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In this episode, Dr. Paulie Gavoni sits down with veteran superintendent Dr. Don Haddad of St. Vrain Valley School District to explore one of the most hotly debated educational shifts in recent years—the 4-day school week. With over 17 years of experience leading one of Colorado’s largest districts, Dr. Haddad brings deep insight into the logistical, academic, and behavioral implications of this bold move.

What started as a spirited back-and-forth on social media turns into a candid, thought-provoking dialogue between two leaders in education. They unpack the reasons behind the shift, the data being considered, and what’s at stake for students, families, and staff. Can cutting a day really lead to better outcomes—or are we just masking deeper systemic issues?

This conversation challenges assumptions and offers multiple perspectives rooted in both leadership and behavioral science.

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In this episode, Dr. Paulie sits down with Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, to tackle one of the most urgent issues in education today: the staffing and workforce crisis. With over 20 years of experience spanning product development, policy reform, and leadership across major organizations like NBC Universal and McGraw-Hill, Nicola brings a powerful, pragmatic perspective to the table.

They dig into the root causes of high turnover in education, explore data-driven strategies for creating sustainable workforce pipelines, and discuss how schools can shift from reactive hiring to proactive talent cultivation. Nicola shares hard truths, real solutions, and a compelling vision for how schools can survive—and thrive—by rethinking how we recruit, train, and retain great educators.

🔥 Whether you're a district leader, teacher, or policymaker, this episode offers actionable insights grounded in experience and behavioral science.

👉 Don’t just talk about the crisis—tune in and learn how to fix it.

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In this episode of The Crisis in Education Podcast, Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni sits down with Missouri middle school teacher and author Philip Wire to unpack a provocative and timely topic: Are schools getting trauma-informed education right—or missing the mark entirely?

Inspired by Philip’s bold book, "Trauma-Informed Tragedy: How Schools Got Trauma Part Right and Part Wrong," this conversation dives deep into the well-intentioned yet sometimes misguided practices that have emerged in the name of supporting students with trauma.

Dr. Paulie and Phil explore:

✅ What schools are doing well in addressing trauma
✅ Where the system is falling short—and even causing harm
✅ Why good intentions aren't enough without behaviorally sound strategies
✅ How educators can actually empower students without overaccommodating dysfunction

This is not your average trauma talk. It’s a raw, respectful, and practical conversation between two professionals committed to helping—not harming—students through real, actionable solutions.

🎧 Tune in now to hear what it really means to be trauma-informed—and how to do it better.

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In this powerful episode of the Crisis in Education Podcast, Dr. Paulie welcomes Emil Majetich, a doctoral candidate in early childhood special education, licensed behavior analyst, university instructor, and 25-year fire service veteran. Emil shares his remarkable journey from fire lieutenant and paramedic to behavior analyst, emphasizing the transferable skills and values that fuel his passion for helping others. With firsthand experience supporting families of children with autism in education, especially military families navigating the challenges of virtual service delivery, Emil brings a unique blend of grit, compassion, and behavioral science to the table.

Listeners will hear about Emil’s work mentoring the next generation of practitioners, his involvement with organizations like Surfers Healing, and how his experiences in high-stakes, real-life crises inform his perspective on meaningful family and educator support. This episode underscores the importance of authenticity in service delivery and highlights practical ways educators and behavior analysts can collaborate to create lasting impact—not just in theory, but in action.

Military & DoD Families with Autistic Children: Take part in a free virtual ABA family coaching study designed specifically for you. Receive personalized support from a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst and learn practical, evidence-based strategies you can use at home—no travel required. The program is flexible, confidential, and built with military life in mind. Support your child’s development while helping shape better services for other military families.

Please use this link https://bit.ly/4hzDjxA or contact Emil Majetich Jr. at emajetic@gmu.edu

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Join Dr. Paulie as he explores value-based care in education with Leila Farshchian MA, BCBA, leader of ABA Toolbox—an award-winning platform advancing science-driven, learner-centered interventions for individuals with autism and disabilities. The conversation explores how integrating behavior analytic principles with compassion and creativity can significantly enhance outcomes for students with special needs. Listen in as Layla shares her inspiring journey into behavior analysis, the critical role of values in education, and practical strategies to empower educators, students, and families alike.

Key Takeaways:

• How CABAS merges science & teaching for individualized success
• The role of tech-driven solutions in special education & ABA Toolbox
• The power of collaboration in transforming therapy & learning

This engaging conversation is packed with practical insights for providers dedicated to collaboration, brining the learner to the center for enhanced treatment outcomes in education.

To learn more about Leila and her mission, please visit us at: www.abatoolbox.com

Leila Farshchian, MA, BCBA. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-farshchian-33974335

Contact: Leila@abatoolbox.com

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In this episode of Crisis in Education, Dr. Paulie sits down with educator and leader Jamia Green to discuss the challenges and opportunities in supporting deaf students. With experience as a teacher of the deaf, a STEM technology educator, a principal, and now a state-level leader in Hawaii, Jamia brings a wealth of knowledge on how to create inclusive and effective learning environments.

They dive into why deaf students are often overlooked in discussions about special education, the importance of understanding deafness as an "invisible disability," and how behavior science can be leveraged to enhance learning, communication, and engagement for deaf students. Tune in for an insightful conversation on advocacy, accessibility, and the power of culturally responsive education.

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In this episode of the Crisis in Education Podcast, host Dr. Paulie welcomes his good friend and former colleague, Pierre Louis. As a long-time leader and one of the founders of Ovation Behavior Group, Pierre brings deep insights into the intersection of behavior science, leadership, and education.

Dr. Paulie and Pierre discuss:
✅ How behavior science drives effective leadership in education
✅ Challenges and successes in implementing behavior-based strategies
✅ The power of mentorship and leadership in fostering meaningful change

This engaging conversation is packed with practical takeaways for educators, behavior analysts, and leaders committed to improving systems through evidence-based practices. Don't miss it! ​

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Episode Description:
In this episode of The Crisis in Education Podcast, Dr. Paulie sits down with behavior analyst and education expert Steve Ward to discuss practical strategies for supporting teachers and students—especially those with special needs—while highlighting lessons that apply to all classrooms.

They dive into the critical role of assent and assent withdrawal, exploring how these concepts can be observed, measured, and taught to both teachers and parents. Steve emphasizes the importance of respecting a learner's right to say "no" and, more importantly, how to reintroduce expectations in ways that build trust, confidence, and engagement.

The conversation also challenges traditional approaches to learning by making a compelling case for expanding fun—particularly social fun—as a primary goal. By prioritizing enjoyment and meaningful interactions, educators can create positive ripple effects that go far beyond preparing students to complete tasks.

Tune in to learn actionable strategies, from fluency-building formats to incorporating games and routines, that help turn novelty and unpredictability into opportunities for growth. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or school leader, this episode offers insights you can apply right away to make learning more effective and enjoyable for all students.

More on Steve
Website
Facebook

Articles
https://www.archivesofpsychology.org/index.php/aop/article/view/82
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5352626/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03393050

Webinars
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cabs-autism-and-behavior-specialists-34162179949

Podcasts

Trauma Informed Care: Some ThingsYou Should Know

Punishment on Trial in Behavior Analysis

Assent and Compliance: When to Use Which

How to Help Individuals with Anxiety: Session 187 with Steve Ward

The Case for Humor in Behavioral Interventions: Session 111 with Steve Ward

Book links
Teaching Good Learner Repertoires
What You Need to Know about Motivation and Teaching Games: An in