Schoolin' Around

In this conversation, Larissa and Austin Griffith, Senior Product Designer, discuss the use of AI in education and how it is being integrated into the Branching Minds product. They explore various ways AI is currently being used in schools, and touch on the challenges and concerns surrounding AI implementation, including privacy issues and the need for prompt engineering. They highlight the benefits of AI in education, including reducing repetitive tasks, interpreting data, and personalizing learning. They address misconceptions about AI, such as the fear of job replacement and impersonality, emphasizing that AI is a co-pilot and assistant rather than a replacement for human educators. They also discuss the importance of data privacy and the need for thoughtful and useful applications of AI in education.

Resources:

MTSS Meetings Guide & Toolkit

Teacher Workload Webinar

Admin Guide

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• AI is being used in education for various purposes, including essay writing, lesson planning, and content generation.
• Implementing AI in education comes with challenges, such as privacy concerns and the need for prompt engineering.
• AI has the potential to improve efficiency and outcomes in education, but careful consideration and ethical use are necessary. AI has the potential to automate repetitive tasks, interpret data, and personalize learning in education.
• AI is a co-pilot and assistant, not a replacement for human educators.
• Data privacy is a crucial consideration when using AI in education.
• Thoughtful and useful applications of AI can lighten the cognitive load of educators and improve student outcomes.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

In this Ask an Expert episode, Larissa asks Dr. Essie Sutton, Director of Learning Science and Trudy Bender, Senior Manager of Thought Leadership, about the benefits of universal screening for social and emotional needs in schools. The conversation highlights the importance of addressing the social and emotional needs of all students, including those who may fly under the radar. These experts provide recommendations for schools overwhelmed by the number of students needing support, including focusing on tier one interventions, seeking community partnerships, and implementing structured recess programs.

Resources:

Guide for Universal Screening for SEL & Behavior

Common Questions for MTSS & SEL

Tier 2 Behavior Guide

Nurturing a Sense of Belonging in Schools Webinar

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• Universal screening allows schools to assess the social and emotional needs of all students, providing a more systematic and unbiased approach compared to teacher referrals.
• Transparency and clear communication with parents about the purpose and use of screening data are crucial for building trust and engagement.
• Addressing the social and emotional needs of all students, including those who may fly under the radar, is essential for creating a safe and supportive learning environment.
• When overwhelmed by the number of students needing support, schools can focus on tier one interventions, seek community partnerships, and implement structured recess programs.
• Conducting screening multiple times throughout the year allows schools to track progress, identify patterns, and inform targeted interventions.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

In this episode, Larissa interviews Christie Creele, the assistant director of MTSS at Garland Independent School District in Texas. They discuss how to set up the school year for successful MTSS implementation. Christie shares insights on creating buy-in, addressing assumptions, and supporting the whole child. She emphasizes the importance of team collaboration, involving all stakeholders, and providing training and support. Christie also talks about the challenges and stages of MTSS implementation and offers practical tips for the first few weeks of school.

Resources:

Beginning of Year MTSS Gameplan Ebook

Beginning of Year MTSS Gameplan Webinar

MTSS Meetings Guide & Toolkit

MTSS From Buy-in to Implementation Article

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• Setting up the school year for successful MTSS implementation requires creating buy-in and addressing assumptions.
• Team collaboration and involving all stakeholders are crucial for effective MTSS implementation.
• Providing training and support, as well as clear communication and consistent meetings, are essential for building a robust MTSS system.
• MTSS implementation is an ongoing process that takes time and requires continuous improvement.
• Supporting the whole child and focusing on what's best for students should be the driving force behind MTSS implementation.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

In this episode, Larissa discusses the importance of attendance in schools and how schools can use a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) to address attendance issues. The conversation also highlights concrete examples of attendance interventions, such as mentorship programs, family engagement initiatives, incentive programs, and promoting school connectedness. The episode concludes by recommending additional resources for further exploration of the topic.

Resources:

MTSS and Attendance Article

A Guide to Finding and Using Evidence-Based MTSS Interventions

Attendance Works

Podcast Episode: What Can We Do About Attendance?

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Takeaways:

• Attendance is crucial for student success, and schools can use a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) to address attendance issues.
• MTSS involves tracking and supporting student attendance through data analysis and early intervention.
• Concrete examples of attendance interventions include mentorship programs, family engagement initiatives, incentive programs, and promoting school connectedness.
• Additional resources, such as Attendance Works and NASP, provide research and strategies for improving student attendance.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

In this conversation, Larissa interviews Jorge Valenzuela, an educator, coach, speaker, and author, about his journey in the education innovation space. They discuss the importance of collaboration and openness to change in ensuring that all students have the support they need. The conversation explores the concept of instructional innovation and its importance in education. The importance of building a culture of collaboration and the role of shared agreements in fostering innovation are discussed. The need for personalized feedback and the five essential elements of core instruction are also emphasized.

Resources:

Jorge Valenzuela's Website

Books by Jorge

Jorge's Podcast

Teacher Collaboration Article

Tier 1 Core Instruction Article

Core Instruction Guide

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• Collaboration and openness to change are essential in providing support for all students in education.
• Being a transformational leader involves having the knowledge and skills to improve in one's craft and helping others do the same.
• Professional development should be led by educators who have firsthand experience with the tools and strategies they teach.
• Innovation in education requires a willingness to take risks and embrace new ideas.
• Action research is an underutilized method for refining teaching practices.
• Building a culture of collaboration and establishing shared agreements are crucial for fostering innovation.
• Personalized feedback and the five essential elements of core instruction are key to supporting teachers.
• Instructional innovation is an ongoing iterative process that requires support and resources from administrators.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

In this conversation, Larissa interviews Latresha Wilson, the principal of Tuckaseegee Elementary School in North Carolina, about the school's success in improving kindergarten through third-grade students' reading scores. Latresha shares that the school prioritized early literacy and implemented strategies such as data-driven instruction, independent practice, small group instruction, and academic monitoring. The conversation highlights the importance of high expectations, building relationships, and setting goals for student success.

Resources:

Early Literacy Webinar

Early Literacy and Branching Minds Article

MTSS and Science of Reading Article

Learn more about how Branching Minds can help your early literacy work:Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• Early literacy is foundational for student success throughout their educational journey.
• Prioritizing early literacy and implementing effective strategies can lead to significant improvements in reading scores.
• A coaching model with individualized support for teachers can help them pivot and improve their instructional practices.
• Creating a positive and supportive school community based on core values can foster a love of learning and student success.
• Setting high expectations and goals for students can motivate them to achieve and exceed their potential.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

Description:

In this episode , the guests discuss the importance of restorative practices in creating a safe and supportive school environment. They explore the concept of a restorative ecosystem, which involves building relationships and addressing the needs of all stakeholders in the school community. The conversation also touches on the role of school-based law enforcement and the Texas School Safety Center in promoting restorative practices. The hosts emphasize the need for an MTSS and the integration of restorative practices at all levels. They discuss how restorative practices can help interrupt the pathway to violence and prevent hopelessness among students. Practical tips for implementing restorative practices are also provided.

Resources:

Restorative Practices Blog

Nurturing a Sense of Belonging in Schools Webinar

Tier 2 Behavior Guide

Tier 3 Behavior Guide

Request a consultation

Texas School Safety Center

Life Anew Restorative Justice

Takeaways:

• Restorative practices are essential for creating a safe and supportive school environment.
• A restorative ecosystem involves building relationships and addressing the needs of all stakeholders in the school community.
• School-based law enforcement and the Texas School Safety Center play a crucial role in promoting restorative practices.
• Restorative practices can help interrupt the pathway to violence and prevent hopelessness among students.
• Consequences are important, but restorative practices should not be seen as a replacement for good classroom management and behavior intervention programs.
• Restorative practices provide real-world social skills training and help build empathy among students.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

In this episode, Trudy Bender and Angela Watson discuss the challenges of teacher workload and burnout. They explore the contributing factors to teacher frustration and provide practical ideas for managing educator workload. They emphasize the importance of protecting teachers' planning time and creating a culture that values their time and supports their needs. They also discuss the role of technology, particularly AI, in streamlining tasks and reducing workload. The episode highlights the 40-Hour Teacher Work Week program, which offers courses for teachers, instructional coaches, and leaders to help them manage their workload and find sustainable ways to thrive in their roles.

Resources:

Angela Watson's 40-Hour Teacher Workweek

Guide: Admin Guide

Webinar Deprivatizing The Classroom

Podcast Episode: EdHotTake - Is The New Teacher Retention Tool "Stay Interviews?"

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• Protecting teachers' planning time is crucial for reducing workload and improving teacher well-being.
• Creating a culture that values teachers' time and supports their needs is essential.
• Being proactive and having a plan can help streamline processes and reduce unnecessary meetings and tasks.
• Technology, such as AI, can be used to automate mundane tasks and save time.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

In this episode, Larissa discusses the importance of family involvement in schools and how it can lead to MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) success. She provides five practical tips for enhancing family involvement, including fostering personal relationships, introducing the MTSS framework positively, establishing clear communication protocols, tracking and sharing communication efforts, and empowering students and families through student-led conferences. Larissa emphasizes the impact of increased family engagement on student attendance, engagement, and overall success.

Resources:

MTSS & Families Toolkit

MTSS & Families Article

MTSS & Families Guide

Interested in learning more about Branching Minds:

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• Family collaboration and communication are important aspects of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS).
• Fostering personal relationships with families can lead to better understanding and support for students.
• Introducing the MTSS framework positively can build trust and openness with families.
• Establishing clear communication protocols helps keep everyone on the same page and prevents misunderstandings.
• Tracking and sharing communication efforts ensures collaboration and avoids overwhelming parents.
• Empowering students and families through student-led conferences promotes student ownership of learning.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!

In this conversation, Larissa and Erica Ilcyn, former middle school special ed teacher, discuss the concept of a feedback hole and how it impacts student engagement.  The conversation touches on topics such as the role of emotional safety, the impact of standardized tests, and the importance of modeling resilience and growth mindset as a teacher. The conversation explores the importance of listening to student feedback and the impact it can have on student engagement and learning. The hosts discuss the need for teachers and leaders to actively seek and value student input, and to take action based on that feedback.

Resources:

"Feedback Hole" Article

Student Feedback Article

Student Surveys

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• Creating a safe and supportive learning environment is crucial for student engagement.
• Students need to feel heard, valued, and seen in the classroom.
• Immediate feedback is important for student learning and growth.
• Emotional safety plays a key role in student engagement.
• Modeling resilience and a growth mindset as a teacher can positively impact student engagement. Listening to student feedback and taking action based on that feedback is crucial for student engagement and learning.
• Specific and timely feedback is powerful in supporting student growth and building trust.
• Leaders should actively seek and value feedback from both students and teachers, and take action based on that feedback.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

Send feedback or inquiries to [email protected]!