Tomorrow's School Psych

If you’ve ever said, “I just need the right planner,” this episode is for you. 

Time management isn’t always about color-coded calendars or fancy systems - sometimes it’s really about attention, impulsivity, or working memory. 

I break down how executive functioning impacts your ability to manage time and why improving your focus or task initiation might be the real solution.

I also share practical strategies educators and school psychologists can use right away, from using the Pomodoro Technique to setting better boundaries and digital reminders that actually stick. 

Let’s find the root of your “time management” struggle and build strategies that fit how your brain really works.

Highlights:

(02:10) – The truth about executive functioning and attention

(04:00) – Impulsivity: saying yes before thinking it through

(05:05) – Task initiation and how to beat procrastination

(06:00) – Working memory and the power of reminders

(07:00) – Matching the right strategy to the right problem

To access the 3 Tips for Time Management, click HERE:  https://jennyponzuric.ac-page.com/3-tips-for-time-management

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

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Preschool evaluations are a whole different world, and in this episode, I chat with Erin MacIntyre about what makes assessing three and four-year-olds so unique. 

We talk about how play-based assessments can reveal just as much as standardised tests, how to work effectively with families who are part of the process, and what makes a great multidisciplinary team tick. 

Erin also shares the three key areas she focuses on when evaluating cognition in preschoolers, along with her top advice for new school psychs stepping into early childhood.

It’s full of practical insight, gentle reminders, and a real appreciation for the power of teamwork in early education.

Here are the highlights:

Why preschool assessments are never a one-person job (01:40)

The art of working with families during evaluations (04:20)

Play-based tools that tell you more than test scores (06:30)

How to assess cognition through play and observation (09:20)

The three cognitive areas every preschool psych should look for (14:00)

Why team communication makes or breaks your process (17:40)

Simple ways to strengthen your multidisciplinary team (21:00)

Resources every new preschool psych should know about (22:40)

Prepared School Psych community sign up: https://jennyponzuric.com/prepared-school-psychologist/

Ordinal Scales Training:  https://www.dcs-cde.ca.gov/prf/signup.aspx

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

Connect with Jenny:

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Data can tell a story, but only if we know how to read it. 

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Curt Merlau, Vice President of Resultant’s Education Practice, to talk about how schools can move from simply admiring data to actually acting on it. 

Curt shares how his team uses technology and human-centered design to make data meaningful, improve mental-health supports, and give educators the tools they need to make smarter, faster decisions. 

We dig into AI, early intervention, and why no dashboard or algorithm can replace an educator’s intuition - or their heart.

Here are the highlights:

Making data accessible and useful for teachers (03:23)

Why dashboards alone don’t solve the problem (05:00)

Data that supports, not replaces, educators (08:17)

Early intervention and preparing students for success (10:00)

Connecting families to real-time childcare data (12:28)

Using tech to strengthen mental health supports (14:35)

AI’s role in efficiency, not replacement (17:19)

Why educators’ skills are more valuable than ever (19:37)

Connect with Curt:

Website:  https://resultant.com/

Blog Posts:  https://resultant.com/blog/

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

Connect with Jenny:

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In this episode, I’m talking about something that quietly shapes how we communicate and lead - the words we choose. 

We explore the concept of soft talk - phrases like “maybe,” “I’ll try,” or “hopefully” - and how they create uncertainty in our goals and interactions. I break down why we use soft talk, how it impacts clarity and accountability, and what happens when we start replacing it with solid talk instead.

This short episode will help you recognize when language is helping you think versus holding you back. You’ll walk away with practical tools to shift your communication, boost your confidence, and model clear, grounded leadership - for yourself, your team, and your students.

Here are the highlights:

How “maybe” keeps us in the grey zone (01:30)

Moving from soft talk to solid talk (03:00)

Examples that shift uncertainty into confidence (03:45)

When soft talk is appropriate (04:30)

Your one-week language challenge (05:10)

The takeaway: words shape our leadership (05:50)

Resource for this episode HERE

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

Connect with Jenny:

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In this episode, I chat with executive functioning coach and veteran educator Carrie Bonnett who shares her journey from classroom teaching to helping students and adults strengthen essential life skills. 

Carrie’s warmth and honesty shine through as she explains what executive functioning really is, why it matters, and how we can all support students (and ourselves) in developing focus, organization, and emotional regulation without shame or judgment.

We explore the small shifts that make a big difference - from visible instructions and timers to building accountability and curiosity in classrooms and homes. 

Whether you’re a teacher, school psychologist, or parent, you’ll walk away with simple, actionable tools and a deeper understanding of how these skills can be taught, practiced, and celebrated.

Here are the highlights:

How a friend’s suggestion sparked a new career path (01:32)

What an executive functioning coach actually does (03:22)

The “aha” moment about willpower versus skill (07:03)

Covid’s lasting impact on student focus and independence (10:01)

Making the invisible visible - a teacher’s best tool (15:43)

Timers aren’t just for toddlers (20:00)

Tech that helps (and sometimes hinders) executive skills (21:54)

What teachers and families both need to know (28:39)

Apps Discussed: Goblin.tools; to-do; to-doist; Forest: Stay Focused; Habitica: Gamify Your Life; Calm; Headspace

EF Coaching Programs:

Peg Dawson:  https://www.smartbutscatteredkids.com/events/invite-us/

Executive Functioning Success:  https://executivefunctioningsuccess.com/education-and-training-for-teachers-and-professionals/

Books Shared: 

Bright Kids Who Couldn't Care Less

Finding the Magic in Middle School

The Anxious Generation

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

Connect with Jenny:

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In this episode, I talk with Iuri Melo, licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of School Pulse, a service reaching more than 100,000 students across the U.S. with evidence-based mental health support.

We explore how a simple text twice a week can spark real conversations, build resilience, and help schools stay proactive instead of waiting for crisis moments. Irui shares the story behind School Pulse, why prevention is so hard to measure, and how kindness plus data can be a powerful force for change. 

This conversation will leave you rethinking how we connect with and protect our students.

Highlights:

01:30 – How a community tragedy sparked something new

07:45 – From one text a week to real conversations with students

15:10 – What schools really need (and don’t have) right now

23:50 – The tough student who wouldn’t quit… and why that mattered

31:20 – Measuring impact when prevention feels invisible

38:00 – What’s next for School Pulse and student wellness

Connect with Iuri

Website:  https://schoolpulse.org/

Email:  [email protected]

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

Connect with Jenny:

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In this episode, I explore the language we use with ourselves, our colleagues, and our students - especially those sneaky negation statements. 

Words like can’t, don’t, won’t, and shouldn’t seem harmless, but they often keep us stuck by focusing attention on exactly what we don’t want.

I share examples of how these statements show up in our daily lives, why they reinforce frustration and helplessness, and how simple reframes into affirmations can shift the entire conversation. 

By focusing on what we do want, we open the door to problem-solving, goal setting, and positive change.

Here are the highlights:

How common phrases keep us stuck in frustration (01:12)

A real-life example packed with negation keywords (02:30)

Reframing negations into affirmations (03:40)

A practical challenge to raise your awareness (04:45)

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

Connect with Jenny:

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In this episode, I’m joined by Wendy Taylor, the host of The Special Ed Strategist podcast and founder of Learning Essentials. 

Wendy has such a wealth of experience as an educational therapist, IEP coach, and advocate for families. 

We talk about what it really takes to build strong support systems between schools and parents, how to make interventions meaningful, and why keeping communication at the centre of everything can change outcomes for students.

Highlights:

(02:02) Wendy's journey into special education

(06:21) Wendy’s son's cancer survival

(10:11) Parents feeling overwhelmed at the IEP table

(15:17) Building strong communication between families and schools

(20:13) Practical strategies for supporting reading and writing

Find out more about Wendy:

University of Kansas Writing Strategies

The Special Education Strategist Podcast

Learning Essentials

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

Connect with Jenny:

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In this episode, I sit down with Bonnie Contreras, Senior Director of Clinical Solutions at Presence, to talk about the future of remote service delivery in school psychology. 

Bonnie’s unique journey as a military spouse and school psychologist across multiple states led her to teletherapy, where she’s passionate about increasing access for students and supporting districts through innovative solutions. 

We discuss the benefits and challenges of teletherapy, building trust in virtual environments, and how practitioners can embrace technology without losing the human connection.

Bonnie shares why teletherapy is not just possible but powerful, and how schools can use it to bridge practitioner shortages, extend student support, and strengthen collaboration. 

If you’ve ever wondered whether remote services can truly meet student needs, you’ll find this conversation both eye-opening and encouraging.

Here are the highlights:

Bonnie’s journey from military spouse to leader in remote school psychology (01:33)

Why remote services matter now more than ever (03:46)

Overcoming misconceptions about teletherapy (09:22)

Building trust and partnerships in a virtual world (14:07)

The future of tele-assessment and innovative tools (19:39)

Bonnie’s advice for new school psychologists (25:38)

Connect with Bonnie:

Website:  https://presence.com/services/

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

Connect with Jenny:

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Imposter syndrome shows up for so many of us, but what if it is not really about being a fraud at all? 

In this episode, I share a simple reframe that can shift the way you think about those moments of self-doubt. Instead of imposter syndrome, what if we called it beginner syndrome? 

By changing the words we use, we can normalize uncertainty, reduce stress, and remind ourselves that it is natural to feel unsure when stepping into something new.

I also talk about when beginner syndrome is most likely to show up, how it has resurfaced for me at different stages of my career, and the small but powerful strategies you can use to calm your nervous system and quiet the negative self-talk. 

Whether you are starting a new job, moving into a new role, or just feeling stretched, this episode is here to remind you that being a beginner is not a weakness, it is simply part of growth.

Here are the highlights:

Why reframing your words changes your mindset (02:05)

When beginner syndrome tends to resurface (04:10)

Strategies to calm your nervous system (07:20)

Supporting colleagues who feel like beginners (09:15)

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

Connect with Jenny:

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WEBSITE