Best The BTS Center Podcasts (2024)

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226. The Nuts & Bolts of Leading Your classroom Team [Getting Ready for BTS] 15:26

1h ago15:26

15:26

Teachers struggle a LOT with building and leading their classroom teams. I want to structure this month’s podcasts around helping you do both because even if you’re just out of school and surrounded by paraprofessionals with three times as much experience, you need to take the lead. So today, I start with a discussion of the nuts and bolts of build…

1
What’s the Deal with Aldo Leon? & thoughts on the PCA 1:40:01

3d ago1:40:01

1:40:01

Pastor George interviews Pastor Aldo Leon about his views, social media demeanor, and thoughts on the PCA. Aldo is the Senior Pastor of Pinelands Presbyterian Church in Miami, FL, where he also hosts his longform Podcast called Kingdom Polemics.By George Sayour

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225. 5 Key Characteristics of a Strong Classroom Schedule for the IEP [Getting Ready for BTS] 15:00

13h ago15:00

15:00

Today, I’m focusing on setting up the classroom schedule for the IEP. To me, the schedule is the most important and pivotal element of classroom design. It drives the other pieces of the classroom, tells me what the physical space will look like, and is based on the teaching implementation plan. Once the TIP is completed, it’s easier to see what ac…

1
Jesus Calling in the PCA 1:20:54

16d ago1:20:54

1:20:54

Ruling Elders Doug Sharp & Kevin Miller discuss the PCA's investigation and surrounding controversy into the Jesus Calling Book. https://www.reformation21.org/blog/jesus-calling-and-the-pca https://americanreformer.org/2024/02/jesus-calling-and-the-pca/ https://www.redeemer.com/redeemer-report/article/jesus_calling_by_sarah_young_a_review https://w…

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224. Building the Classroom Culture [Getting Ready for BTS] 14:31

15d ago14:31

14:31

Continuing our five-part series on Building Effective Classroom Teams, this episode focuses on how you, as a team member, are responsible for establishing and nurturing the classroom culture with both the students and the staff. Your tone, your behavior, and your approach can make the difference between a classroom that people tolerate working in e…

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223. How to Prep for the New Year By the Pool [Getting Ready for BTS] 19:32

11d ago19:32

19:32

July’s here! It’s an interesting month for us teachers. Everyone tends to slow down this time of year, go on vacation, and relax and chill. But those of us in the teaching world take some time out of our summer to gear up for the new school year. So, to move you forward in that direction, I want to give you some idea of materials I’d prioritize as …

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222. What Is an Independent Work System Really? [Listener Favorite] 16:23

18d ago16:23

16:23

If you follow me on social media, you can probably tell that I love independent work systems! Social media has made sharing tasks among each other much easier compared to the days before the arrival of Pinterest and Instagram. But it also means you have access to tons of misinformation, and there's a lot of it out there when it comes to independent…

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Moderator Dowling, Godzilla Bob, and That Biese Guy 1:20:37

19d ago1:20:37

1:20:37

Pastor George has post assembly fun with the Moderator of the PCA's 51st General Assembly RE Steve Dowling. RE Bob Mattes, aka "Tanker Bob" aka "Godzilla Bob" joins the conversation as well as "It ain't easy being Ryan Biese" who hosts The Westminster Standard Podcast: A Podcast of Jude3inThePCA.By Ryan Biese & Steve Dowling

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221. Teaching Implementation Plan: An Easy Road Map for Your Classroom IEP [Listener Favorite] 13:51

27d ago13:51

13:51

So far, I’ve spent the last few episodes talking about creating a collaborative IEP. So now that that’s done, you have to actually implement the IEP. Start thinking about how to organize your learning environment and incorporate the IEPs for all of your students to meet their individual needs. It takes a well-structured, well-organized classroom de…

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PCA GA 51 – Summary of 10 Happenings 1:05:03

1M ago1:05:03

1:05:03

Ruling Elder Kevin Miller & Pastor George discuss 10 key happenings at the 51st General Assembly of the PCA which was held in Richmond, VA in June of 2024. Article with Text & Tallies: https://irreverentreverend.org/2024/06/14/pca-ga-51By George & Kevin Miller

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220. Choosing and Developing Effective Special Education Teaching Materials for Learners With Autism [Listener Favorite] 7:32

1M ago7:32

7:32

Creating effective special education teaching materials is more important than you may think, especially for our learners with autism. Students with autism oftentimes focus on details of pictures or learning materials that you may not even notice. Being aware and intentional of the teaching materials you are using is so important in helping them le…

1
219. Getting Started With Challenging Behavior in the Classroom [Listener Favorite] 20:31

1M ago20:31

20:31

In this episode, I'm talking about the basic principles of behavior. These principles may be a review for some, but I think even behavior pros will find at least a kernel that they can use to help their team understand how behavior works (and how it doesn't). Sometimes it's unfathomable to those of us who do this all the time why others in the clas…

1
Geneva Benefits – What Every Session Needs to Know 59:59

2M ago59:59

59:59

RE Chet Lilly, VP of Operations at Geneva Benefits explains what every Session needs to know to support their Pastors through properly structured compensation such as Call Packages, 403B plans, disability insurance, help for pastor's widows, and more.By George Sayour

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218. 3 Data Collection Procedures You Need for Extended School Year Decisions 11:24

2M ago11:24

11:24

When we are considering Extended School Year (ESY) services for our students, collecting and reviewing data is crucial. There are many state and federal regulations about who qualifies for ESY, and data is a key component in determining who needs this additional support and if it's beneficial for the students receiving the services. Whether you hav…

1
217. Preparing Students With ASD for College: Interview With Dr. Marc Ellison From the West Virginia Autism Training Center 29:54

2M ago29:54

29:54

For many of our students, high school graduation is not the end of their educational journey. We certainly have a lot more students who are recognized with autism now who are academically able to go on to secondary education. But how can we begin to help our students prepare for college, and what skills should we focus on? Today, our guest, Dr. Mar…

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Remembering Harry Reeder: The Reeder Center & BTS 1:00:01

2M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Ike Reeder discusses his Dad as well as the newly established Reeder Center for Pastoral Theology and its relationship to Birmingham Theological Seminary. Ike is the President of BTS. You can meet Ike and talk about the opportunities that BTS has to offer at their PCA General Assembly booth.By George Sayour & Ike Reeder

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216. Writing IEP Goals: 5 Things You Need to Ask 17:08

2M ago17:08

17:08

There are many things that we need to think about when writing IEP goals. We need to look at the present level of performance, curriculum goals, and parent input. However, there are other things we should consider when we write IEP goals, regardless of when we write them during the school year. When considering what a student’s goals should be, the…

1
Ruling Elder Gathering at GA & Brotherhood 43:53

2M ago43:53

43:53

Get your tickets now for the MORE event Wednesday night at General Assembly. Ruling Elder's Charly Nave and Rick Hutton discuss the details about the event as well as the benefit of camaraderie and brotherhood among REs. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-more-in-the-pca-ruling-elder-network-shindig-at-the-general-assembly-tickets-887296225897…

1
215. Discovering the Hidden Curriculum Meaning With Dr. Brenda Myles 32:59

2M ago32:59

32:59

There are many unspoken rules and expectations that neurotypical individuals pick up on and learn in their everyday lives. But for some people, understanding these unspoken norms of behavior and social interactions can be difficult. That is why it is incredibly important, especially as special education teachers, that we understand what the hidden …

1
214. Building Solid Teacher Parent Relationships: From the Parent Perspective With Kelley Coleman 58:22

3M ago58:22

58:22

As special education teachers, we know how important it is to have solid teacher-parent relationships. Strong teacher-parent relationships help us best serve our students by creating a collaborative team approach that helps create a supportive environment for the students both at home and at school. But understanding how we as educators can develop…

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What is the PCA Foundation & Why Should We Care? 1:04:04

3M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

RE Tim Townsend, the Director of the PCA Foundation, explains how this Agency of the PCA can help churches manage, deal with, and service complex gifts and giving while saving individual givers on tax liability to maximize gifts to the Church.By George Sayour

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213. The Impact of Students’ Behavior: What Every Paraprofessional (And Professional) Needs to Know (From SEA) 12:21

3M ago12:21

12:21

Behavior is not a one-way street. There is an interconnectedness between student behavior and teacher behavior, which we can sometimes miss. It is so important that we recognize the impact special education teachers and special education paraprofessionals have on student behaviors to avoid any unintentional reinforcement of challenging behaviors. I…

1
212. 3 Ways You Can Address Behavior With a Sensory Function 15:05

3M ago15:05

15:05

When a student’s challenging behavior is a result of a sensory function, knowing how to address it can be difficult. We want to help our students cope with sensory experiences in an effective and safe way so that their needs are met and they are not harming themselves or others. Whether students are looking to escape a situation that is causing the…

1
Christian Ethics & Van Til w/ RE Scott Hatch 1:04:17

3M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

Ruling Elder Scott Hatch discusses his new book entitled "Van Til and the Foundation of Christian Ethics: A God Centered Approach to Moral Philosophy." Most people view Van Til through the lens of presuppositional apologetics and Philosophy, but much of Van Til's career was dedicated to Christian Ethics in very applicable ways to the Church today. …

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211. Are You Asking the Wrong Question About Sensory Seeking Behavior? 18:27

4M ago18:27

18:27

There are many myths about behavior that impact the way we talk about and approach challenging behaviors. Many people look to answer whether a student’s challenging behavior is sensory seeking behavior or intentional behavior but there are several issues with focusing solely on that question when it comes to challenging behavior. As special educato…

1
210. Teaching Appropriate Attention-Seeking & Waiting to Replace Challenging Behaviors 19:17

4M ago19:17

19:17

Attention-seeking behavior is a common challenge in classrooms, and addressing it effectively is crucial for the overall learning environment. One possible reason for this attention-seeking behavior is that some of our students do not yet have the effective communication to gain attention in a more appropriate way. For these students, we need to ex…

1
Dr. Robertson Message to Officers – 3 Kings & 3 Crosses 51:19

4M ago51:19

51:19

Dr. O. Palmer Robertson's sermon to the Pastors and Elders of Catawba Valley Presbytery (in NC) of the PCA.By Dr. O. Palmer Robertson

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209. But We Attend to Them All the Time: Effective Replacement Behaviors for Attention-Seeking 21:14

4M ago21:14

21:14

All attention is not equal. We have likely all worked with students who engage in behavior just to get attention, whether it be positive or negative. Even when students are getting what we feel is a lot of attention, they may still engage in attention-seeking behavior because the attention they receive is on our terms, not theirs. Students often re…

1
208. Strategies for Behavior: When They Can’t Have What They Want 16:13

4M ago16:13

16:13

What do you do when a student asks for something that they cannot have? Oftentimes, when our students request something and they are unable to have it, it can lead to behaviors. There are strategies for behavior we can utilize that can help our students learn that sometimes they cannot have what they ask for. When we are looking at strategies for b…

1
RE Mark Casson of MNA talks Prison, Church Planting, Ministries 51:41

4M ago51:41

51:41

Mark Casson, MNA Ministry Engagement Director discusses his dramatic story of God's Grace in his life, his time in prison, His work with MNA's Metanoia Prison Ministries, and his current role promoting the various ministries of MNA. He also discusses with Pastor George MNA's goal for 1000 new PCA Churches in 10 years and practical ways presbyteries…

1
207. Replacement Behavior Strategies: Defining a Break to Make It Effective 18:08

5M ago18:08

18:08

Asking for a break is a great replacement behavior for students trying to escape a certain situation. However, not all breaks are going to be effective for every student. Truly understanding the function of a student's behavior and what they are trying to escape from is key to understanding what an effective break would be for that student. When lo…

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206. Teaching Replacement Behavior for Escape Behaviors 29:56

5M ago29:56

29:56

Finding replacement behaviors for escape-related behaviors can be a challenge. Oftentimes, when we come across a student struggling with a work, social, or other situation in the classroom and are avoiding it, figuring out how to help them may seem difficult. However, there are some ways we can help students learn replacement behaviors for these si…

1
What Roles Can Religion Play? with Shanon Shah 59:22

5M ago59:22

59:22

In our final episode of Season Two, we’re joined by Dr. Shanon Shah, an advocate whose work is at the intersection of faith, human rights, and climate change. Shanon's multifaceted career includes journalism, theater, and academia in Malaysia before his relocation to London. A practicing Muslim, Shanon is also a scholar in the sociology of religion…

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205. What if Your Student Runs Out of Independent Work Time? 18:32

5M ago18:32

18:32

What happens when we have independent work systems set up for our students, but they aren’t completing them in the allotted independent work time? The whole point of independent work systems is for students to get their work done independently and in a certain amount of time so they can do the thing they want to do. But we all know that that is not…

1
Ruling Elder Repents of Revoice & Side B Support 1:39:39

5M ago1:39:39

1:39:39

Ruling Elder Charles Higham discusses his story with Pastors George Sayour and Ryan Biese on this Cross-Over episode with The Westminster Standard Podcast. RE Higham talks about his journey and recent public denunciation of his support of Revoice & Side B Gay Christianity.By George Sayour

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204. Teaching Students to Work Independently: 5 Ways to Stretch Their Skills 13:25

5M ago13:25

13:25

How do we advance independent work systems once our students know how to complete it on their own? The goal of independent work systems is to help students build independence. In order to help our students learn to work independently, it is crucial that we know how to adjust the work system when necessary to bump up the level of independence needed…

1
Help Send Ruling Elders to GA – MOREinthePCA 29:56

5M ago29:56

29:56

RE Charlie Nave & RE Rick Hutton discuss how YOU can help Ruling Elders attend General Assembly. www.MOREinthePCA.org Scholarships - https://moreinthepca.org/?page_id=28 Support an RE (Give) - https://moreinthepca.org/?page_id=30By George Sayour

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203. 5 Strategies You Need to Know to Teach Students How to Work Independently 17:26

5M ago17:26

17:26

We know the goal of independent work systems is to help students build independence. Both the way these work systems are set up and the strategies we use within them are key to helping our students build independence. It is important that we use effective, evidence-based practices within these independent work systems. When teaching students how to…

1
202. 5 Must Haves for Task Box Activities to Teach Independence 17:21

6M ago17:21

17:21

Task box activities are great for practicing independence and maintaining previously mastered skills. But how can we ensure our task boxes are set up to teach independence effectively? Not all task box activities are created equally - some might be great activities but would not work well in an independent work system. There are 5 key characteristi…

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Mel Duncan talks Church Administration Best Practices 1:18:42

6M ago1:18:42

1:18:42

RE Mel Duncan and Pastor George discuss the challenges, joys, and best practices of being a Church Administrator as well as advice for Churches who don't have the position. Mel Duncan currently serves as the Church Administrator for Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, NC. He is also the Clerk of Calvary Presbytery and the Executive Director f…

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Am I the Right Person? with Margaret Wheatley 1:01:41

6M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

In this thought-provoking episode of the podcast "Am I the Right Person?," Ben engages in deeply insightful conversations with Margaret Wheatley, an icon in organizational leadership, and Debra Rienstra, author of Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonder, and the Healing of the Earth. Wheatley paints a grim picture of the future, cit…

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201. How to Start an Independent Task Box Work System 22:12

6M ago22:12

22:12

Setting up independent task box work systems can seem overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin or are unsure what systems to put in place to make them effective. However, once you have them implemented into your classroom, they can be incredibly beneficial for increasing independent work skills for your students. But how can you get started wi…

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Host Committee Plans, Family Programs & Worship – PCA GA 51 1:06:59

6M ago1:06:59

1:06:59

Rich Leino, Rebecca Fender, and Rick Hutton, all members of the 2024 PCA General Assembly host committee speak with Pastor George about the plans and what to expect in Richmond, VA this June 10-12. RE Rich Leino is Co-Chair of the Host Committee, RE Rick Hutton is the Chair of the Worship sub-committee and Rebecca Fender is the Chair of the sub-com…

1
200. Best of ACR Podcast 19:46

6M ago19:46

19:46

I cannot believe we are 200 episodes into the Autism Classroom Resources podcast. I am so grateful to each and every one of you for tuning in! We have covered so many topics in the first 200 episodes, from challenging behavior to visual schedules to addressing systemic racism in special education. I am so glad that you have been able to gain valuab…

1
PCA Gender Reassignment Statement to President Biden, Federal & State Governments 26:24

6M ago26:24

26:24

An explanation and Reading of the Statement the PCA has sent to President Biden, members of Congress, and the Federal and State Governments regarding Gender Reassignment Surgeries. The Statement can be read here: https://byfaithonline.com/general-assembly-commission-petitions-government-officials-to-protect-children/…

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199. Let's Have the Hard Conversation About Parent Teacher Relationships 17:03

6M ago17:03

17:03

Parent-teacher relationships can be complicated and challenging on both sides. One of the most important things to keep in mind in order to have successful and respectful parent-teacher relationships is that judgment and blame are only going to do more harm than good and will not be beneficial to the student. That is why understanding different per…

1
198. How to Start Building Independent Work Skills (For Students Who Aren’t Independent) 19:39

7M ago19:39

19:39

Independent work systems can be very helpful in helping students learn how to complete a series of tasks on their own, without assistance. However, some of our students may not be ready to work through a fully independent work system right away. We know that not all of our students come to us with independent work skills. So what can we do to help …

1
Elders Encourage Your People to Be in the Word Daily 27:37

7M ago27:37

27:37

Pastor George explains his 2024 Scripture Reading Plan for his Church in the hope that you'll encourage your Church members to be in the Word Daily. https://irreverentreverend.org/2024/01/03/scripture-reading-plan/By George Sayour

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197. What Is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Why You Should Use It 18:51

7M ago18:51

18:51

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) can be incredibly beneficial for helping our students with autism to communicate. Often, the term PECS is misused to talk about using pictures as a form of communication. However, PECS is actually a system that has specific phases that help in expanding the functions of our students' communication. W…

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How Do You Love the World As It Is? with Ray Buckley 43:17

7M ago43:17

43:17

We explore how to navigate love and responsibility in a rapidly changing world, particularly in the face of climate change. We're honored to have Ray Buckley join us for this conversation. Ray is a teacher, storyteller, author, and poet of Lakota, Tlingit, and Scots descent. He brings a unique blend of cultural and spiritual wisdom, particularly th…

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