Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers

Season 1 Episode 14: From Grad Student to BCBA: Applying Behavioral Science to People, Systems, Change, and Leadership

What happens when behavioral science moves beyond client programming and becomes a leadership framework?
In this episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Victoria “Tori” Perko, BCBA, Director of Behavior Services and BCBA Coordinator of ABA Clinics, to explore how applied behavior analysis shapes leadership across people, systems, and organizational change.
Tori shares her journey from graduate student to leading multi-site preschool ABA clinics, including opening three clinics in one year, and how her path was shaped by a path shaped by mentorship, family, and unexpected moments of purpose.
They discuss:
How leaders can adjust environments to help people bloom
The role of humility, growth mindset, and compassion in team development
Balancing authority with approachability and compassion with accountability
Avoiding learned helplessness in teams
Why practicality is the most underrated leadership skill
Using the “five whys” for systems-level problem solving
How to develop future leaders by supporting their values, barriers, and strengths
Why behavior analysts belong in every industry, not just education or mental health
This episode is rich with reflection, vulnerability, and actionable insights for clinicians, rising leaders, seasoned supervisors, and anyone committed to creating meaningful, sustainable change.
Listen in and reflect: What environment are you shaping today?
Tori’s Bio:
Victoria Perko is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with experience leading ABA-based programs across clinic, school, home, and community settings. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in accountability, empathy, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on creating inclusive, learner-centered environments where evidence-based practice and human-centered care coexist. Through strategic supervision, professional development, and systems-level problem solving, Victoria promotes high standards of clinical excellence while supporting access to effective behavioral services.
In her roles as Director of Behavior Services and BCBA Coordinator of ABA Clinics, Victoria has provided clinical and operational oversight for multi-site programs, supervising BCBAs, behavior specialists, and direct care staff. She has led initiatives to strengthen assessment practices, ensure fidelity to evidence-based interventions, and maintain compliance with state regulations, insurance requirements, and IBHS standards. Her work emphasizes clear systems, data-informed decision-making, and staff development to promote consistent, ethical service delivery across settings. Victoria is deeply committed to collaborative leadership, working closely with families, educators, medical providers, and community partners to develop individualized, functional programming that supports meaningful outcomes and long-term skill generalization.

Season 1 Episode 13: Leadership in Early Childhood Systems: From Early Intervention to Safety, Service, and Advocacy

In this heart-centered conversation, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Kathleen (Kathy) Mignone, a Local Education Agency Representative with more than 20 years of experience in early childhood special education. Together, they explore what leadership looks like when it’s grounded in compassion, curiosity, and a deep belief in human potential. 
Kathy shares her evolution from autistic support teacher to systems-level service coordinator, reflecting on the lessons she learned from children, families, and colleagues along the way. She offers insight into behavior science as a tool for shaping adult behavior, the emotional intelligence needed to manage complex team dynamics, and the importance of slowing down in a field that pushes us to rush. 
This episode explores: • Why leadership is rooted in daily actions, not titles • How early teaching experiences shape coaching and adult learning • The rise of staff turnover and how leaders stay grounded in the “cracks” • Safety, dignity, and regulation as foundations for early childhood environments • How to balance compliance with human-centered decision-making • What it takes to empower families as true partners • The power of listening with curiosity 
If you’re an educator, leader, caregiver, or anyone working within early childhood systems, this episode will leave you encouraged, affirmed, and reminded of the humanity at the center of our work. 
Kathy’s Bio: 
I graduated from West Chester University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education (birth to 21 years of age). I hold Pennsylvania Teaching Certifications in Special Education (2003) and Elementary Education with a focus on literacy (2013). Additionally, I completed a Master’s degree in Special Education in 2013.  
I have worked professionally in the field of education at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) since November 2004. During my nearly 15 years in autistic support classrooms, I focused on programming for preschoolers with autism. I was trained in and participated in PATTAN’s VB Project, implementing programming using the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment Placement Program (VB-MAPP), and attained model status within the project. My time in these classrooms included both full-day (November 2004 – December 2015) and half-day (July 2016 – August 2019) roles.  
In September 2019, I transitioned into my current position as a Service Coordinator, also known as the Local Education Agency (LEA) Representative for Early Intervention at the DCIU. My focus in this role is two-fold: supporting families and supporting staff. For families, I guide them in understanding their child’s strengths, needs, and special education program, and fully connect them to necessary resources. For DCIU staff, I coordinate services throughout the year, review obligations and systems, and promote best practices for data-driven decisions and effective communication across staff and families.  
Realizing the overall need for safety supports, I became a trainer for our Positive Behavior Supports Program, Safety Cares. My intention is to work with staff, families, and preschools to ensure safe and research-based de-escalation practices are consistently used for preschoolers.  
As a leader in special education, particularly in early childhood, I believe in sharing knowledge with kindness and compassion. My practice is deeply influenced by the many mentors and colleagues who have shaped my approach, beginning with my own parents and teachers. Leading with intentionality and a "person first" approach across students, families, and staff drives me to do the best we can every day. 

Season 1 Episode 12: Leading with Creativity: Inspiring Behavioral Change in Education

What does leadership look like when creativity, culture, and behavior science meet in the classroom?
In this inspiring conversation, Grenadian educator Alina Roberts shares how a lineage of teachers shaped her calling, how she intentionally models leadership for her students, and how cultural values, from friendliness to community accountability, strengthen school culture and student behavior.
Alina talks about using creativity as a powerful behavioral tool: music, poetry, role‑play, hands‑on learning, and culturally relevant engagement that keeps students motivated and connected. She also opens up about what it means to build trust, promote belonging, engage families, and stay grounded as an educator navigating real‑world challenges.
We explore:
The impact of early influences and family legacy
Behavior science in action through classroom motivation
The role of culture and community in shaping respectful behavior
Creativity as a leadership strategy
Building belonging and confidence for all students
Well‑roundedness as a core educational goal
Resilience, spirituality, and hope for the future
This episode is a celebration of Grenadian leadership, culturally responsive teaching, and the belief that every child has greatness within them.
Alina’s Bio:
Simple, spiritual and talented are just a few words which best describes me – Alina Roberts. Born and bred in the coastal village of Marquis, St. Andrew, Grenada, I attended the humble St. Giles Anglican School then later the prestigious all-girls school, St. Joseph’s Convent, Grenville. My educational journey continued at the TA Marryshow Community College and later the St. George’s University achieving a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
My first job was in the field of Environmental Health. Later, I transitioned to the role of primary school educator at my alma mater, St. Giles for over seventeen (17) years. My teaching philosophy is “Creating a safe, fun filled learning environment for all students.” 
I am also active in the Sunday Ministry at my local church and a dynamic member of the Grenada Girl Guides Association. I enjoy poetry and creative arts. My hobbies include cake decorating, journaling, and outdoor activities such as hiking. My Philosophy in life is “Aim for the top because the bottom is already overcrowded.”

Season 1 Episode 11: From Chalkboards to Change Makers: Lessons in Leadership from 40+ Years in Education with Lois Bubb

What does leadership look like in a classroom, and how do everyday teaching behaviors shape lives far beyond school walls?
In this heartwarming and deeply personal episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with her sister, Ms. Lois Bubb, a beloved educator whose 40+ years of teaching and mentoring have shaped thousands of lives across Grenada.
Ms. Bubb shares stories from her journey into teaching, the values that anchored her through challenges, and the moments that reminded her why education is a calling, not just a job. From cultivating positive classroom cultures and supporting struggling learners to balancing discipline with compassion and honoring cultural identity, this conversation highlights how leadership shows up in daily actions.
Together, they explore how classrooms become leadership labs, how compassion and consistency transform student behavior, and how cultural identity influences how we teach, learn, and lead.
Listeners will hear stories of:
A quiet student whose simple act of gratitude changed the course of Lois’s career
How modeling respect and setting clear expectations became pillars of her classroom
Why embracing mistakes, persistence, and small wins builds confident learners
How restorative practices and family engagement lead to healthier school communities
The leadership values that sustained her through challenging seasons: integrity, resilience, empathy, service, and consistency
Whether you’re an educator, a leader, a parent, or someone who believes in the power of human connection, this episode, rooted in humanity, equity, and care, will touch your heart and strengthen your practice.
Ms. Bubb’s Bio:
Ms. Lois Bubb spent over forty years in the classroom, touching the lives of countless students with her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering dedication. Since beginning her teaching journey in 1983, she has been more than an educator; she has been a mentor, a guide, and a source of inspiration. Her instruction spanned multiple disciplines, with specialization in Mathematics. Generations of students remember her not only for the lessons she taught in Mathematics, but also for the encouragement she gave when they doubted themselves, and the joy she brought to learning.
Her classroom was always a place of warmth, where curiosity was celebrated and every student felt seen and valued. Ms. Bubb’s ability to make each child believe in their true potential, and her passion for ensuring that no child was left behind,  has left a lasting impact, with many of her former students crediting her influence for their success in life. Colleagues admire her generosity of spirit and her willingness to share her experience, while members of the wider community cherish her as a role model who gave her heart to education.
Even after four decades, Ms. Bubb’s passion for teaching never dimmed. Her legacy is not measured only in years, but in the thousands of lives she has shaped with her compassion, patience, and love for teaching and learning. She will always be remembered as a teacher who gave her very best, and whose impact will continue to flow through the generations she inspired.

Season 1 Bonus Episode 1: Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership Lessons from the First Ten Episodes

In this special bonus reflection episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb takes listeners behind the mic for an honest, reflective, and deeply personal look at what she has learned across the first ten episodes of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers.
From pressing record despite fear, to forgetting to press save and turning a “leadermon” into “leadermonade," this episode explores what it truly means to lead behaviorally.
Dr. Bubb reflects on:
Why leadership is behavior, not a title
The power of listening as a leadership intervention
Creating opportunity through expanded choice
Compassionate, performance-based feedback
Behavioral momentum and persistence
Progress over perfection
Perseverance, courage, and starting before you're ready
If you’ve ever delayed starting something because it wasn’t “perfect,” this episode is your reminder:
Start, even if imperfectly, but start!
Reinforcement will follow.
🎧 Listen now and share with someone building something meaningful.

Season 1 Episode 10: Leadership as Behavior: Listening, Choice, and Compassionate Feedback with Dr. Jim Connell

What does leadership look like when it’s grounded in behavior, not position?
In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Dr. Jim Connell, Associate Professor at Drexel University and founding director of multiple graduate training programs, and a nationally recognized leader in school psychology, applied behavior analysis, and systems‑level change, to explore leadership through a behavioral science lens.
Dr. Connell shares his powerful and remarkable journey, from entering college later in life after serving in the military, to confronting personal challenges, to sobriety, and to building impactful academic and clinical programs, which led to his rediscovery of purpose through behavioral science.
Dr. Connell also unpacks how listening, opportunity, choice, guardrails, and performance feedback shape effective leadership.
Together, Dr. Bubb and Dr. Connell explore:
Leadership as a set of observable behaviors
How perseverance and compassion shape leadership
The power of listening and setting “behavioral guardrails”
Using data‑based decision‑making to strengthen teams and systems
How performance feedback is a robust leadership tool that becomes a transformative leadership strategy
Creating opportunities, reinforcing growth, and building momentum to shape outcomes
Navigating resistance to change with empathy and curiosity
Supporting others without judgment as paths evolve
Why inclusive leadership matters — especially for neurodivergent colleagues
This warm, conversational, and inspiring episode highlights what leadership truly looks like when rooted in behavioral science and human connection. It’s a must-listen for educators, behavior analysts, administrators, and anyone committed to developing people and systems with intention.
 
Dr. Connell’s Bio:
 
Dr Connell is an Associate Professor in the Drexel University School of Education. In 2012, Dr. Connell departed the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine to become the founding Clinical Core Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. There he designed the Institute clinic, hired Core area faculty and staff, and developed and supported contracts and funded research for the next 8 years. At the time of his Drexel appointment, Dr Connell also founded the Drexel ABA master’s program which continues to this day. Dr Connell became full time faculty in the Drexel School of Education 5 years ago, to be the founding director of the School Psychology graduate training program, which is now in its fifth year. Dr. Connell has published in consultation, intervention, and assessment, which demonstrates his professional interest in school psychology. His current interest includes the manipulation of the population through social media, and the behavioral mechanisms than set the occasion for radicalized behavior, and the making of a “school shooter” through the work of his doctoral student.

The Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers Podcast Trailer

Welcome to Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Changemakers, the podcast where leadership meets behavior science, and where educators, clinicians, and everyday humans come to grow.
Hosted by Dr. Esther C. Bubb, special educator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, administrator, mentor, and lifelong believer in bringing out the best in people, this show is rooted in over two decades of experience across early childhood programs, schools, behavioral health, higher education, and systems-level leadership.
Across her journey, Dr. Bubb discovered one powerful truth:Leadership isn’t a title. It’s a behavior: teachable, learnable, and measurable.And when we apply the science of behavior to how we lead? Transformative things happen. Teams become more resilient, children thrive, confidence grows, and work becomes more meaningful and aligned.
This podcast is your weekly invitation to reflect, reset, and rise. You’ll get practical strategies, leadership frameworks, behavior-analytic tools, inspiring stories, personal-growth practices, and real conversations about leading with clarity, purpose, and heart.
Whether you’re a teacher, BCBA, parent, supervisor, administrator, therapist, counselor, or simply a human striving to show up better in the world, you’re right where you belong.
So take a deep breath. Grab your notebook. And join Dr. Bubb on a leadership journey grounded in science, strengthened by compassion, and designed for changemakers.
Subscribe now and tune in each week to build leadership capacity, elevate practice, and empower the changemakers of today and tomorrow, behaviorally speaking.
 

The Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers Host

Dr. Esther C. Bubb, host of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Changemakers, is an educator, behavior analyst, leader, and mentor with more than two decades of experience supporting children, schools, families, and professionals.
Grounded in a strengths-based and relationship-centered approach, Dr. Bubb specializes in leadership development, coaching structures, early childhood systems, and behavior intervention. Her work focuses on helping leaders and teams build confidence, clarity, and capacity to create lasting, meaningful change.
Blending evidence-based practices with heart-centered leadership, she empowers others to lead with purpose, resilience, and compassion. When she’s not teaching, mentoring, or presenting, Dr. Bubb is busy creating inspiring learning content, supporting early childhood teams, and helping leaders bring out the very best in themselves and others.
Follow the show and grow alongside Dr. Bubb, one intentional behavior at a time.
 

Season 1 Episode 9: Behavior, Belonging, and the Law: Leadership Lessons from Special Education Advocacy

In this powerful episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Gabrielle C. Sereni, Esquire, teacher turned school attorney, educational advocate, and founder of Sereni Law Group, LLC.
Together, they explore the intersection of behavior, belonging, and the law, uncovering how legal systems, human behavior, and leadership practices shape the lived experiences of children, families, and educators.
Drawing from her unique journey as a former public school teacher, education attorney, parent, and doctoral student in educational leadership, Gabrielle shares how keeping children at the center, leading with transparency, and addressing fear with empathy can transform systems from the inside out.
In this episode, Gaby shares:
Her journey from classroom to courtroom and why she never left her love for children and schools behind
Why centering the child creates clarity in the most complex educational decisions
How adult behavior—fear, stress, empathy, transparency—drives outcomes in special education
Why systemic weaknesses must be addressed proactively, not reactively
How behavior science supports conflict reduction, trust‑building, and culture change
What meaningful collaboration between families, educators, and legal teams truly requires
The real emotional experience of navigating special education law
The leadership values she lives by as a woman founder in a high‑stakes field
This conversation is honest, human, and deeply grounding. Whether you're a leader, educator, parent, or practitioner, Gaby’s insights offer a roadmap for compassionate, effective, and equitable leadership.
 
Gaby’s Bio:
Gabrielle Sereni loves schools and kids. She started out as a public school teacher and became a school lawyer at a time when there were very few people who even knew that was a field of law. Since then, she has represented dozens of school entities, as well as parents, and continues to raise her own children. A lifelong learner, she is approaching her dissertation phase for her Ed. D. at Neumann university so that she can serve as a more informed voice in discussions around improving education.Perhaps her greatest talent is recognizing the talent in others, and she has created the conditions necessary to assemble a group of educational professionals of the absolute highest caliber to join her in her entrepreneurial mission. SLG's focus is to improve education through proactive identification of systemic weaknesses, and to plan and implement foundational fortification of our educational programs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and beyond through a collaborative approach, looking to find long-term solutions which are fiscally responsible, achievable, and capable of harmonizing relationships between schools

Season 1 Episode 8: Leadership That Serves: Behavior- Driven Decision-Making In Education and Advocacy

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Jennie Prochorenko-Stadelberger, Special Education Consultant with Sereni Law Group LLC, for a rich discussion on servant leadership, behavior-driven decision making, and educational advocacy. We explore how servant leadership and behavioral science intersect to drive student success, strengthen teams, and sustain compliance without overwhelm. Jennie shares her journey from classroom teacher to systems leader, why she rejects silos in favor of interdisciplinary collaboration, and how strategies like positive reinforcement, ABC analysis, PBIS, and prompting & fading help students and adults thrive. We also cover responding to parent crises with emotional intelligence, coaching staff for capacity building, and turning legal standards into clear, actionable checklists.
In sharing her journey from the classroom to educational leadership and legal consultation, Jennie offers real-world insights on:
Servant leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration
Using behavioral data to inform leadership decisions
Supporting students, families, and staff through compassion and structure
Translating legal compliance into practical, people-centered systems
Building resilient teams and inclusive educational environments
Top Takeaways: Find a win in every day; all children can learn with the right tools; active listening is a leader’s superpower; own your seat at the table.
This episode is a must-listen for educators, administrators, advocates, and leaders committed to equitable, compliant, and effective educational systems.
Jennie Prochorenko-Stadelberger’s Bio
Jennie provides extensive expertise in special education advocacy with highlights of maintaining and leading complex educational teams and systems. She has dedicated her career to ensuring equitable, compliant, and effective educational programming across diverse settings. As a former special education administrator, she has successfully led initiatives to develop and monitor legally compliant individualized educational plans, ensure FAPE compliance, and implement inclusive practices. Her experience includes managing federal and state grants, fostering collaborative teams, and advocating for students and families to promote access and success in every educational setting while linking stable supports to community resources when entering into school-aged services as well as the postsecondary sector of education.
Jennie works closely with legal teams, community organizations, and educators to develop tailored programs that enhance student self-advocacy, foster family engagement, and uphold rigorous standards of educational excellence. By leveraging data analysis, detail-oriented professional development, and strategic planning, she advances inclusive practices and ensures program fidelity across multiple sites.
Her passion for creating inclusive, student-centered environments underscores her commitment to equitable educational opportunities and continuous improvement in all facets of special education and systemic leadership.