The Crisis in Education Podcast
Educators are the backbone of our nation, and education is its lifeblood. But because of a number of issues exacerbated by politics and the pandemic, it is progressively faltering. From teacher shortages and failing schools to growing mental health issues, there is an undeniable growing crisis in Education at the individual, classroom, and school level. Though painful, with the right approaches, crises can be leveraged as an opportunity for growth. Therefore, Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni and Drew Carter are co-hosting the Crisis in Education Podcast, where Education meets Behavior Science, to interview educational leaders, behavior scientists, and experts around the world to dissect the root causes of crisis issues and explore potential opportunities for sustainable improvement across schools and districts. [Sponsored by the Professional Crisis Management Association - pcma.com]
Episodes
In this episode, Dr. Paulie welcomes back Dr. Greg Rockhold, a seasoned educator and leader with nearly 30 years of experience and service, including on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Known for his thought-provoking LinkedIn posts, Dr. Rockhold joins to discuss one of his most pressing concerns: the lack of preparation first-year teachers receive before being thrown ...
In this episode of The Heart & Science of Leadership Podcast, Dr. Paulie Gavoni sits down with veteran educator Dr. Michael L. Cubbin for a spirited debate on classroom leadership. The conversation was sparked by Cubbin’s critique of Paulie’s article on establishing expectations during the first week of school, and by his own provocative piece, “Don’t Grade Student Work On-Time? Shame on You!”
What followed was an ...
In this episode, Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni sits down with Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County Schools in Florida, to explore how one of the lowest-performing districts in the state transformed into a model of success.
When Dr. Surrency took office in 2016, Putnam County Schools faced daunting challenges: a graduation rate under 55%, multiple failing schools, and a community that many considered on the dec...
In this episode of The Crisis in Education Podcast, Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni sits down with three-time District Teacher of the Year finalist, Tana Stanley, to explore a critical and often overlooked element of classroom success—student voice.
They dig into how giving students opportunities to provide feedback through structured surveys can foster engagement, build psychological safety, and contribute to a mor...
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Paulie sits down with Dr. Keith Storey—Professor Emeritus, BCBA-D, and lifelong educator—to explore how PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) isn’t just for schools. They break down how the same strategies that support students in classrooms can be used to empower people with disabilities as they transition into adult life and the workforce.
Too often, students wit...
We all talk about feedback—but what if the real key to teacher growth is the trust behind it?
In this episode of the Crisis in Education podcast, Dr. Paulie sits down with Craig Randall, former principal, counselor, and author of Trust-Based Observations, to challenge the compliance-heavy approach to teacher evaluations.
Craig makes a compelling case: Feedback matters. But unless it's grounded in psychological safe...
In this episode, Dr. Paulie sits down once again with Andrew Kieta, Executive Director of Morningside Academy, to unpack what might just be one of education’s best-kept secrets. They dive into the practical magic behind Morningside’s model—one rooted in precision teaching, fluency-based instruction, and the science of human behavior.
From guaranteeing students double their expected academic growth to evolving principle...
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...
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 roo...
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...
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. Wi...
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 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 stude...
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 su...
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 observ...
In this eye-opening episode of Crisis in Education, Dr. Paulie sits down with Dr. Greg Rockhold to explore a bold and urgent topic: the growing teacher turnover crisis and its potential implications for national security. Drawing from decades of experience in education and leadership, Dr. Rockhold offers a compelling analysis of how the exodus of teachers from the profession threatens not only the quality of education...
In this episode, Christopher Hull sits down with Dr. Paulie to share his journey from the classroom to becoming a leader in educational innovation. As a former teacher, Christopher understands the challenges educators face every day and uses that experience to drive meaningful change in K-12 education. Together, he and Dr. Paulie dive into what it takes to empower teachers, improve student outcomes, and turn data into...
In this episode of the Crisis in Education podcast, Dr. Paulie sits down with Dr. Skip Wilhoit to dive into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of educational success—measuring and incorporating school climate into the overall school grade. Together, they explore why a supportive, positive climate is essential for both students and educators, the ways in which it impacts academic outcomes, and how school climate me...
In this episode of Crisis in Education, we sit down with 25 year principal Martin Silverman, author of the upcoming book Sustaining Excellence: How Culture Drives Teacher Retention. Marty shares his perspective as a long-time school leader, discussing effective strategies to foster a positive school culture that encourages teacher retention.
Dr. Pauile discusses the actionable approaches Marty applied as a l...
Why are Black men so rarely seen in leadership roles in our schools? In this episode, Dr. Paulie teams up with Dr. Bruce Tinor, a trailblazing school principal and behavior analyst—perhaps the only Black man to hold both distinctions. In it, they dissect the complex layers of systemic barriers and historical patterns that contribute to this significant underrepresentation. More importantly, they explore the potential ...
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