From Crisis Response to Crisis Prevention: A Conversation with Special Education Leaders

Lillie Joyce, M.S., BCBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst based in Boston, Massachusetts. She brings a diverse range of experience across specialized schools, clinics, and hospital settings, as well as a personal connection through supporting adult family members with disabilities.

Lillie currently serves as a QBS Master Trainer and expert in the Safety-Care behavioral safety training program. She has helped implement Safety-Care across a variety of settings—including schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and substance use rehabilitation facilities—with a focus on promoting dignity, safety, and evidence-based practice. She is passionate about expanding access to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in organizations that may not traditionally receive such services.

Lorie Coates, MEd., SpC., BCBA, LBA. Lorie Coates is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with six years of experience in the field. Her professional journey spans more than three decades in education and behavioral support. Prior to becoming a BCBA, Lorie served as a School Psychologist for 16 years and as a District Coordinator for 10 years. Currently, she is the Co-Coordinator of the Behavior Assessment Intervention and Training (BAIT) Team, where she collaborates with educators and support staff to address and improve challenging student behavior. Lorie is passionate about empowering teams and creating effective, compassionate interventions for students. Her work is grounded in collaboration, practical strategies, and a deep belief in the potential of every child. Outside of her professional life, Lorie enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and camping. She’s also an avid reader, a recreational boxer, and loves relaxing with her family.

Patrick is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team. Originally from the humble town of Boring, Oregon, Patrick earned his undergrad and masters in special education and behavior analysis from Gonzaga University. While spending several years educating students with disabilities, from pre-school to high school, Patrick developed an affinity for working with students with autism and complex behaviors. Today he works as an educational consultant and as the Director of Student Engagement for the Auburn School District in Washington State.

Leah Hunter is a proud mom of two boys, ages 9 and 7, and an educator passionate about supporting students with behavioral needs. Originally from Michigan, Leah began her educational career at a center-based school serving students with significant behavioral needs. After moving to Texas with her husband, who served in the Army, she continued her work in special education by teaching in a behavior unit on a campus serving more than 1,000 students.

Leah later moved to San Antonio, where she taught in a Behavior Mastery Classroom (BMC), supporting students with behavioral needs with the ultimate goal of successfully transitioning them back into the general education setting. She then moved into district-level leadership as a Behavior Support Specialist and currently serves as the BMC Program Specialist, supporting and overseeing 107 behavior units across the third-largest school district in Texas.

In addition to training Safety-Care, she also oversees the logistical and operational side of the district’s Safety-Care program, which trains more than 2,000 staff members each year. She has a particular passion for Safety-Care because of its emphasis on prevention, proactive supports, and de-escalation strategies, helping staff safely support students while reducing the need for crisis interventions.

Leah holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about developing educators, strengthening behavioral programming, and creating systems that help both students and staff succeed.