and continuous learning to impact students' well-being and academic success.

Resources:Massachusetts School Psychologists Association (MASP): https://mspa.wildapricot.org/Imposter Syndrome Episode

Resource: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-prepared-school-psych/episodes/Imposter-Syndrome-The-Uninvited-Guest-in-Every-School-Psychologists-Office-e2k953p/a-abai64v

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Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

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

Instagram: @jennyponzuric

🔗 jennyponzuric.com

Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:48 Favorite TV Shows and Personal Interests

01:49 Professional Background and Experience

03:12 Leadership and State Association Involvement

05:45 Advice for New School Psychologists

08:17 Balancing Roles and Time Management

15:49 The Importance of SEL in Schools

22:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny welcomes Brittany Lewno-Dumdie, a dedicated school psychologist and the 2023-24 president of the Montana Association of School Psychologists (MASP). Brittany shares the journey behind her nickname 'Dr. LD,' her professional background in school psychology, and her work in the MASP. The conversation touches on significant current topics like AI's impact on evaluations, ethical guidelines, and cultural competency in school psychology. Brittany also discusses her initiatives around recruitment and retention, the school psychology interstate compact, and her efforts to elevate MASP's visibility. The episode concludes with practical advice for early career psychologists and insights into the balance between professional responsibilities and personal passions.Resources:Montana Association of School Psychologists: https://masponline.us/

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Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

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

Instagram: @jennyponzuric

🔗 jennyponzuric.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to Today's Guest: Dr. LD

01:39 The Story Behind the Nickname 'Dr. LD'

02:44 Favorite TV Shows and Personal Interests

03:47 Professional Journey and State Association Involvement

06:27 Ethics in School Psychology

11:08 Challenges and Innovations in the Field

24:00 Advice for Early Career School Psychologists

29:02 Balancing Work and Leadership Roles

31:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Dr. Ashley Doss, the Critical Response and Wellness Coordinator for the Anchorage School District in Alaska, shares her extensive experience in crisis response, threat assessments, and leadership in education. She discusses her journey in the field, her role as the president of the Alaska School Psychologists Association, and strategies for managing responsibilities, setting boundaries, and combating imposter syndrome. Dr. Doss emphasizes the importance of organization, time management, and team delegation. Tune in for insights on balancing professional duties and personal well-being while making impactful changes in the educational setting.

Resources:

Alaska School Psychologists Association:http://www.akschoolpsych.org/

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Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

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

Instagram: @jennyponzuric

🔗 jennyponzuric.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:02 Getting to Know Dr. Ashley Doss

02:02 Career Journey and Leadership

04:10 State Association Initiatives

06:26 Advice for New Professionals

07:58 Balancing Crisis Response and Self-Care

11:39 Leadership and Imposter Syndrome

17:25 Time Management and Delegation

19:00 Final Thoughts and Conference Promotion

19:37 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, the host interviews Lina Kitson, a practicing school psychologist in Kansas and a leader in various school psychology organizations. Lina discusses her extensive involvement in the Kansas Association of School Psychologists (CASP), her advocacy work, and her role in the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). She shares insights into her leadership journey, key initiatives during her presidency, and strategies for managing time and professional development. Lina also talks about co-founding 'Copy Paste Report,' an Excel-based program designed to assist school psychologists and related service providers. The conversation explores Lina's passion for strategic planning, professional growth, and the importance of leaning into leadership roles within the field.

Resources:

Kansas Association of School Psychologists: https://kaosp.wildapricot.org/

Lina's Excel based program: https://www.copypastereport.com/

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Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

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

Instagram: @jennyponzuric

🔗 jennyponzuric.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:32 Favorite TV Shows and Personal Interests

03:34 Professional Journey and Leadership Roles

06:02 Key Initiatives and Accomplishments

12:00 Advice for New School Psychologists

15:56 Balancing Leadership and Work

19:44 Copy Paste Report: A Time-Saving Tool

23:31 Final Thoughts and Professional Development

In this episode, host Jenny welcomes Noelle Van-Vlierbergen, a former corporate coach for Apple and Sony and now an author, empowerment coach, and founder of 'Day by Day.' Noelle shares her journey of helping individuals, especially teens, manage change, anxiety, depression, and addiction through specialized journals and wellness planners.

They discuss the history and development of her 'Day by Day' journals, their impact on mental health, and the importance of self-managed wellness. Noelle highlights the values of empathy, courage, authenticity, and community, and provides insights on using her journals as tools for reflection and self-improvement.

This episode is packed with valuable tips for school psychologists, educators, and anyone interested in empowering teens and adults to lead more fulfilling lives.Resources:Website: https://livedaybyday.com/----------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more:Instagram: @jennyponzuric🔗 jennyponzuric.comTimestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Noelle Van01:37 Noelle's Favorite TV Show02:38 Creating the Teen Journal05:32 The Importance of Reflection10:16 Using the Journal in Therapy16:15 Values and Impact20:05 Embracing Change and Wellness21:46 Navigating Wellness Beyond Self-Care Clichés25:39 Challenges of Social Media for Teens27:33 Personal Experiences with Social Media Detox30:52 Resources and Tools for Personal Growth33:04 The Prepared Mindset36:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts#ThePreparedSchoolPsych #SchoolPsychology #StudentSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #EducationPodcast #JennyPonzuricThe 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.

In this episode, Gagan Shergill, a travel school psychologist with SPG Therapy and Education, discusses his journey and passion for integrating technology and AI into school psychology. He serves as the chair of the AI Ethics Ad Hoc Committee of the California Association of School Psychologists. Gagan talks about the benefits and limitations of using AI in practices such as report writing and student interactions while emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and data protection. He offers practical advice for school psychologists interested in exploring AI, advocating for a balanced approach that embraces technological advancements while maintaining ethical standards.

Resources:Some AI Models to explore:

• ChatGPT – the OG: https://chat.openai.com/
• Perplexity – great at searching the web and for looking at academic papers:https://www.perplexity.ai/
• Character.ai – talk to chatbots that are trained to act like characters from TV, movies, etc. https://character.ai/
• HeyGen – generate videos and translate them into multiple different languages -https://app.heygen.com/
• School Psychology specific models:
• Lightner-ai - https://www.lightner-ai.com/
• SchoolPsychAI - https://www.schoolpsych.ai/
• Claude – provides prompts for a wide range of applications, not school psychology specific: https://docs.anthropic.com/claude/prompt-library
• Prompt Playbook – School psychology specific prompts -https://www.schoolpsych.ai/prompt-playbookLearn more about AI
• Google course - Free course from Google -https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/course_templates/536
• Hard Fork Podcast - A fun podcast covering new technology developments -https://www.nytimes.com/column/hard-fork
• The Alignment Problem – a must read for understanding all of the ethical concerns with using AI - https://brianchristian.org/the-alignment-problem/

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Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

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

Instagram: @jennyponzuric

🔗 jennyponzuric.com

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:54 Favorite TV Show Discussion

02:15 Journey into School Psychology and AI0

5:18 AI in School Psychology Practice

10:38 Ethical Considerations and Practical Tips

17:25 Future of AI in School Psychology

29:25 Advice for New School Psychologists

31:43 Conclusion and Resources

#ThePreparedSchoolPsych #SchoolPsychology #StudentSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #EducationPodcast #JennyPonzuric

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.

School Psychologists and Burnout

School psychologists face a high risk of burnout due to workload, lack of control, and value mismatches with their work environment. In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Corcoran advocates for a preventative approach to address burnout by equipping new school psychologists with self-care strategies and knowledge about creating a good fit environment.

Self-Care for School Psychologists

Self-care is not just bubble baths and yoga. It's about identifying and implementing strategies that work for you, such as:

• Getting enough sleep

• Eating healthy foods

• Exercising

• Setting boundaries

• Mindfulness practices like breathwork and body scans

Importance of Work Environment

A good work environment with factors like a manageable workload, autonomy, and values alignment can significantly reduce burnout risk. When entering the field, new psychologists should consider these factors during the interview process using the six areas of mismatch identified by Maslach and Leiter.

Resources

AASP:  https://aaspconnect.wildapricot.org/

Books referenced:

• The Burnout Challenge (Maslach & Leiter, 2024):  https://amzn.to/4bEqlvI

• Maslach Burnout Inventory:  https://www.mindgarden.com/117-maslach-burnout-inventory-mbi

• The Real Self-Care (Lakshmin, 2023):  https://amzn.to/3ykDWtI

Additional Tips

• Develop self-awareness to understand your individual needs and preferences.

• Advocate for yourself and your well-being within your school environment.

• School psychologists leaving a bad fit environment shouldn't be seen as a failure. They should focus on finding a more suitable work setting.

Join us for an insightful conversation that offers practical advice and tools to help you maintain your well-being in your role. Don't miss it!

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Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

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

Instagram: @jennyponzuric

🔗 jennyponzuric.com

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.

School psychologists are the ultimate behind-the-scenes heroes, but even superheroes can feel like frauds sometimes. This episode tackles that nagging voice of imposter syndrome that whispers you don't belong.

We'll explore:

• Understanding Imposter Syndrome: Why that feeling of inadequacy persists despite your accomplishments.
• Taming the Inner Critic: Strategies to acknowledge and quiet self-doubt often felt by school psychologists.
• Building Your Confidence: Tips for recognizing your strengths and expertise specific to the school psychology field.
• Finding Your Support Network: The power of collaboration with colleagues to combat imposter syndrome, a common experience among school psychologists.

Feeling like an imposter doesn't have to hold you back. This episode will equip you with the tools to silence the self-doubt and confidently embrace your role in supporting students and families.

Listen in and discover how to:

• Own your expertise as a school psychologist.
• Develop a plan to combat imposter syndrome specific to your role.
• Leverage your strengths to better serve your students.

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Subscribe now and join our community of dedicated School Psychologists committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering school environments for every child. Let's embark on this journey of professional growth and student-centered advocacy together!

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

Instagram: @jennyponzuric

🔗 jennyponzuric.com

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.

We're thrilled to have Dr. Katie Raher, founder and CEO of Constant Love and Learning, with us today. An award-winning teacher turned school psychologist, Dr. Raher helps educators and change-makers foster well-being and social-emotional learning (SEL). After a health crisis in 2016, she discovered the critical importance of well-being practices for educators and founded Constant Love and Learning in 2019.

Transition to Constant Love and Learning

The journey to creating Constant Love and Learning stemmed from integrating adult SEL more deeply into my work. Initially, the term "self-care" became overused and misconstrued. I emphasize holistic wellness, encompassing awareness, physical health, and spiritual well-being. Schools and organizations must foster environments where everyone feels supported, mirroring the team-based support structure of IEPs.

Constant Love and Learning arose from a need to support educators on a broader scale. Our mission is to nurture healthy, empowered educators who can inspire resilience and potential in every child. We envision a world where educators feel well, connected, and impactful. We offer heart-centered experiences and workshops to support educators in achieving their best selves, one step at a time.

Impact and Strategies for Well-Being

Educators report significant improvements in their classrooms and personal lives through our programs. SEL tools benefit both their students and their own children. Feeling regulated and supported increases job satisfaction and compassion for themselves and their students.

Simple strategies for well-being include having a variety of approaches for different situations. For instance, taking a walk while discussing something with a colleague or interacting with preschoolers for a quick reset. Productivity is about evaluating what truly matters and setting boundaries to create a healthier, more sustainable work environment.

Setting Boundaries and Embracing Growth

Setting boundaries, like requesting breaks and honoring your needs, is crucial. It’s okay not to know everything; maintaining a beginner’s mindset fosters a culture of growth and support. Advocate for what you love in your role and be open to learning. Regulating your nervous system helps handle various challenges, allowing for creative problem-solving.