In this conversation, Larissa and Maria Kolodziej discuss the role of MTSS coaching in middle schools, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, building effective teams, and addressing both academic and behavioral supports. Maria shares her experiences and challenges in implementing MTSS, highlighting the need for empathy and trust in coaching relationships. They also explore the significance of foundational skills for students and the impact of SEL on student success, concluding with a success story that illustrates the positive outcomes of effective MTSS practices.

Resources:

Article: Best Practices at Tier 1 For the Secondary Level

Article: Implementing MTSS at the Secondary Level: Answering 4 Common Questions

MTSS Coaching Toolkit

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Takeaways:

• Effective coaching is essential for successful MTSS implementation.
• Middle school teachers often lack training in intervention strategies.
• Building trust with teachers is crucial for effective coaching.
• SEL lessons are important but need to be supplemented with small group instruction.
• Teachers must understand that students may lack foundational skills.
• Collaboration with administrators is key to scheduling interventions.
• Empathy is vital in coaching relationships with stressed teachers.
• Success in MTSS may take time and requires a long-term vision.
• Teachers need to shift their mindset to focus on student needs over content standards.
• Small wins in MTSS can lead to greater belief in the process.

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