S2 E3: From Oversight to Empowerment: Leading Systems of Growth in Special Education

S2 E6: Beyond Compliance | Compassionate Leadership in Special Education

What does authentic leadership look like in education, advocacy, and systems change? In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with Dr. Briana Bronstein—Assistant Teaching Professor at Widener University, researcher, consultant, advocate, and first-generation Latina scholar—to explore the intersection of identity, leadership, inclusion, neurodiversity, and evidence-based practice. Together, they discuss: * Navigating leadership as a first-generation scholar * Supporting teachers through mentorship and ongoing coaching * Building authentic collaboration between schools and families * Ethical and compassionate implementation of ABA and evidence-based practices * Moving from compliance-based systems toward dignity-centered practice * Why communication and transparency matter in leadership * Advocacy, inclusion, and empowering student voice This conversation offers practical insights for educators, school leaders, behavior analysts, consultants, and anyone committed to creating more inclusive and compassionate systems. Because leadership is behavioral, and meaningful change starts with how we show up for others. About Our Guest Dr. Briana Bronstein, Ph.D., Special Education Consultant, Assistant Teaching Professor Briana Bronstein is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Center for Education at Widener University and a special education consultant. Her work sits at the intersection of special education, teacher preparation, and applied research, with a strong focus on supporting educators who serve neurodivergent learners and students with complex needs. Briana has extensive experience as a classroom coach, project manager, and research coordinator on federally funded grants, where she has led professional development, supported school teams, and implemented evidence-based practices across diverse educational settings.   In addition to her teaching and consulting work, Briana is an active researcher and presenter, with multiple peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations focused on inclusive practices, behavioral supports, and community-engaged teacher education. She is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice, helping educators feel confident, prepared, and supported in real classrooms. Through her work, Briana is committed to advancing equitable, practical, and sustainable approaches to special education and educator development. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianabronstein [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianabronstein]

S2 E5: Young Leaders of Grenada 🇬🇩 | Building Identity, Purpose, and Leadership

What shapes a young leader? In Part I of our special four-part series, Young Leaders of Grenada: Rooted in Culture. Rising in Leadership. Ready to Lead, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with an extraordinary panel of Grenadian youth leaders from Grenada and the diaspora. Together, they explore: * How family, culture, and community shape identity * The values that anchor leadership * How adversity builds resilience * Why purpose evolves over time * How young people are using their voices to create change, including in social issues such as gender-based violence From mental health advocacy and cybersecurity to climate resilience, education, finance, ministry, and public service, these young leaders offer honest, inspiring reflections on what it means to lead with authenticity. Key themes include: * Servant leadership * Transformational leadership * Growth mindset * Self-advocacy * Purpose-driven action Whether you are a young professional, educator, parent, or aspiring leader, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on who you are and how you are showing up in the world. 🎧 Listen now and be inspired to lead where you are. About Our Guest Panelists 1. Zadie Barry Zadie Barry is a youth leader and advocate whose work centers on youth empowerment, climate action, and responsible development, with a strong focus on creating practical opportunities for young people to lead and thrive. She is the founder of the Small Island Futures Foundation, where she drives initiatives that connect environmental awareness, mental well-being, and economic opportunity. She is also the founder and project lead for GND MindSpace, a youth-focused mental health initiative creating safe, accessible spaces for open conversations and support around well-being. With over five years of volunteer experience, Zadie has been an active member of the Youth Emergency Action Committee and serves as Vice-Chair for Communications with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network Caribbean Chapter, where she contributes to regional advocacy and youth engagement on environmental issues. She is also the voice behind The Youth Spotlight, a platform dedicated to highlighting young people who are making a meaningful impact in their communities. With a background in meteorology and a deep commitment to civic engagement, she brings a thoughtful and solution-oriented perspective to conversations around development, resilience, and youth leadership across the Caribbean. 2. Timara Bubb I am Timara Bubb, a recent graduate in Physics from McMaster, specializing in Medical and Biological Physics. I have a strong passion for science education and work in various outreach roles focused on educational equity and supporting equity-deserving kids in science. In my free time, I enjoy reading, volunteering and taking nature walks. 3. Emerson Calliste A passionate church youth ministry leader, champion for civic engagement and youth accountability, community advocate, entrepreneur, former youth parliamentarian, youth activist 4. Brandon Felix Brandon Felix is a student at St. George’s University with a strong passion for leadership, faith, and youth development. He is deeply committed to mentoring and guiding young people, particularly within the communities of Hope, Marquis, and Mt. Fann. He currently serves as Youth President of the Marquis Pentecostal Church, where he leads youth initiatives, mentors young people, and creates spaces that encourage spiritual growth, discipline, and positive life choices. His leadership focuses on building a generation that is grounded in faith and empowered to make meaningful contributions to society. Brandon also serves as Treasurer for both the Marquis Pentecostal Church and the Northeastern Zone of the Pentecostal Assembly of the West Indies (PAWI), Grenada Youth Ministries, where he is responsible for financial oversight and accountability, as well as supporting the sustainability of youth programs and activities. In addition, he is a National Youth Ambassador, where he contributes to youth representation and remains engaged in national conversations surrounding youth development and community impact. Brandon is driven by a vision to use his leadership and influence to inspire change, strengthen communities, and empower the next generation. 5. Paul McBurnie Paul McBurnie is an Attorney-at-Law at Ciboney Chambers, Grenada. He has been admitted to practice law in Grenada and the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and specializes in Litigation & Dispute Resolution as well as Conveyancing, Wills, Trusts & Succession, having recently assumed the role of Interim Head of the firm’s Conveyancing and Succession Department. Mr. McBurnie has appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal in matters concerning contractual disputes, contentious probate, labor & employment, real property, and public law. In his free time, Mr. McBurnie enjoys hiking, swimming, singing, and photography. 6. Peter McBurnie I am an adaptable and versatile individual with an academic background in Economics and International Business. Detail-oriented and dependable, I engage effectively with people across time zones and cultures, both independently and collaboratively.  I bring initiative, a broad perspective, and a strong sense of professionalism to every environment I join. 7. Mikhaela McKinnie As a recent graduate of Temple University with a double major in Financial Planning and Real Estate, I am focused on building a career grounded in trust and exceptional service. Throughout my client-facing career, I have developed a strong dedication to prioritizing the needs of every client I serve. As I pursue my CFP® designation via Vanguard's Financial Advisor Development Program, I am committed to empowering clients through financial literacy and helping them build a solid foundation for a stable financial future. I also have a strong interest in real estate investment and am eager to expand my industry knowledge, grow my network, and explore new opportunities. With my global perspective and curiosity, I aim to serve clients from diverse backgrounds and help them achieve their unique financial goals. 8. Lily Welsh My name is Lily Welsh, and I am a passionate young professional from St. Mark, Grenada, dedicated to youth development, leadership, and community empowerment. I currently work as a Cybersecurity Officer within the Division of ICT in the Office of the Prime Minister, where I contribute to strengthening digital security and innovation. Beyond my professional role, I am actively involved in youth advocacy and national development through organizations such as the National Youth Ambassador Corps, Youth Parliament, and community initiatives. I am passionate about creating opportunities for young people, inspiring positive change, and using my voice to represent the needs of my generation. I am also someone who values growth, resilience, and service, and I believe in leading with purpose while making a meaningful impact wherever I serve. 9. Chrystal Williams Chrystal Williams is a youth-focused and climate-committed professional who has contributed to impactful initiatives across Grenada. She is a strong advocate for youth development and meaningful participation in decision-making spaces. She has supported the work of NGOs such as CYEN Grenada, Grenada Planned Parenthood Association, Youth Advocacy Movement, and CIWIL. She has a focus on project management, currently within infrastructure, and has experience within the climate sphere that strengthens communities. Chrystal has contributed to both national and regional initiatives, including climate adaptation planning and environmental sustainability efforts. At the core of her work is a commitment to helping people and communities become more resilient to the disasters they often face. She holds a Master’s in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Governance and a Bachelor’s in International Management.

S2 E4: Presence and Persistence in Leadership: Leading with Data, Empathy, and Heart ❤️ 💚 💛 🇬🇩

What does it mean to lead with both data and heart? In this episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Dr. Renisha James-Thomas, a Grenadian-born educator and Evaluation Coordinator in Texas, to explore how leadership is shaped by cultural identity, resilience, and disciplined presence. Renisha shares how her upbringing in Grenada instilled a deep sense of community, optimism, and perseverance. She explains why data should be approached with curiosity rather than judgment, and how empathy helps leaders uncover the human stories behind behavior. Key themes include: • The power of presence in leadership • Looking beyond numbers to understand context • Leading with empathy in special education • Black educator persistence and resistance • Caribbean values that shape effective leadership Memorable Quotes: • “Numbers don’t lie, but mathematicians do.” • “The moment you’re in is not the moment you’ll be in forever.” • “We likkle buh we tallawah: we are small, but we make a big impact.” About Our Guest Dr. Renisha James-Thomas is a seasoned special education leader whose career spans classroom teaching, district‑level evaluation coordination, and research on the lived experiences of Black educators. She supports one of Texas’s larger special education populations, overseeing evaluation processes for nearly 2,000 students and working alongside school psychologists, educational diagnosticians, speech‑language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and other service providers. Her day‑to‑day work is the real engine of the system: coordinating services, navigating difficult conversations with families, mediating disagreements, managing contracts for evaluators, and keeping timelines and compliance requirements steady in a fast‑moving environment. Renisha is known for bringing clarity, steadiness, and a sense of humanity to processes that can easily overwhelm both families and staff. As a Black educator in a state where Black professionals remain significantly underrepresented, Renisha’s leadership is shaped by both lived experience and scholarly inquiry. Her doctoral research in educational leadership examined the persistence and resistance of Black educators, how they stay, how they push back, and how they carve out space in systems not originally built with them in mind. That lens guides her work today, from mentoring new educators to advocating for equitable evaluation practices to strengthening structures that protect vulnerable students and honor the labor of the service providers who hold up special education every day. Her approach is direct, grounded, and deeply rooted in community, care, and disciplined standards.

S2 E3: From Oversight to Empowerment: Leading Systems of Growth in Special Education

What happens when a leader shifts from managing people to designing systems that help them thrive? In this episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb speaks with Thomas C. Fitti, MS Ed, Director of Education and Development at Quantum Education Professionals. Tom shares how his career in special education administration prepared him to lead large-scale workforce solutions that help schools reduce operational friction, strengthen compliance, and build sustainable capacity. Key takeaways: • Shift from correction to reinforcement. • Use data to improve systems, not judge people. • Build relationships over transactions. • Lead with active listening. • Develop stamina by anchoring in your purpose. Memorable quote: “Upper Darby taught me how to work. Quantum gave me the platform to scale that work.”   About Our Guest Thomas Fitti is a strategic education leader and workforce solutions executive driving system-level impact across public school districts. Currently serving as Director of Education and Development for Quantum Resource Professionals in the Northeast, he joined the organization in July 2025 and leads the implementation of Q360 Workforce Solutions, a managed service provider model that helps districts streamline vendor management, strengthen compliance, and improve staffing outcomes. His work focuses on reducing operational friction, increasing visibility into workforce performance, and building sustainable, in-district capacity to better serve students. Prior to joining Quantum, Thomas spent more than two decades in public education as a special education teacher, coordinator, and administrator in districts such as Upper Darby and Downingtown. He has led large-scale program development, including the expansion of autistic support and emotional support services, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and driven initiatives that reduced out-of-district placements while improving student outcomes. Known for his practical, relationship-driven approach, Thomas combines deep operational knowledge with a commitment to supporting educators, students, and communities at every level.

S2 E2: Blueprints for Change: Engineering Leadership and Social Responsibility in Grenada

What does civil engineering teach us about leadership, accountability, and social responsibility? In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Timothy Bubb, Managing Director of SAFED, Inc., to explore engineering‑informed leadership, mentorship, and nation‑building in Grenada. With over 34 years of experience across the Caribbean, Timothy shares how civil engineering is not just about structures, but about people, systems, and society. He explains how principles like safety, function, economics, discipline, and aesthetics translate into leadership practices grounded in integrity, clarity, and accountability. From defining engineering as “the art of using nature’s resources for the benefit of humankind,” to applying structured thinking in leadership, the discussion explores mentoring young leaders, cultivating responsibility, addressing gender‑based violence through early education, and redefining leadership as everyday behavior. Key takeaways include: * Why leadership requires balancing competing priorities to find optimal solutions * How explaining the “why” drives performance and accountability * The role of attention to detail in identifying and developing future leaders * How integrity and compassion coexist in high-stakes, deadline-driven environments * Why early intervention is critical in addressing social issues like gender-based violence This episode challenges leaders to move beyond silos, think systemically, and commit to being the best they can be, for themselves, their teams, and their communities. 🎧 Listen now and discover how structure, purpose, and behavior intersect to drive meaningful change. Guest: Timothy Bubb, Managing Director, SAFED, Inc., Grenada, WI Mr. Timothy Bubb, Eng, has 34 years experience in civil engineering in the fields of Roads, Bridges and Retaining Walls, Water Supply and Sewerage, Industrial, Public, Educational and Institutional Facilities, among others, having carried out in the said fields, needs assessment, structural assessment, preliminary design, final design, preparation of tender documents, tender evaluation, preparation of contract documents, contract administration, technical inspection of construction, and project management.  Mr. Bubb is Managing Director of SAFED Inc., which has been engaged by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) as consultant for projects in Grenada, St. Lucia, and Dominica. Mr. Bubb is experienced in the implementation of internationally funded infrastructure projects, having worked on such projects in Grenada, Barbados, Anguilla, St. Lucia and Dominica, where his duties have included inspecting and approving the Works to ensure compliance with the Drawings, Specifications and good engineering practice, redesigning portions of the Works as became necessary or desirable as a result of conditions encountered during construction, tracking construction progress against the Programme of Works, issuing Payment Certificates, Variation Orders and Site Instructions, preparing progress reports and maintaining contemporary records of the Works.  Mr. Bubb’s engineering competence is further enhanced by his familiarity with the FIDIC Conditions of Contract, the CDB Conditions of Contract, AutoCAD drafting software, and popular project management, spreadsheet, and word-processing software. Mr. Bubb is a proactive, organized, and methodical manager, with a rational approach to his duties and a penchant for efficiency.