Schoolin' Around

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

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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: Administrators Guide to Supporting Teachers

Webinar Deprivatizing The Classroom

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

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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]!

In this episode of the School and Around podcast, Trudy Bender, school pyschologist and Chris Causebrook, District MTSS Specialist, discuss Tier 3  behavior planning in schools. They emphasize the importance of district and campus teams, universal screening for behavior, designated staff and space, and professional development. They also highlight the need for a standard treatment protocol, intervention content designed for schools, and wraparound and mental health support. The episode provides practical tips and resources for implementing tier three behavior intervention in schools.

Resources:

Check out all the resources mentioned in the episode here: Tier 3 Behavior Planning Webinar for Leaders

Other helpful resources:

Behavior Planning Template

Part 1 Tier 3 Behavior Webinar

Part 2 Tier 3 Behavior Webinar

Tier 2 Behavior Guide

Tier 3 Behavior Guide

Learn more about how Branching Minds can help: Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• District and campus teams are crucial for implementing tier three behavior intervention in schools.
• Universal screening for behavior helps identify students who need support.
• Designated staff and space are necessary to provide intensive intervention for tier three behavior.
• Professional development is essential for building the skills and knowledge of staff members.
• A standard treatment protocol and intervention content designed for schools are important for effective behavior intervention.
• Wraparound and mental health support can greatly benefit students with tier three behavior needs.

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 Napolitan interviews Catherine Cueva, the director of MTSS for the Hempstead Union Free School District in Long Island, New York. They discuss the role of a director of MTSS and the importance of holistic support for all students. Catherine shares her journey with MTSS and emphasizes the need for understanding systems and implementation science.

Resources:

4 Tips for Leading MTSS Article

Capacity Building for MTSS Article

Ultimate MTSS Guide

Mindset Is A Resource Webinar

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• The role of a director of MTSS is to ensure that systems and processes are in place to support all students.
• Understanding systems and implementation science is crucial for the effective implementation of MTSS.
• MTSS is a holistic approach that supports students academically, behaviorally, and emotionally.
• Providing support and resources for teachers is essential for the successful implementation of MTSS.
• Continuous reflection and improvement are necessary for effective implementation of MTSS.

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 Shannon Thornton from Warrensville, Ohio, about the implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in their district. Shannon emphasizes the importance of teacher buy-in and the need for ongoing education and training on MTSS. She also discusses the development of an MTSS handbook to provide a centralized resource for teachers and administrators. In this conversation, Shannon Thornton, a district administrator, discusses the implementation of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) in her district. She emphasizes the importance of revisiting and updating the MTSS handbook regularly to ensure clarity and address teachers' questions.

Resources:

MTSS Buy-in and Mobilization Guide

Webinar: Buy-In (in MTSS) is Like Sunscreen

MTSS From Buy-in to Implementation Article

Request a consultation

Takeaways:

• Implementing MTSS is a complex task that requires investment in intervention teachers and programs.
• Teacher buy-in is crucial for successful implementation of MTSS.
• Ongoing education and training on MTSS is necessary to ensure understanding and implementation fidelity.
• Implementing MTSS at the secondary level presents unique challenges, including the need for specialized teachers.
• A centralized resource, such as an MTSS handbook, can support teachers and administrators in implementing MTSS effectively. Regularly revisiting and updating the MTSS handbook is crucial for clarity and addressing teachers' questions
• One-on-one meetings with teachers can help identify and address students who are not making adequate progress
• Implementing MTSS can lead to growth and improved outcomes for 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 conversation, Larissa and her guest, Dr. Michael Nagler, discuss the development of the Synergy program, an alternative high school program that offers a different approach to education. The program aims to give students more autonomy and flexibility in their learning, allowing them to pursue their interests and passions. Dr. Nagler emphasizes the importance of helping students understand themselves and what makes them tick, as well as providing opportunities for them to explore different subjects and career paths.

Resources:

The Design Thinking Book by Dr. Nagler

Twitter: @NaglersNotions

MTSS in Alternative Settings Article

The Superintendent’s Guide to MTSS and District Strategic Planning

Takeaways:

• Helping students understand themselves and what they're interested in is crucial for their educational journey.
• Providing opportunities for students to explore different subjects and career paths can help them discover their passions.
• Schools need to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of students and the world they will graduate into.
• Leaders should embrace a mindset of evolution, not revolution, and be open to feedback and making adjustments to their programs.
• Finding a balance between compliance and giving students the freedom to pursue their interests is key.

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]!