Welcome to the 50TH EPISODE of The Behavior Education Connection! This is a special episode, with insights and reflections from your host, Dr. Selena Layden, and thoughts on the best part of being a school-based behavior analysts from a whole panel of special guests!

Head on over to the website for the Virginia Public School Behavior Analyst Network (VAPSBAN) and check out all of our episodes, resources, and more!

https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban-member-site/home?authuser=0

Host: Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Movement Studies and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on providing effective professional development for school personnel, improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder, and school-based behavior analysts.

Music: Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to the Behavior Education Connection! In this episode, we talk about problem solving models, and how they can benefit school teams supporting students and teachers in public school settings.

Our guests for this episode are Dr. Kristy Park from George Mason University and Daniel Irwin from Virginia Commonwealth University's Autism Center for Education.

We'll discuss:

-Ideas and benefits for problem solving models

-Benefits for teams confronted with problems

And more!

For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/home⁠Guest

Speakers: Daniel Irwin, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, serves as aTraining and Technical Assistance Associate with the VCU-RRTC Autism Center for Education (ACE). In this role, he provides specialized training and classroom coaching to scale the implementation of evidence-based practices acrossVirginia.

With a career spanning over two decades, Daniel has helddiverse roles in both public and private education, including instructional assistant, teacher, and program coordinator. Notably, he served as a Specialist at the Virginia Department of Education, where he managed statewide grants andprojects focused on autism, assistive technology, and intellectual disabilities. Before joining VCU, he was a school division Behavior Analyst, instrumental in developing division-wide multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and streamlining FBA and BIP processes.

Daniel is currently the Secretary for the VirginiaAssociation for Behavior Analysis (VABA) and serves on the Advisory Committee for the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Network (VAPSBAN).

Kristy Lee Park, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA  is an Associate Professor in the Division of Special Education and disAbility Research at George Mason University and a Doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed by the VirginiaBoard of Medicine. A former special educator, her classroom experience continues to shape her research, teaching, and service. Dr. Park specializes in training teachers to implement targeted and intensive behavioral supports, particularly functional behavior assessments, within a School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) framework. Her work focuses on the systems that influence the adoption and sustainability of evidence-based practices in schools, and she has served as a systems coach in Virginia as well as a consultant in the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Maryland.

Host: Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Movement Studies and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on providing effective professional development for school personnel, improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder, and school-based behavior analysts.

Music: Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to the Behavior Education Connection! In this episode, we talk about group contingencies- what they are, how they work, and how to use them in school settings!

Our guest for this episode is Erin McCormick, Behavior Specialist with Fluvanna County Public Schools.

We'll discuss:

-Ideas and benefits for group contingencies, particularly for older students

-Benefits for using these strategies

-Opportunities for skill development within these contingencies

And more!

For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/home⁠Guest

Speaker: Erin McCormack is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with Fluvanna County Public Schools. She’s been working in public education since 2006 — first as a special education teacher, then as a behavior specialist, and now as the division’s BCBA. Erin supports students from kindergarten through high school, focusing on practical behavior systems, collaboration, and staff coaching. She loves living and working in a small rural community, where she feels her work has a big impact, and she’s passionate about using behavior analysis to make people’s lives better.

Host: Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Movement Studies and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on providing effective professional development for school personnel, improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder, and school-based behavior analysts.

Music: Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to the Behavior Education Connection! In this episode, we talk about strategies for disseminating behavior analysis in public school settings to a variety of stakeholders.

Our guest for this episode is Karen Berlin, Co-Director, VTSS Systems Coach, Significant Disabilities Coordinator with George Mason Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC).

We'll discuss:

-Considerations for effective systems change at any level

-Opportunities for behavior analysts to participate in and design effective systems

-Ways to access reinforcement and support during the process

And more!

For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/home⁠

Guest Speaker: Karen Berlin is a Co-Director, Virginia Tiered Systems of Support Coach, and Significant Disabilities Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Center at George Mason University. She holds dual teacher licensure in early/middle education and special education, including general and adapted curriculum, and has a variety of teaching and support service experiences, ranging from preschool through adulthood.Host: Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Movement Studies and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on providing effective professional development for school personnel, improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder, and school-based behavior analysts.

Music: Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to this BEST OF episode of The Behavior Education Connection!

In this episode, we talk about cultivating leadership skills through a behavior analytic lens, with special consideration of the possible role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Jodie Soracco, Director of the Virginia Tiered System of Supports Research and Implementation Center.

We'll discuss:

-Reflections on leadership and how it impacts school-based behavior analysts

-Ways to reflect on and grow from leadership experiences as they show up

-Getting started on exploring the connection between ACT and leadership development

And more!

For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/home⁠

Guest Speaker:

Dr. Jodie Soracco is the Director of the Virginia Tiered System of Supports, Research and Implementation Center. In her role, she helps build state and division-level capacity to support the sustained and broad-scale implementation of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) across the Commonwealth of Virginia. With 18 years of experience in education, Dr. Soracco has dedicated 16 years to PBS/MTSS work, acquiring expertise in various MTSS applications such as home, school, community, mental health integration, rural communities, and interdisciplinary interests. Her professional background includes teaching experience in both general and special education, and furthermore, Dr. Soracco is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a licensed behavior analyst in Virginia.

Host:

Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Movement Studies and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on providing effective professional development for school personnel, improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder, and school-based behavior analysts.

Music:

Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to the Behavior Education Connection! In this episode, we talk about strategies for disseminating behavior analysis in public school settings to a variety of stakeholders.

Our guest for this episode is Jennifer Carpenter, Coordinator in the Office of Special Education with the West Virginia Department of Education.

We'll discuss:

-Needs of various school personnel when it comes to supporting behavior

-Strategies for effective collaboration

-Resources to further support that collaboration

And more!

Grab your own copy of the Behavior Blueprint: Crafting Strategies for Supporting Your Classroom here: https://wvde.us/sites/default/files/2025-10/Behavior%20Blueprint%202025-acc.pdf

For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/home⁠

Guest Speaker: Jennifer Carpenter is a Coordinator in the Office of Special Education at the West Virginia Department of Education and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Jennifer brings extensive experience in mental health and behavioral support for children, educators and families.

Host: Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Movement Studies and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on providing effective professional development for school personnel, improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder, and school-based behavior analysts.

Music: Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to the Behavior Education Connection!In this episode, we talk about connecting and aligning the science of behavior and behavior analytic practice in school settings.Our guest for this episode is Kira Austin, Behavior Analyst with Richmond City Public SchoolsWe'll discuss:-The need to stay grounded in science as a behavior analyst-How to translate that science effectively for varied stakeholders-The critical role of humilityAnd more!For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/home⁠Guest Speaker:Kira is a Behavior Analyst with Richmond Public Schools and has previously worked in a variety of settings, including clinical and university settings. Host:Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Movement Studies and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on providing effective professional development for school personnel, improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder, and school-based behavior analysts.

Music: Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to the Behavior Education Connection!

In this episode, we take a look at the I'm Determined framework and a system-wide effort to implement it to increase student self-determination, as well as how behavior analysts can use their leadership to enhance outcomes for self determination for students.

Our guest for this episode is Hayley Mullins from Winchester Public Schools.

For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/home⁠

Music:

Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to the Behavior Education Connection!In this episode, we talk about special considerations for behavior analysts considering a career working in or in support of public schools.Our guest for this episode is none other than our own Selena Layden, Executive Director of VAPSBAN!

We'll discuss:-What makes a school setting unique

-Important skills for successful practice

-Benefits of working in a school settingAnd more!For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/home⁠Guest Speaker and Host:Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Movement Studies and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on providing effective professional development for school personnel, improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder, and school-based behavior analysts.Music:Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music

Welcome to the BEST OF the Behavior Education Connection!In this classic episode, we get down to business to address an all-too-common situation for behavior analysts practicing in public schools- the need to repair relationships and make plans to move forward in the interest of collaboration.Our guest for this episode is Lauren Vetere from the VCU Autism Center for Education (VCU-ACE).We'll discuss:-Strategies to gather facts and prepare for future collaboration;-Ways to deal with difficult scenarios where an immediate resolution may not be possible;-Real talk ways to ensure communication efforts are better received; And more!For more information, check out the Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Website: ⁠https://sites.google.com/odu.edu/vapsban/homeGuest Speaker:Lauren Vetere, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA Lauren is a Training and Technical Assistance Associate at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Autism Center for Excellence (VCU-ACE). She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from George Mason University. Lauren earned her master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Vetere also received her Educational Leadership endorsement from the University of Mary Washington. She has worked previously as a division-wide Autism and Behavior Specialist, Special Education Teacher, and Training Coordinator. Mrs. Vetere has experience working with individuals with disabilities from preschool to adulthood in both public and private settings.Host:Selena J. Layden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders and Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dr. Layden earned her doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education Administration and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at ODU, Dr. Layden worked in multiple school divisions focusing on challenging behavior and children with autism spectrum disorder. She was also the Assistant Director of Training at the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Layden’s research interests focus on autism spectrum disorder, providing effective professional development for school personnel, and improving the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools.Music:Finding Peace by Remember the Future, from Shutterstock Music