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.