In this episode, I talk with Iuri Melo, licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of School Pulse, a service reaching more than 100,000 students across the U.S. with evidence-based mental health support.

We explore how a simple text twice a week can spark real conversations, build resilience, and help schools stay proactive instead of waiting for crisis moments. Irui shares the story behind School Pulse, why prevention is so hard to measure, and how kindness plus data can be a powerful force for change.

This conversation will leave you rethinking how we connect with and protect our students.

Highlights:

01:30 – How a community tragedy sparked something new

07:45 – From one text a week to real conversations with students

15:10 – What schools really need (and don’t have) right now

23:50 – The tough student who wouldn’t quit… and why that mattered

31:20 – Measuring impact when prevention feels invisible

38:00 – What’s next for School Pulse and student wellness

Connect with Iuri

Website: https://schoolpulse.org/

Email: iuri@schoolpulse.org

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.

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In this episode, I explore the language we use with ourselves, our colleagues, and our students - especially those sneaky negation statements.

Words like can’t, don’t, won’t, and shouldn’t seem harmless, but they often keep us stuck by focusing attention on exactly what we don’t want.

I share examples of how these statements show up in our daily lives, why they reinforce frustration and helplessness, and how simple reframes into affirmations can shift the entire conversation.

By focusing on what we do want, we open the door to problem-solving, goal setting, and positive change.

Here are the highlights:

How common phrases keep us stuck in frustration (01:12)

A real-life example packed with negation keywords (02:30)

Reframing negations into affirmations (03:40)

A practical challenge to raise your awareness (04:45)

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.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Wendy Taylor, the host of The Special Ed Strategist podcast and founder of Learning Essentials.

Wendy has such a wealth of experience as an educational therapist, IEP coach, and advocate for families.

We talk about what it really takes to build strong support systems between schools and parents, how to make interventions meaningful, and why keeping communication at the centre of everything can change outcomes for students.

Highlights:

(02:02) Wendy's journey into special education

(06:21) Wendy’s son's cancer survival

(10:11) Parents feeling overwhelmed at the IEP table

(15:17) Building strong communication between families and schools

(20:13) Practical strategies for supporting reading and writing

Find out more about Wendy:

University of Kansas Writing Strategies

The Special Education Strategist Podcast

Learning Essentials

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:

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In this episode, I sit down with Bonnie Contreras, Senior Director of Clinical Solutions at Presence, to talk about the future of remote service delivery in school psychology.

Bonnie’s unique journey as a military spouse and school psychologist across multiple states led her to teletherapy, where she’s passionate about increasing access for students and supporting districts through innovative solutions.

We discuss the benefits and challenges of teletherapy, building trust in virtual environments, and how practitioners can embrace technology without losing the human connection.

Bonnie shares why teletherapy is not just possible but powerful, and how schools can use it to bridge practitioner shortages, extend student support, and strengthen collaboration.

If you’ve ever wondered whether remote services can truly meet student needs, you’ll find this conversation both eye-opening and encouraging.

Here are the highlights:

Bonnie’s journey from military spouse to leader in remote school psychology (01:33)

Why remote services matter now more than ever (03:46)

Overcoming misconceptions about teletherapy (09:22)

Building trust and partnerships in a virtual world (14:07)

The future of tele-assessment and innovative tools (19:39)

Bonnie’s advice for new school psychologists (25:38)

Connect with Bonnie:

Website: https://presence.com/services/

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:

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Imposter syndrome shows up for so many of us, but what if it is not really about being a fraud at all?

In this episode, I share a simple reframe that can shift the way you think about those moments of self-doubt. Instead of imposter syndrome, what if we called it beginner syndrome?

By changing the words we use, we can normalize uncertainty, reduce stress, and remind ourselves that it is natural to feel unsure when stepping into something new.

I also talk about when beginner syndrome is most likely to show up, how it has resurfaced for me at different stages of my career, and the small but powerful strategies you can use to calm your nervous system and quiet the negative self-talk.

Whether you are starting a new job, moving into a new role, or just feeling stretched, this episode is here to remind you that being a beginner is not a weakness, it is simply part of growth.

Here are the highlights:

Why reframing your words changes your mindset (02:05)

When beginner syndrome tends to resurface (04:10)

Strategies to calm your nervous system (07:20)

Supporting colleagues who feel like beginners (09:15)

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:

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Emotional intelligence isn’t just for students - it’s a game-changer for school psychologists, too.

In this episode, I sit down with Serena Renee, a former school psych turned leadership and trauma coach, to talk about how understanding our emotions can transform how we lead, advocate, and collaborate.

From setting boundaries without guilt to shifting negative self-talk into curiosity, Serena shares practical strategies for building stronger relationships with colleagues, parents, and students.

Whether you’re brand new to the field or leading a team, you’ll walk away with tools to manage stress, build confidence, and create a healthier, more sustainable way to work.

Here are the highlights:

Emotional intelligence in practice (01:33)

The link between people-pleasing and burnout (04:16)

Shifting from judgment to curiosity (07:40)

Boundaries and self-care for first-year psychs (10:58)

Building trust and collaboration on teams (14:06)

Showing up as human first, psych second (18:39)

Connect with Serena:

The Prepared School Psych series, Wait, am I in Charge?:

https://jennyponzuric.com/prepared-school-psychologist/

Serena's coaching website: https://www.forwardthinking.coach/

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:

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amy Merenda, a licensed educational psychologist, to talk about what it really means to “lead” when you’re not technically the boss.

We share practical strategies for building trust, improving communication, and growing as a leader in your school - even without formal authority.

Amy opens up about her early experiences, lessons she wishes she’d known, and how self-reflection and boundaries can change everything.

Whether you’re brand new to the field or a seasoned school psych ready for a reset, this conversation is packed with insights you can start using right away.

Here are the highlights:

That “Wait, am I in charge?” moment (01:33)

Why leadership is more influence than authority (06:35)

Setting boundaries without burning out (11:38)

The surprising power of self-reflection (17:49)

Using your strengths to tackle growth areas (26:47)

Advice for first-year school psychs (34:20)

The Prepared School Psych series, Wait, am I in Charge?: 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:

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Change in schools can feel painfully slow, but what if the key to progress is patience and influence?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amit Bosmia, a nationally certified school psychologist and respected leader in mental health and special education.

We talk about the power of relationships, what true advocacy looks like, and how even small shifts can spark real transformation for students and staff.

Amit shares his journey, his research on strengthening teacher-student relationships, and how school psychologists can expand their roles beyond testing to become trusted partners in creating better systems for kids.

This conversation is practical, inspiring, and a reminder that lasting change starts with connection.

Here are the highlights:

The “Swiss Army Knife” of school psychology (03:19)

Why relationships matter more than titles (05:22)

Building influence without burning out (07:59)

Research that shows simple strategies make big impacts (08:59)

Why patience is the secret weapon for new school psychs (27:23)

Establish Maintain and Restore: https://characterstrong.com/blog/emr-3-relationship-strategies-for-effective-learning

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:

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