It’s that time again: new year, new buildings, new chaos!

In this season-ready episode, we welcome back school psychologist Huma Imtiaz (@the_school_psychologist) for a crew-style conversation packed with tips, reflections, and real talk to help school psychs hit the ground running.

We cover everything from how to introduce yourself in a new school, building genuine relationships across campus, and managing your caseload without burning out. You’ll hear organizational hacks from the team, boundary-setting strategies, and the kind of advice we wish we had in our first year.

Also inside: bocce ball nicknames, awkward teen memories, and why emotional intelligence matters just as much as technical skill.

Whether you’re a veteran psych or just getting started, this episode is your back-to-school pep talk. Let’s make this year a little more balanced—and a lot more collaborative.

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Huma Imtiaz

• Instagram - @the_school_psychologist

Music by: J. Andrew Collins

In this episode of The School Collective, we welcome back our favorite Texas special education attorney, Elvin Houston (@school.lawyer), for a timely and engaging conversation on recent legislative updates impacting educators and school psychologists. Elvin breaks down major new Texas laws—like House Bill 1481’s student cell phone ban, Senate Bill 2’s education savings accounts, and House Bill 6’s discipline reforms—and explains how these intersect with federal IDEA protections.

Joined by special guests Brooke Roberts and Amy Shatila, we also touch on personal habits, back-to-school transitions, and some hilarious moments with professional headshots (and tacos!). We wrap things up with a rapid-fire Q&A where Elvin shares his favorite dinosaur, dream meal, and more.

Key Takeaways for School Teams:

• What your district must do before fall regarding cell phone bans and IEP accommodations
• Why Senate Bill 2 could trigger a wave of FIE requests—and how to prepare
• How to stay compliant with federal law when navigating new state discipline policies
• Pro tips on writing defensible prior written notices and evaluation denials

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Elvin Houston

• Instagram - @School.Lawyer
• TikTok - @School.Lawyer

Music by: J Andrew Collins

We’re back! In the Season 2 premiere of The School Collective Podcast, hosts Christopher, Brook, and Amy ease back into the mic with a mix of mischief, memories, and meaningful updates. From childhood klepto stories and questionable collections to doctoral stress and dreamy coffee table books, this episode blends laughs with life updates as the team shares what’s been happening behind the scenes.

You’ll also get a peek at what’s to come this season! Deeper conversations, diverse voices, and a continued commitment to building community across education and mental health spaces. Whether you're here for the personality quiz, the Dolly Parton book confession, or just curious about our favorite sandwiches, there's something for everyone.

Leave a review, share with your circle, and reach out if you’d like to be a guest. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Welcome to Season 2.

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Music by: J Andrew Collins

The crew is coming back with a brand-new season of the School Collective! We have an amazing lineup this year of new and returning guests. We cover topics from legislation, back-to-school readiness, parenting, and even sports psychology!

Tune in when the premiere episode drops in a few weeks and make sure to subscribe to our channel!!

Also....Check out the new music!!

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Music by: J Andrew Collins

In the final episode of our special education legal trilogy, The School Collective crew is joined once again by attorney Elvin Houston for an in-depth conversation on Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs). This episode dives into the legal triggers and timelines behind MDRs, the role of evaluation data, and what qualifies as a disciplinary change of placement. The team explores federal and state-level differences, and the importance of voluntary agreements from families when removal is on the table. You’ll also hear candid insights about spring burnout, expedited hearings, and the realities of working with families and advocates.

Whether you’re a school psychologist, administrator, or educator navigating the MDR process, this episode is packed with practical takeaways, legal context, and real-world reflections to keep you grounded and informed.

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Elvin Houston

• Instagram - @School.Lawyer
• TikTok - @School.Lawyer

Music by: J Andrew Collins

In this episode, Brook and Christopher kick things off with some March Madness talk—Brook’s leading the brackets, and Christopher’s tech team takes a hit! Then, they dive into a fascinating conversation with Courtney Johnson, a virtual school psychologist and wellness coach. Courtney shares her journey into school psychology, her transition to virtual practice, and how she structures her work for efficiency and impact.

They explore the benefits of virtual school psychology, from increasing accessibility for parents to reshaping how assessments and consultations are conducted. Courtney also gives insight into her wellness coaching, self-care strategies, and the power of natural peptides in optimizing health.

If you want more information on bioactive peptides, you can direct message Courtney @courtjohnson (Instagram) or email her at coachcourt8@gmail.com. She shares a lot about the science and affiliate opportunities on social media, so be sure to follow her there!

Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving world of virtual school psychology, work-life balance, and innovative wellness solutions.

💡 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave us a review—it helps us grow and reach more listeners!

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Courtney Johnson

• Instagram - @courtjohnson

Music by: J Andrew Collins

In this insightful episode, we sit down with college learning disabilities specialist Elizabeth Hamblet to explore the complexities of transitioning to college for students with disabilities. Elizabeth shares her journey from high school special education to becoming a trusted expert in higher education support, revealing the disconnect between traditional K-12 training and the realities of college accommodations.

We dive deep into key topics, including:

• The role of college disability services and how they differ from high school supports
• Debunking myths around IEPs, 504 plans, and the documentation required for college accommodations
• The challenges and best practices for obtaining and managing accommodations in college
• The importance of teaching independence and self-advocacy, both for students and school psychologists
• Insights from her book, Seven Steps to College: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities, and her efforts to combat misinformation through online communities

schoolcollective.net

Resource mentioned in this episode:

• Can Students Without High School IEPs or 504 Plans Get College Accommodations? post version: https://bit.ly/LDblog102x or video version: https://bit.ly/LDFAQ3
• Questions and Answers on Report Cards and Transcripts For Students with Disabilities Attending Public Elementary and Secondary Schools (OCR): https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-qa-20081017
• College Disability Services Research Form: https://bit.ly/LDORForm
• College Accommodations Request Preparation Form: https://bit.ly/CollAccReqForm
• What To Expect in the Intake Meeting When Students Register for Disability Accommodations at College (video): https://bit.ly/LDAv9
• Course Substitutions at College - Landing page for my blogposts on substitutions: https://bit.ly/LDBCSS

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Elizabeth Hamblet

• Instagram - ld_advisory
• Facebook - Elizabeth C. Hamblet, LD Advisory (https://www.facebook.com/LDadvisory/)
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-c-hamblet
• Threads – ld_advisory
• Bluesky - @echamblet.bsky.social

Music by: J Andrew Collins

In this special episode of The School Collective Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Michael Gomez, a nationally recognized trauma expert and co-founder of the NCTSN Trauma and IDD Workgroup. Dr. Gomez shares his journey into clinical child psychology, shedding light on trauma as a toxin and how schools can better support students dealing with its effects.

We dive into critical topics such as trauma screening, the impact of racial socialization, the challenges of differentiating between autism and trauma, and the often-overlooked fawn response. Dr. Gomez also discusses secondary trauma and burnout among educators, offering practical strategies for resilience. Plus, we wrap up with some fun rapid-fire questions, including his surprising dislike of guacamole!

schoolcollective.net

Things to look into:

www.tfcbt.org

www.nctsn.org

https://learn.nctsn.org/course/index.php?categoryid=78

https://www.drishametzger.com

https://traumaavengers.com

https://awfulagent.com/jabclients/kenneth-rogers/

Social Handles:

Christopher Ponce

• Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy
• LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce

Music by: J Andrew Collins