The School Collective

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

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

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 - @theschoolpsychguy * LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Dr. Andrew Shanock * Email - ashanock@yahoo.com [ashanock@yahoo.com] NASP Bilingual Interest Group Music by: J. Andrew Collins

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 - @theschoolpsychguy * LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Amber Moore * Instagram -@therelateableschoolpsych Music by: J. Andrew Collins

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 - @theschoolpsychguy * LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Martin Silverman * Instagram -@the5silvermans Music by: J. Andrew Collins