Not Your Average School Psychologist Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Family Partnerships with Dr. Garbacz Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, we talked with Dr. Andy Garbacz about family school partnerships. He talked about his research on how school psychologists can conceptualize family engagement in a multi-tiered systems of support framework. He also identified common barriers to forming these family-school partnerships, and how schools can reflect on their own practices in engaging families. As the new editor of the Journal of School Psychology, Dr. Garbacz also shared his vision for the journal and for the field.

For more information, visit us at www.centerforeffectiveschools.org.

The Magic of Effective and Consistent Implementation of PBIS with Dr. Fogt Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, we talked with Dr. Julie Fogt about the implementation of positive behavior supports to address the needs of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Dr. Fogt highlighted strategies that bring the magic of simplicity to addressing even the most challenging of behaviors. Listen in for 3 key tips for consulting with a new teacher to set them up for success!

Dr. Fogt is the director of the Centennial School at Lehigh University. Check out information about the Centennial School here.

For more information, visit us at www.centerforeffectiveschools.org.

The Evolution of MTSS: Back to the Future with Dr. Kovaleski Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, we talked with Dr. Joe Kovaleski, whose expertise and advocacy helped to pave the way for our current multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) frameworks in schools. Dr. Kovaleski shares how our field has evolved, and he provides suggestions for how we can move forward to more effectively meet the needs of students by addressing instructional targets more directly. Listen in for his insightful tips on how to self-monitor your progress as a school psychologist!

For more information, visit us at www.centerforeffectiveschools.org.

The Science of Reading with Dr. Luisa Moats Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Devereux Center for Effective Schools’ podcast, Not Your Average School Psychologist, Dr. Luisa Moats shares about her connection to school psychology and highlights what school psychologists should know about reading assessment and effective reading instruction. Dr. Moats addresses the importance of all educators understanding the foundations of language-based learning.

Dr. Moats shared many helpful resources in this podcast. Check them out here:

The Reading League

International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

Decoding Dyslexia (Parent Movements)

Learning Disabilities: From Identification to Intervention (2nd ed.) (Fletcher, Lyons, Fuchs, and Barnes, 2018)

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers (3rd ed.) (Moats, 2020)

For more information, visit us at www.centerforeffectiveschools.org.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Schools with Dr. Zaheer Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

In our first Season 5 episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, Dr. Imad Zaheer shares about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how it can be applied in school settings within a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework. Dr. Zaheer addressed how school psychologists can integrate ACT into Tier 1 practices. He also offered a great ACT strategy for how to change a “but” to an “and!”

Dr. Zaheer is an Assistant Professor of School Psychology at St. John's University and is a co-founder of the Nurturing Environments Institute.

For more information, visit us at www.centerforeffectiveschools.org.

Advocating for Students with Tourette Syndrome with Dr. Hermetet Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

In today's Season 4 finale of Not Your Average Schools Psychologist, Dr. Katrina Hermetet shares information about Tourette Syndrome, including prevalence, comorbidity, and treatment. She offers practical recommendations for addressing the needs of students with Tourette Syndrome in the classroom and through the assessment process. Dr. Hermetet also describes how she advocates for students and gives them a voice.

Dr. Hermetet discusses the following resources for information about Tourette Syndrome and how you can advocate for students:

Tourette Association of America: https://tourette.org/

Tourette Association of America Resources: https://tourette.org/resources/overview/

Strategies for Advocacy: https://tourette.org/public-policy/take-action/

Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) Overview: https://tourette.org/research-medical/cbit-overview/

Dr. Hermetet shares a story about Obed West, the 2025 award recipient for a Yes I Can Award for Self-Advocacy. For more information about Obed West and his story, see the Council for Exceptional Children press release: https://exceptionalchildren.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/Obed%20West%20-%20Self-Advocacy.pdf

Behavior Analysis and School Psychology with Kevin Van Laeken Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, Kevin Van Laeken shares about his experiences as a school psychologist and a behavior analyst. He discusses his goal for making challenging concepts understandable and his experiences running his own BCBA test prep company. Mr. Van Laeken also shares recommendations for BCBAs, school psychologists, and professionals working in both fields.

Check out Mr. Van Laeken's company, Behavior Analyst Supervisor: https://behavioranalystsupervisor.com/

Artificial Intelligence and School Psychology with Dr. McClure Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, Dr. Byron McClure shares his strengths-based approach to school psychology. He talks about how the power of "why" can help probe for greater understanding and initiate change processes for the benefit of students. Dr. McClure also shares his journey that led to his development of the School Psych AI platform. He explains how school psychologists can leverage this tool to expand their role so they may address larger systemic needs in schools and school psychologist retention.

Visit Dr. McClure's website for information about his book and his most recent work here: https://www.byronmcclure.com/

Check out School Psych AI here: https://www.schoolpsych.ai/

Dr. McClure talks about ethical guidance for School Psych AI. See this document for more details: https://www.schoolpsych.ai/_files/ugd/cbd354_0ff04eb2133b49bda73dbd2205fe242a.pdf

Supporting Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with Dr. DuPaul Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, Dr. George DuPaul discusses ADHD assessment and intervention across the lifespan, as well as how to connect different systems of care in pediatric school psychology. Dr. DuPaul also addresses the future of ADHD research and how to leverage technology for information gathering.

Dr. DuPaul mentioned the following free resources for ADHD:

- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD): https://chadd.org/

- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

For more information about the CES, visit us at www.centerforeffectiveschools.org.

Reducing Barriers to Systems-Level Implementation with Dr. Eklund Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, Dr. Katie Eklund shares about her work with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), specifically her contributions to Tier 2 interventions. Dr. Eklund also discussed how she is working to address mental health shortages in schools and bridge the research-to-practice gap.

For more information on Dr. Eklund's work to recruit, train, and retain mental health professionals in schools, please visit https://www.metricscenter.org/.

For more information about CES, visit us at www.centerforeffectiveschools.org.