The School Collective

The School Collective

by Christopher Ponce, Amy Shatila, Brook Roberts

Comedy Interviews Education

Season 1

Special Guest Elvin Houston Talks Special Education Law, Discipline, and Advocacy

In this episode, we welcome special guest Elvin Houston (@school.lawyer), an attorney and partner at Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson to discuss the intersection of law and education. Elvin shares his journey into special education law, his unique presentation style, and his favorite topics to teach. Join us as we dive into key issues impacting schools today, including: How to improve efficiency and accuracy in the reevaluation process. The legal and ethical implications of teacher strikes on IEP services. The role of special education directors in student placements. Addressing discipline challenges with equity and thoughtfulness. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or advocate, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration for better supporting students with special needs. Social Handles: Christopher Ponce Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Elvin Houston Instagram - @School.Lawyer TikTok - @School.Lawyer Music by: J Andrew Collins

A conversation with the Crew

In this week's episode..... The crew decided to sit down and have a conversation with no limitations or boundaries. We just let the recording go and saw what happened! We touch on a bunch of different things: The current school year Life challenges Current Political Climate How it is affecting education Families Listen to the end where we get misty-eyed and talk about our favorite things about our children! Socials: Christopher Instagram/Bluesky - @theschoolpsychguy

Disrupting Superhero Syndrome & Advancing Equity

In this episode, Amy and Camika Lewis chat it up about disrupting the status quo, building equity in education, and shifting our mindset from superhero syndrome to being good enough. As a TASP presidential nominee, Camika also dives into her journey in school psychology and what she plans to do if she is elected president of TASP. Listen in, and remember to VOTE in TASP elections before November 22!

Bridging Gaps: Supporting Latino Families with School Psychologist Christian Herrera

On this special episode, the crew discussed their personal experiences and the challenges faced by Latino families in accessing mental health services and navigating school systems with special guest Christian Herrera~ We emphasized the importance of understanding and appreciating the culture, traditions, and language of these families to facilitate conversations about mental health and disability. Christian also touched on the need for more awareness and guidance about school psychology, particularly for high school students, and the importance of building trust and rapport with Latino families. Website: schoolcollective.net Social Handles: Christopher Ponce Instagram - @theschoolpsychguy LinkedIn - Christopher Ponce Christian Herrera Instagram - @christian.herrera.lssp Music by: J Andrew Collins

Student Engagement with Francis Chen

On today's episode, we invite special guest Francis Chen to talk about utilizing the community to help our students. Francis has been able to help facilitate many aspects of the community into his student's lives. We discuss the role of school psychologists on campus and how we can expand the idea of what we can do to help our students. Website: schoolcollective.net Follow us on our socials! Chris - @theschoolpsychguy Music by: J Andrew Collins

Building a Positive School Culture: Lessons from School Psychs and a Principal

In this episode, we explore the key ingredients to creating an uplifting and positive school culture with insights from school psychologists and our special guest, former principal Martin Silverman. We discuss the role of leadership, the importance of mental health support, and the power of collaboration between educators and mental health professionals. Martin shares his experiences fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment for students, staff, and families. You can tune in to learn practical strategies for transforming your school into a space where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. Website: schoolcollective.net Follow us on our socials! Chris - @theschoolpsychguy Martin Silverman - @the5silvermans Music by: J Andrew Collins

Breaking the Silence: From Toxic Workplaces to Thriving Schools

In this episode, we dive deep into the impact of toxic work environments on professionals in education. Join Chris, Brook, Amy, and special guest Melissa Mathews as we discuss the signs of workplace toxicity, the emotional toll it takes, and the burnout that often follows. Our guests share their personal stories and practical strategies for cultivating healthier, supportive, and more productive work environments. Whether you're navigating a difficult workplace or looking to foster a culture of growth and collaboration, this episode offers insights and solutions to help you and your team thrive. Website: schoolcollective.net Follow us on Social Media! Chris: @theschoolpsychguy Resources: The Art of Coaching by Elena Aguilar NASP Professional Growth Plan Education Austin Union Group "If you want to walk fast, walk alone, If you want to walk far, walk together." -African Proverb

Life Harmony with Chris, Amy, and Brook

In this episode, Chris, Amy, and Brook dive deep into the elusive goal of achieving life harmony. From managing heavy caseloads and emotional demands to setting boundaries and finding time for self-care, our hosts open up about the real struggles they face in maintaining balance in both their personal and professional lives. Join us as we explore strategies for avoiding burnout, tips for staying grounded, and how we can all strive for better work/life harmony in the fast-paced world of education. Whether you’re a school psychologist, educator, or anyone working in a high-stress field, this episode is packed with actionable advice and relatable stories to help you find peace in the chaos.

Existing Patient with Jenn Covington and Aaron Abolt

On today's episode, we interview actor and school psychologist extraordinaire Jenn Convington and director Aaron Abolt as they talk about their newest short film Existing Patient. This short film has been accepted to 2 disability film festivals and won an award at the Cinema Touching Disabilities Film Festival. Come listen to us break down the film and talk about its very deep themes. Screenings will be at the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival at the Long Center in Austin on September 28th, and also at the Superfest Film Festival, where it will screen virtually October 17-20 and at the Exploratorium in San Francisco on Saturday, October 19. "A chronically ill woman fights to get approved, encountering endless phone trees, unhelpful representatives, and stock photo families along her journey through healthcare bureaucracy" Website: schoolcollective.net Follow us on our socials! Chris: @theschoolpsychguy Jenn Covington: @jcofabulous Aaron Abolt: @aaronabolt

New Beginnings

Wow! The school year is upon us! Join Chris, Brook, and Amy on the inaugural episode of the School Collective Podcast! We dive into what we hope will come from this episode and how we prepare for the new school year. We hope you enjoy this episode. Remember to follow and subscribe to our podcast and share it with everyone you know!! Website: schoolcollective.net Follow us on our socials! Chris - @theschoolpsychguy Music by: J Andrew Collins

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