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Paul "Paulie" Gavoni, Ed.D., BCBA-D

Contributing Writer

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Location:

Fort Pierce, Florida

Interests:

Education, OBM, Behavioral Sports Psychology

About Me

Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni, an esteemed behavior scientist, educator, and leader, has shaped human performance and organizational leadership over the span of nearly three decades. In roles such as COO, Vice President, School Administrator, and School Turnaround Manager, he's unified his innovative approach through a dedication to human behavior science, aiming to enhance performance and leadership across various sectors.


With deep knowledge of organizational behavior science, Dr. Gavoni tackles real-world problems, candidly addressing the shortcomings in performance improvement and change management. His ability to highlight practical solutions, all firmly grounded in behavioral science, emphasizes his unwavering integrity. He employs this science to foster engaging and highly productive environments, adhering to a philosophy that cultivating excellence in employees naturally leads to an environment that supports the sustainable achievement of desired results.


Dr. Gavoni's reach extends internationally across education, behavior analysis, and human service organizations. Hosting the globally acclaimed Crisis in Education Podcast, Thoughts and Rants of a Behavior Scientist Podcast, and being a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling co-author, his impact resonates widely. His publications, such as "Positional Authority Ain't Leadership," "Deliberate Coaching, " "The 5 Scientific Laws of Life & Leadership: Behavioral Karma," “Quick Wins!,” and “QUICK Responses For Misbehavior,” balance technical depth with accessibility. They provide fresh perspectives and actionable solutions to modern educational and performance challenges, all rooted in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.


A sought-after international speaker, Dr. Gavoni's presentation style blends professionalism with approachability, concentrating on tangible problems and realistic solutions. His authenticity and firsthand experiences facilitate a strong connection with audiences, allowing him to express concerns about educational systems and the adverse effects of certain methodologies while concurrently offering positive, science-based alternatives.


Beyond his work in education and human services, Dr. Gavoni is a former Golden Gloves Champion and highly respected striking coach in combat sports. Coach "Paulie Gloves," as he is known in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community, has trained world champions and UFC vets using technologies rooted in the behavioral sciences. Coach Paulie has been featured in the books Beast: Blood, Struggle, and Dreams at the Heart of Mixed Martial Arts, A Fighter's Way, the feature article Ring to Cage: How four former boxers help mold MMA's finest, FX's The Toughman, and was recently featured in the Lifetime reality series Leave it to Geege. He is also an author who has written extensively for online magazines such as Bloody Elbow, Scifighting, Last Word on Sports, and Bloody Elbow, where his Fight Science series continues to bring behavioral science to MMA.


Dr. Gavoni's philosophy underscores continual advancement, positive evolution, and functional efficacy, marking him as a symbol of integrity and excellence in his field. His work not only challenges conventional thinking in education but also spans human services and combat sports, solidifying his role as a distinctive and influential figure across diverse disciplines. The multifaceted nature of his career serves as a living testament to the transformative potential of behavioral science, positioning Dr. Gavoni as a lasting voice for constructive change and a guiding force in educational renewal.

Articles

Nov 15, 2024

No More Big 'Buts': How to Keep Feedback Supportive and Effective

Imagine you're a newly minted BCBA, excited about your latest intervention plan. Your supervisor starts with praise: “You accurately...

Nov 15, 2024

Managing Mayhem in Education: The OBM-Driven Framework Schools Desperately Need

Sponsored by the Professional Crisis Management Association Imagine a new teacher, Ms. Ellis, whose classroom feels like a constant...

Oct 15, 2024

Overcoming Behavioral Challenges in Schools Requires this Key Ingredient

Education is in crisis, and educators are clamoring for a positive change. And they deserve it. We shouldn't be asking educators what...

Oct 15, 2024

Beyond Behavior Skills Training: The Value of the Teaching Interaction Procedure for Building Fluency

Co-authored with Stephanie Waldon As behavior analysts, we have the crucial responsibility of training our therapists to achieve fluency...

Oct 15, 2024

The Difference Between Training, Coaching, and Managing: A Functional Perspective

There’s been a lot of confusion around the roles of training, coaching, and managing. People often believe these terms are...

Sep 15, 2024

Avoiding Assumptions: A Systematic Approach to Solving RBT Performance Issues

Alex Turner’s journey into behavior analysis began with excitement and uncertainty, as they quickly encountered the common challenges many n

Sep 15, 2024

The 'Punished by Rewards' Faux Pas: Bridging Rewards and the Love of Learning

In the educational discourse, "Punished by Rewards" by Alfie Kohn (1993) sparked a critical conversation about the use of rewards in learnin

Aug 15, 2024

Beyond Wellness Programs: The Critical Role of Leadership in Organizational Health and Employee Well-Being

Imagine a mid-sized tech company, 24-7 Tech, that prides itself on being at the cutting edge of the industry. In response to growing...

Aug 15, 2024

Breaking the Cycle: A Strategic Approach to RBT Training and Retention

Co-authored with Stephanie Waldon Alex Turner had recently achieved their RBT certification with a blend of trepidation and exhilaration....

Jul 15, 2024

How State Institutions Inadvertently Punish Restraint Reporting—And What They Should Do Instead

Sponsored by the Professional Crisis Management Association A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away—well, not quite, but it certainly...

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