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

NASP Bilingual Interest Group

Music by: J. Andrew Collins

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

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