The School Collective

Christopher Ponce, Amy Shatila, Brook Roberts

5.0 (6)
Education
Updated Monthly

The School Collective Podcast aims to entertain, inform, and support educators and parents worldwide. Come for the information, stay for the humor and personalities! Website: schoolcollective.net Music by: J Andrew Collins Chris: @theschoolpsychguy

Feb 19

Podcast Crossover: The School Collective x Boston School Psychs

What happens when two school psychology podcasts sit down together? A conversation packed with leadership insight, podcast behind-the-scenes moments, and honest reflections on the people shaping our field. In this crossover episode, The School Collective Podcast teams up with the Boston School Psychs Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about advocacy, collaboration, and what they’ve learned from giving school psychologists a platform to share their work. Together, the group talks about using podcasts to translate research into practice, highlight unsung heroes, and build stronger professional communities across districts and states. The discussion explores innovative leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ways school psychologists are creating space for connection and growth. The hosts also share memorable NASP conference stories, influential mentors who shaped their careers, and how conversations with guests have changed their own practice. Of course, no crossover episode is complete without some off-the-clock energy. The conversation wraps with fun rapid-fire questions, future collaboration ideas, and plans to connect in person at upcoming conferences. This episode is a celebration of community in school psychology—what happens when practitioners connect, share ideas, and amplify each other’s work beyond their own districts and roles. Socials: Chris: Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Boston School Psychs Podcast: Instagram/Facebook/TikTok/YouTube/Bluesky: @bostonschoolpsychs Music by: J. Andrew Collins

54 min
Feb 16

School Psych, Creator, Parent: A Conversation with Tiffany Lee

Dr. Christopher Ponce sits down with school psychologist, content creator, and parent Tiffany Lee (@schoolpsychtiffany) for a candid conversation about building a career in school psychology while also building a life outside of it. Tiffany shares her path into the field, from studying psychology and business to discovering school psychology through work with students with disabilities and realizing she wanted to make a measurable impact. They dig into the realities of the job right now — long evaluation timelines, differences across states, imposter syndrome in early career years, and the importance of strong relationships with colleagues. Tiffany reflects on creating school psychology content online for nearly a decade, starting in grad school and eventually becoming a resource for students and practitioners across the country. The conversation also explores how becoming parents has shaped their professional perspectives, from increased empathy with families to sharper time management and boundaries. They talk NASP conference strategy, networking without burning out, and how social media has helped school psychologists feel less isolated in their roles. The episode wraps with a rapid-fire round of fun questions so listeners can get to know Tiffany beyond the profession, because the field is serious work, but the people in it don’t have to be. A real conversation about the profession, the people in it, and how school psychologists are carving out space for authenticity, creativity, and community. Socials: Chris: Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Tiffany: YouTube - Tiffany Lee Instagram - @schoolpsychtiffany TikTok - @schoolpsychtiffany Music by: J. Andrew Collins

55 min
Feb 4

Beyond Bilingual: Building Community for Multilingual Learners

In this special group episode, we sit down with Carmen Cisneros and Dr. Andrew Shanock for an open, reflective conversation about the growing need for community, training, and shared responsibility in supporting multilingual learners. Together, the group unpacks the purpose behind the NASP Bilingual Interest Group (BIG) and the Multilingual Interest Group (MIG), two spaces dedicated to supporting school psychologists serving bilingual and multilingual students. Listeners will hear about the innovative monthly MIG gatherings, ongoing book studies on bilingual literacy, the growing resource library housed within NASP, and why this work must belong to all school psychologists—not just those who identify as bilingual. The conversation also explores how separating bilingual and monolingual professional learning can unintentionally marginalize practitioners and limit growth across the field. This episode is both a call to action and an invitation: to learn, to engage, and to build a stronger, more connected professional community in service of multilingual students and families. Social Handles: Christopher Ponce Instagram - @theschoolpsychguyLinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Dr. Andrew Shanock Email - ashanock@yahoo.com NASP Bilingual Interest Group Music by: J. Andrew Collins

58 min
Jan 14

Real School Psych Talk with Amber Moore

In this episode of The School Collective Podcast, we welcome Amber Moore as a new co-host and dive into a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what it really means to show up for students and families in school psychology. Amber shares her journey from aspiring teacher to school psychologist, reflecting on how practicum experiences, family-centered work, and real-world constraints shaped her professional identity. Together, we explore the importance of building trust with families—especially when working in homes, early childhood settings, and high-need communities—and why using clear, human-centered language matters more than perfect scores or polished reports. The conversation also touches on power dynamics between schools and families, balancing professional expertise with lived experience, managing heavy caseloads, and navigating inequities across school settings. We also unpack authenticity in professional spaces, including social media, and why being transparent, reflective, and values-driven can help reduce burnout and strengthen connections within the field. This episode blends practical insight, personal reflection, and lighthearted moments—offering an affirming listen for early career school psychologists, seasoned practitioners, and anyone committed to doing this work with intention and heart. Social Handles: Christopher Ponce Instagram - @theschoolpsychguyLinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Amber Moore Instagram -@therelateableschoolpsych Music by: J. Andrew Collins

1h 6m
12/17/2025

Small Kids, Big Potential: A Conversation with Martin Silverman

In this episode of The School Collective, we sit down with retired principal and author Martin Silverman to explore why the earliest years of education can shape a child’s entire academic future. We discuss building a strong school culture, supporting teachers before burnout occurs, and shifting from a deficit mindset to a strengths-based view of young learners, especially in Pre-K and kindergarten. Martin shares lessons from his decades of leadership experience, including what school leaders can do right now to build trust, empower teachers, and foster environments where children thrive through curiosity and connection. We even wrap up with a festive holiday roundtable featuring very important topics such as when to hang Christmas lights and the ethics of regifting. Social Handles: Christopher Ponce Instagram - @theschoolpsychguyLinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Martin Silverman Instagram -@the5silvermans Music by: J. Andrew Collins

1h 8m
11/12/2025

Equity and Intelligence: A Conversation with Dr. Kelly & Dr. Naglieri

In this powerhouse episode, Christopher sits down with two icons in school psychology—Dr. John Kelly, former NASP President and lifelong advocate for equitable practice, and Dr. Jack Naglieri, renowned cognitive assessment researcher and co-developer of the KABC and CAS. Together, they take listeners on a journey through the history and evolution of intelligence testing, unpacking how assessment practices have both shaped and been shaped by systemic inequities. From the origins of cognitive theory to the modern-day implications of PASS theory and test fairness, Jack and John bring decades of insight and candor to the conversation. They also share reflections on their own careers—balancing science, advocacy, and humanity—and offer advice for early-career practitioners seeking to expand their roles beyond testing. Expect wisdom, humor, and a few sailing and guitar stories along the way. Topics include: The difference between test bias and test fairnessWhy subtest interpretation may be scientifically unsoundHow systemic inequities impact identification of gifted and diverse learnersThe role of school psychologists as advocates for equity and comprehensive services

48 min
11/05/2025

Behind the Curtain: How NASP Leads, Advocates, and Evolves with Dr. Eric Rossen

In this episode, Christopher, Amy, and Brooke sit down with Dr. Eric Rossen, Executive Director of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), for an inside look at how the largest school psychology organization in the world operates. Dr. Rossen breaks down NASP’s structure, decision-making, and advocacy strategy—offering candid insight into how policies are shaped, how the organization decides when to speak out, and what “DRIP” (Discipline, Restraint, Intentionality, Prioritization) means for meaningful advocacy. From balancing science and leadership to a sneak peek into NASP’s new youth mental health documentary featuring Andy Garcia, this conversation sheds light on what it really takes to lead a national professional association. The episode closes on a lighter note, with favorite road trips, celebrity crushes, and a hilarious debate about why umbrellas are overrated. Social Handles: Christopher Ponce Instagram - @theschoolpsychguyLinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Music by: J. Andrew Collins

56 min
10/29/2025

From Brooklyn to Texas: Taisha Torres on Advocacy, Adaptation, and Authenticity

In this episode, Christopher sits down with Taisha Torres, a bilingual school psychologist whose journey from New York City to Texas reveals the beauty and complexity of serving diverse communities. Taisha shares how a college course unexpectedly led her into school psychology, the mentorship that shaped her path, and the lessons learned from working in culturally rich and high-need settings. Together, they explore the nuances of bilingual advocacy, the balance between structure and flexibility in parent-teacher meetings, and the differences between school systems across regions. Taisha also opens up about her experiences as a mom, her authentic approach to parenting content, and her upcoming bilingual children’s book featuring a neurodivergent student named Matteo. This conversation blends professional insight with real-life reflection—reminding us that behind every data point and IEP meeting, there’s a story rooted in culture, care, and community. Social Handles: Christopher Ponce Instagram - @theschoolpsychguyLinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Taisha Torres Instagram -@taisharisingTikTok - @taisharising Music by: J. Andrew Collins

56 min

5

out of 5

6 Ratings

Great 10/10

08/15/2024

SchoolPsychL

Great episode! I got chills from Amy when she talked about work life balance and then hearing Brook talk about starting a new career and how that's challenging, I felt that! Being a new school psych the episode made me feel reassured in new beginnings!

The School Collective Podcast aims to entertain, inform, and support educators and parents worldwide. Come for the information, stay for the humor and personalities! Website: schoolcollective.net Music by: J Andrew Collins Chris: @theschoolpsychguy

Creator

Christopher Ponce, Amy Shatila, Brook Roberts
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

41
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

The School Collective