Tomorrow's School Psych

Jenny Ponzuric

Hosted by Jenny Ponzuric - school psychologist turned neuropsychologist, former administrator, professor, and lifelong learner - this podcast explores what’s next in the world of school psychology and special education. Each episode gives you clarity, strategies, and resources to make your work feel a little easier while strengthening how you support students and families. Expect practical tools, career insights, and honest conversations about the evolving role of school psychologists. From student advocacy and leadership skills to navigating self-talk and professional growth, this is a space for lifelong learners who care deeply about making a difference. Whether you’re a school psych, an educator, or part of the special education community, join Jenny to learn, grow, and keep moving the profession forward - Because Tomorrow Starts Today.

  1. 3d ago

    Fluid Reasoning and Academics: Explaining Evaluation Results at IEP Meetings

    Should you already know how fluid reasoning impacts academics? A school psychologist recently asked me this during a training, and my answer might surprise you. We're talking about that gap between understanding cognitive and processing scores and actually explaining what they mean for a student sitting in a classroom. Because let's be real, parents and teachers want to know what those numbers mean on Monday morning. I'm sharing a simple four-step approach to making evaluation results more meaningful at IEP meetings, using real classroom examples and practical strategies. And if this is something you weren't taught in graduate school, you're definitely not alone. There's always more to learn in school psychology, and small steps count. Highlights: (01:30) - Should school psychs already know this stuff? Let's talk about it (02:45) - Fluid reasoning explained without the testing jargon (03:45) - When the score finally makes sense to the parent and teacher (05:08) - Four simple steps to make your evaluation results actually useful (06:15) - Why "you should already know this" isn't the answer (08:15) - Books, AI, and colleagues: Where to turn when you're still learning Catch the replays for all of the processing areas inside the Prepared School Psych community: https://jennyponzuric.com/prepared-school-psychologist/ 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: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE This podcast was lovingly produced by the humans at WAVEMAKERS AUDIO

  2. Oct 26

    Evaluating Multilingual Learners: Why Observing the ELD Program Matters

    How well do you actually know the ELD program on your campus? When we’re evaluating multilingual learners, we’re trying to answer a complicated question: are the difficulties we’re seeing related to learning a new language, a disability, or something else? Without understanding the instruction a student has actually received, we could be missing an important part of the picture. In this episode, I’m talking about knowing your school’s language program, observing ELD instruction in action, talking with the people providing those services, and comparing progress thoughtfully. Because before we interpret the scores, we need to understand the student’s instructional history and the support happening around them. Highlights: (01:30) - Over-identification or under-identification? Why multilingual learner evaluations can get complicated (03:19) - Before you interpret those scores, do you know the student’s actual instructional history? (05:03) - If language is part of the question, why aren’t we observing during language instruction? (06:20) - Everyone was thriving with the strategy except ONE student, and that told me something (08:05) - Numbers matter, but the language service provider can fill in a much bigger picture (10:10) - This week’s challenge: pick one campus and actually learn how its ELD program works Need some support working with multilingual learners? Check out the Prepared School Psych community: https://jennyponzuric.com/prepared-school-psychologist/ 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: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE This podcast was lovingly produced by the humans at WAVEMAKERS AUDIO

  3. Oct 19

    Where Do Test Scores Go in a Psych Report? Throughout or in an Appendix?

    Where do your score tables live? Throughout your psychoeducational report, right alongside your explanations, or tucked neatly into an appendix at the end? I’ve tried both over the years, and while I keep coming back to putting scores throughout my reports, a recent conversation made me stop and reconsider why. In this episode, I’m looking beyond personal preference and asking a much more important question: Who are we actually writing these reports for? We’ll talk about score tables, confusing appendices, parent-friendly language, and why maybe it’s time for us school psychs to do what we’re always asking everyone else to do: get some actual data before deciding what works best. Highlights: (01:30) - Score tables throughout or tucked in the back? Let the school psych debate begin (03:40) - I asked other evaluators what they do, and yep, we definitely have opinions (04:59) - Plot twist: Who are we actually writing these reports for? (06:05) - When the appendix is so confusing that even the school psych is confused (07:22) - Parent-friendly report... or does someone need AI to figure out what we wrote? (08:30) - We love data, so why are we guessing what families actually prefer? Need some report writing or explaining results help? Check out the Prepared School Psych community: https://jennyponzuric.com/prepared-school-psychologist/ 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: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE This podcast was lovingly produced by the humans at WAVEMAKERS AUDIO

  4. Oct 12

    We Never Look at SLD in Kindergarten… But Can We?

    There are a few phrases that make me cringe as a school psychologist, and “we never” is right up there. We never test kindergarteners. We don’t look at SLD this young. We can’t find them eligible. But is that actually what the law says, or have we turned common practice into a rule that doesn’t really exist? In this episode, I’m looking at SLD eligibility for younger students and why the language we use matters. We’ll talk curriculum, reading instruction, exclusionary factors, and how to build clear, defensible evidence for the “why” behind our decisions, while still taking early concerns seriously. Highlights: (01:30) - “We never” and “we don’t ever”, two phrases that should make us pause (03:20) - The better question to ask when considering SLD in younger students (05:08) - Can we identify a reading disability before reading instruction has really begun? (06:40) - Why timing matters when we’re looking at kindergarten reading skills (07:30) - “We don’t do that here” is not evidence, and it probably won’t hold up (09:00) - Early intervention still matters, even when eligibility isn’t the answer today The Prepared School Psych Community - For 50% off the first month, use code PSP50 at checkout for the month-to-month option: www.jennyponzuric.com 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: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE This podcast was lovingly produced by the humans at WAVEMAKERS AUDIO

  5. Oct 5

    How to Lead High-Stakes Conversations with Tracie Hewitt, LEP

    Have you ever left a meeting where everyone talked, nobody really listened, and somehow nothing got resolved? I’m joined by licensed educational psychologist and coach Tracie Hewitt to explore why what looks like a communication problem may actually be a connection problem. Tracie shares her Three Pillars framework for moving difficult conversations away from power struggles and toward genuine influence. We talk about self-regulation, committed communication, transparency, and why leadership doesn’t mean having all the answers. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop trying to solve the problem and start getting curious about it. Highlights: (02:02) - Why disconnection is turning conversations into power struggles (05:16) - Self-regulation and the space between a trigger and your response (10:34) - Why understanding matters more than being right (13:39) - What it really means to become a committed listener (16:00) - How transparency builds trust instead of simple compliance (21:02) - What happened when a leader stopped directing and started listening https://www.advantagelep.com/ 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: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE This podcast was lovingly produced by the humans at WAVEMAKERS AUDIO

  6. Sep 28

    What is the Prepared School Psych Community?

    In this episode, I’m sharing why I created The Prepared School Psych Community and why having a place to ask questions can make such a difference. I was lucky to begin my career surrounded by experienced school psychologists who shared resources, talked through cases and made it normal to ask for help. Not everyone gets that kind of support. So I’m walking through the office hours, content specialists, community forum, private questions, resources and mini courses available inside the community, all designed to help school psychologists feel more prepared and less alone in the work. Highlights: (01:35) - Why asking lots of questions is a normal part of being a school psychologist (02:10) - The reason I created The Prepared School Psych Community (02:49) - Three different ways members can get their questions answered (03:41) - Why having multiple content specialists matters in such a broad field (04:24) - The resources, checklists and mini courses available to members (05:01) - What “prepared” really means when so much of the job is outside your control The Prepared School Psych Community - For 50% off the first month, use code PSP50 at checkout for the month-to-month option: www.jennyponzuric.com 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: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE This podcast was lovingly produced by the humans at WAVEMAKERS AUDIO

  7. Sep 21

    Days 1–5: The Evaluation Window That Saves You From Report-Writing Scramble

    In this episode, I’m talking about what you really want in front of you when it’s finally time to write that evaluation report. Scores, protocols, and input forms matter, but they’re only part of the picture. The real work is understanding what the data actually means for this student, in this school, in this life. We’ll look at attendance, behavior, anxiety, and educational impact, and why context can completely change the story behind a number. I’m also sharing why thoughtful data collection needs to start early, so future you isn’t scrambling the night before the meeting. Highlights: (01:42) - Reporting a number versus actually analyzing what it means (02:25) - Why attendance data without context only tells part of the story (03:12) - What discipline records may be missing about student behavior (04:08) - Why anxiety scores don’t automatically explain educational impact (05:15) - The questions to ask during days 1 through 5 of an evaluation (07:05) - How a few extra minutes of data collection can save future you from scrambling Want to talk more about days 1-5? Join the Prepared School Psych community today and let’s get your questions answered: https://jennyponzuric.com/prepared-school-psychologist/ 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: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE This podcast was lovingly produced by the humans at WAVEMAKERS AUDIO

  8. Sep 14

    Should I Have This Many Questions?

    In this episode, I’m answering a question that came up during a professional development session: should I really have this many questions? My answer is yes. School psychology is a huge field, and there is simply too much to know for any one person to have every answer ready at all times. I’m talking about why curiosity is part of the job, not a sign that you are behind. From eligibility criteria and legal questions to behavior, mental health and crisis response, we are constantly learning. Asking questions, finding the right people and knowing where to look are all part of becoming a stronger advocate for students and families. Highlights: (01:30) - No, you are not supposed to know everything about every disability area (02:20) - The part where school psych somehow also requires a minor in special education law (03:15) - Why different school psychs build different strengths depending on the jobs they are actually doing (04:58) - Professional development exists because the learning never actually stops (05:40) - Staying curious is not a weakness. It is literally part of the job. (06:45) - Raise your hand anyway. That question might help a student later. Have a question? Join the Prepared School Psych community today and let’s get your questions answered: https://jennyponzuric.com/prepared-school-psychologist/ 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: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE This podcast was lovingly produced by the humans at WAVEMAKERS AUDIO

See All (67)

Trailer

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Hosted by Jenny Ponzuric - school psychologist turned neuropsychologist, former administrator, professor, and lifelong learner - this podcast explores what’s next in the world of school psychology and special education. Each episode gives you clarity, strategies, and resources to make your work feel a little easier while strengthening how you support students and families. Expect practical tools, career insights, and honest conversations about the evolving role of school psychologists. From student advocacy and leadership skills to navigating self-talk and professional growth, this is a space for lifelong learners who care deeply about making a difference. Whether you’re a school psych, an educator, or part of the special education community, join Jenny to learn, grow, and keep moving the profession forward - Because Tomorrow Starts Today.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenny Ponzuric
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jenny Ponzuric
  • Show Website
    Tomorrow's School Psych

You Might Also Like