Tier 1 Interventions

Why do students earn A’s in math… yet still struggle to pass state tests?
 In today’s episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic uncover the hidden truth behind traditional grading: grades measure compliance—NOT mastery.

You’ll learn why “good students” often carry the deepest learning gaps, how traditional grading systems mislead parents and teachers, and what REAL mastery looks like inside a math classroom.

✔ Why A’s don’t equal mastery
 ✔ Why compliant students still have conceptual gaps
 ✔ How nonlinear instruction strengthens the math brain
 ✔ Why multitasking is a myth (and what switch-tasking really is)
 ✔ How to redesign math learning around true understanding
 ✔ The 3 visual anchors that transform math thinking: Lockers, Rectangles & Pizzas

If you’re a teacher, homeschool parent, interventionist, or administrator who wants students to actually understand math—not just earn grades—this episode is essential.

 Drop your favorite math jingles in the comments.

👉 Want to experience the full workshop?
 You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.

https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome + Why This Episode Matters

00:37 – Nonlinear Teaching & The 12 Song Story

01:33 – Why Traditional Learning Fails Many Students

02:27 – Multitasking vs. Switch-Tasking

03:58 – Nonlinear Thinking in Math Instruction

05:53 – When “Good” Students Struggle Most

06:45 – The Parent Question That Exposed the Problem

08:12 – Straight A’s but Failing State Tests

09:40 – Why Grades Don’t Measure Mastery

11:00 – Teachers Sound Off on Grading Scales

12:30 – Compliance vs. Understanding

13:18 – Why We Need Mastery-Based Grading

14:05 – Humor, Memory & Celine Dion

15:10 – Type A vs. Type Z Teachers

16:40 – What Needs to Change in Math Education

17:00 – Closing + Next Week’s Teaser

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

Students aren’t zoning out because they’re bored — they’re zoning out because their brains literally can’t do what we’re asking them to do.

In this episode, Cheri Dotterer, MS, OTR, and math leader Jonily break down the neuroscience behind attention, dopamine, novelty, and why every classroom hits the same predictable “zoning-out moment.”

You’ll learn:

• Why students can only focus for their age in minutes
• The 7-second dopamine cycle that sabotages attention
• Why novelty (singing, movement, humor) instantly resets the brain
• Why music activates learning before visual or auditory channels
• Why rectangles are the single most powerful structure in math
• How interleaving and iteration outperform linear teaching
• How skip-counting by 12s rewires numerical fluency
• Why U.S. math scores suffer — and how to fix it tomorrow

If you’ve ever asked, “Why do my students suddenly check out?” — this episode is the answer.
 Drop your favorite math jingles in the comments.

👉 Want to experience the full workshop?
 You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.

https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 — Welcome to Tier One Interventions

00:22 — Why focus equals age in minutes

01:05 — The 7-second dopamine attention loop

01:40 — Students WANT to focus but their brains can’t

02:10 — Novelty triggers that instantly reset attention

03:25 — Why music activates learning before anything else

03:54 — Math jingles that rewire memory

04:28 — Why skip-counting by 12s accelerates mastery

05:08 — Rectangles: the most powerful structure in math

05:45 — Whisper counting + dot arrays for deep understanding

06:30 — The “loud number” mistake and why it’s productive

07:30 — Iteration vs. repetition: the real difference

08:18 — Interleaving: the brain’s preferred learning method

09:05 — Jumping from 2 twelves to 12 twelves (nonlinear learning)

10:05 — Why U.S. math scores are failing

11:30 — The winning formula: structure + novelty + repetition

12:05 — Wrap-up and $47 workshop invitation

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

If you’ve ever wondered why your students still don’t “get” math—even with all the new textbooks, intervention programs, small groups, apps, and training—this episode will change everything.

In today’s conversation, Cheri and Jonily pull back the curtain on the brutal truth:

👉 The problem isn’t your students.
 The problem isn’t you.
 The problem is the system.

Math scores across the U.S. have crashed to historic lows. Tier 2 and Tier 3 groups are overflowing. Teachers are exhausted. Kids are frustrated. And the curriculum you were handed is not built to fix any of it.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
🔸 The REAL reason your math curriculum keeps failing
 🔸 Why “teaching harder” never moves the needle
 🔸 How mental load, attention spans, and dopamine shape learning
 🔸 Why rhythm, novelty, and movement unlock mathematical thinking
 🔸 How lockers, rectangles, and pizzas explain EVERYTHING about math success
 🔸 The shocking data from real classrooms (54% → 84%, 27% → 60%, and more)
 🔸 Why 3rd graders can learn so much more than we think
 🔸 What schools must change NOW to reverse the decline

This isn’t another “curriculum review.”
 This is the root cause of the math crisis in America—and the brain-based pathway out of it.

If you’ve ever sat in your classroom thinking,
 “Why aren’t they getting it? What am I missing?”
 …this episode will finally give you the answer.

👉 Want to experience the full workshop?
 You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.
https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Tier One Interventions Podcast

00:28 – Why today’s session starts at a higher math level

01:00 – Why Tier 1—not Tier 3—is the real issue

02:00 – The rising crisis of U.S. math scores

03:10 – Why kids “don’t get math” (and it’s not aptitude)

04:05 – Why Tier 2 and Tier 3 are overloaded

05:00 – What Tier One Interventions actually solve

06:20 – Evidence from real classrooms: 54% → 84%, 27% → 60%, and more

07:45 – Second graders eliminating all “red/yellow” scores in 6 weeks

09:15 – Why this workshop series matters

10:05 – Connecting Mastery Math Method to today’s episode

11:00 – Lockers, Rectangles, Pizzas… and why it works

11:30 – Using music and rhythm to re-trigger attention

12:20 – The neuroscience of rhythm-based learning

13:00 – Crossing midline, movement, rhythm, and subconscious learning

14:10 – How 14-year-olds signal when their brains need novelty

15:00 – Lighting, environmental shifts, and novelty triggers

16:00 – The attention-span research that guides your timing

16:55 – Episode wrap-up + teaser for next week

17:10 – CTA: Experience one workshop for $47

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

What if your students begged to keep doing math?

 In this Level 2 session of the Mastery Math Method, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic show you how to break free from the textbook and make math feel like a game again.

You’ll see how:

• A simple Locker Problem can teach double-digit multiplication
• Reference tasks connect creativity to fourth-grade standards
• Interleaving and spaced practice help every student retain what they learn
• And why giving yourself permission to ditch the worksheet changes everything

🎓 Join the next Mastery Math Method Masterclass → disabilitylabs.com/calendar

✨ Takeaway: Learning isn’t about control — it’s about connection, curiosity, and courage to make a mess before mastery.

💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Welcome – Level 2 Mastery Math Method

00:40 From Locker Problem to Double-Digit Multiplication

01:35 Why Reference Tasks Change Everything

03:10 Skip-Counting → Multiplying → Connecting Standards

04:20 Interleaving and Spaced Practice in Real Classrooms

06:05 Teacher Reactions – Level Up Mindset

07:10 Students Love Thinking Math

08:15 From Overwhelmed to Empowered

09:00 How to Join the Mastery Math Masterclass

11:00 Closing – For Such a Time as This

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

Math is messy — and that’s precisely how mastery begins.

In this Tier 1 Interventions episode, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic challenge the myth that math (and writing) should be neat, orderly, and always “on the line.” From the Locker Problem to real-world classroom stories, they model how productive chaos and productive struggle help students think critically, notice patterns, and build an accurate understanding of numbers.

🧠 Inside this episode:
 • Why “messy math” is essential for deep learning
 • How to turn student drafts into tools for reflection
 • The OT perspective on movement and memory
 • The three types of bilateral integration and how they re-engage the brain
 • What “You can’t rush math art” really means for teachers

✨ Takeaway: Learning isn’t about control — it’s about connection, curiosity, and courage to make a mess before mastery.

💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Tier 1 Interventions

00:40 – What Makes Mastery Math Different

01:15 – Why Math Must Be Messy

02:30 – The Type-A Teacher Trap

03:45 – Draft-1 Thinking: Messy Before Mastery

05:20 – Framing the Chaos: Learning From Mistakes

07:00 – What Do You Notice? Pattern Spotting in Action

09:30 – The OT’s Secret: Move to Remember

11:50 – Three Types of Bilateral Integration Explained

13:40 – When Planning Gets in the Way of Learning

15:10 – The Locker 11 Revelation

17:15 – “If I Say It, They Hear It — If They Say It, They Learn It”

19:20 – Turning Observation Into Ownership

21:00 – The 12 Song: Rhythm Meets Math Fluency

23:40 – “You Can’t Rush Math Art” — Lessons From Toy Story

25:30 – When Students Finally See the Pattern

26:30 – Wrap-Up: Messy Learning Creates Mastery

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

What if your math lessons felt more like a story than a worksheet?
 In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic reveal how to teach math like a play — using the power of storytelling to captivate every student.

Discover how the Three-Act Math Story (Act 1 Hook • Act 2 Story • Act 3 Offer) transforms problem-solving into curiosity-driven learning. You’ll hear how teachers spark engagement with focus triggers like “Tell me about…” and nonverbal cues such as spirit fingers and jazz hands — all while keeping math meaningful, memorable, and fun.

🎭 Because when math class has a plot, every student becomes part of the story.

💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Tier 1 Interventions  

00:38 Why Students Stop Thinking  

02:06 The Three-Act Math Play  

03:56 The Natalie Strategy: Get Every Student Talking  

06:25 Leveling the Playing Field  

08:05 Every Kid Has an Entry Point  

10:18 Teach Like a Champion in Math Class  

13:05 Hook • Story • Offer for Teachers  

14:56 Spirit Fingers vs Jazz Hands 😂  

19:56 Tangents That Teach  

21:24 Preview: Double-Digit Multiplication  

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri

#MathEducation #TeacherLife #MasteryMath #Dysgraphia #Tier1Interventions #MathCoaching #Storytellinginmath

In this live Tier 1 Interventions session, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic take you inside a Level 2 Mastery Math Method class as they explore the classic Locker Problem — one of the “Dirty Dozen” reference tasks students revisit year after year.

Jonily demonstrates how these timeless math tasks deepen logic, number sense, and symbolic understanding, while Cheri highlights how process time and conceptual exposure create space for authentic learning.

Discover why exposure before mastery can transform math instruction, how to nurture student vulnerability, and what happens when teachers stop rushing to confirm or deny answers.

🎧 Perfect for math educators, OTs, and interventionists ready to “uplevel” their practice and create classrooms where curiosity thrives.

💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome with Cheri & Jonily

01:00 – Level 2: Connecting the Dirty Dozen math tasks

03:00 – The Locker Problem explained

04:30 – Exposure vs. Mastery in learning

06:00 – Four categories of mathematical thinking (Number • Symbol • Shape • Logic)

07:30 – Moving from acting out to symbolic notation

11:00 – “What do you see? What do you notice?” discussion prompts

14:00 – Teaching through the crickets: embracing silence and vulnerability

16:00 – Building soft skills through math experiences

17:30 – Why students need more process time

18:30 – The sitcom trap of math instruction

19:30 – Letting the brain linger: the power of unconfirmed questions

20:30 – Reclaiming curiosity and authentic learning

21:00 – Next episode teaser: Pixar and the Power of Story in Math

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri

#MathEducation #TeacherLife #MasteryMath #Dysgraphia #Tier1Interventions #MathCoaching

In this passionate and powerful episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic are joined by fellow educators Kirk, Teresa, Kathy, and Natalie for a live conversation on the deeper mission behind math education. This isn't just about teaching content—it's about the moral responsibility to teach it well.

🔥 Hear real stories from teachers and tutors on the frontlines of a broken system, and discover why teaching math the way we were taught just doesn’t cut it anymore.

🎯 Whether you're a new teacher, a math coach, a university instructor, or thinking about leaving the public system to start your own business, this episode will challenge and equip you to rethink math instruction from the inside out.

🧠 BONUS: Stay to the end for a sneak peek into next week’s topic—how storytelling is transforming math from abstract confusion into emotional connection.

💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.

#MathEducation #TeacherLife #MoralObligation #MasteryMath #Dysgraphia #Tier1Interventions #MathCoaching

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome from Cheri & Jonily: Level 2 Warning!

01:00 – Wait Time as a Teaching Strategy

02:45 – Why Toxic Negativity Doesn't Fix Broken Systems

04:00 – Kirk: Why I Left Public School (and What I See Now)

05:50 – Is There a Market for Better Math Teaching?

06:40 – Classroom Strength = Less Tutoring? Yes Please.

07:30 – Teresa: Math Tutors Need Better Training Too

08:30 – Cheri: Join the Mastery Math Method Masterclass!

09:00 – Jonily’s Origin Story: Realizing Her Best Teaching Wasn’t Enough

10:00 – Kathy: How Future Teachers Get Schooled Out of Hope

11:30 – Why Tutors Repeating the Same Lesson Doesn’t Work

12:15 – Natalie: Bright Shiny Teachers—and How We Lose Them

13:00 – Cedric: What’s Next – Storytelling and Math

13:20 – Final Blessing: Go Be Brilliant, You Were Made for This

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri

In this powerful Level 2 episode of the Mastery Math Method series, math specialist Jonily Zupancic takes us deeper into the strategy of reordering math instruction for maximum impact. She challenges conventional wisdom by declaring that division is not just a late skill, but essential, even for little ones and strugglers.

You’ll learn how division-based instruction—centered on sharing, questioning, and visual grouping—can accelerate mastery of all operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication), reduce instructional time, and increase student memory through her CES framework: Culture, Essentials, and Seasons.

🎯 Whether you're an OT, a special ed teacher, or a curriculum leader—this paradigm shift will change how you see math forever.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome from Cheri & Introduction to Level 2

00:20 – Jonily's Disclaimer: This is a Level 2 Episode

01:30 – Who Should Care About Tier 1 Instruction

02:50 – The Mindset Shift: Teach for Behavior Change

03:15 – CES Framework: Culture, Essentials, Seasons

03:45 – Can We Start with Division? (Answer: Yes)

04:50 – Why Division Is More Essential Than Addition

05:50 – Mastery Math Method Masterclass Invitation

06:20 – Using Division to Teach All Operations

06:50 – You Don’t Pick the Essentials—Here’s Why

07:30 – Toddlers Understand Division (Sharing & Questions)

08:10 – How Traditional Schooling Kills Questioning

08:40 – Seasons Framework: Spaced Repetition for Retention

09:20 – Season 1: First 15 Days = Full Curriculum Exposure

09:50 – Seasons 2 and 3: Uplevel & January “Math in a Month”

10:40 – Why Most Students Can Master by January

11:15 – Littles? Adapt the Instruction, Don’t Replicate

11:45 – Sneak Peek: The Locker Problem is Coming Next

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri

Why do we start math with addition when kids naturally understand sharing first?

In this Level 2 Mastery Math Method training, Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer challenge the traditional math sequence by flipping the script: Start with Division.

This episode dives into:

• Why equal sharing is neurologically intuitive for students—even toddlers
• How starting with division unlocks deeper understanding in addition, subtraction, and multiplication
• Why special education teachers and general ed teachers alike need to rethink Tier 1 math instruction
• What it means to “uplevel” your math teaching, even if you feel behind

  
  

This session was recorded LIVE with our Mastery Math Method teachers—so you’ll hear real-time reactions, questions, and inspiration from fellow educators walking the same journey.

🎯 Whether you're an OT, a special ed teacher, or a curriculum leader—this paradigm shift will change how you see math forever.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Level 2 Mastery Math Method

01:00 – Why This Episode is “Level 2” (and why that matters)

02:15 – Who Should Listen: Teachers, OTs, Admins, Parents

03:30 – Start with Division, Not Addition?!

05:00 – How Toddlers Understand Division Naturally

06:30 – The Math Paradigm Shift You Didn’t Expect

08:00 – Beth’s Aha Moment + The Power of Interleaving

09:30 – Why We Need to Break Out of Our Bubbles

11:00 – Emotional Blocks in Math & Using Brain Gym

12:00 – What Level 2 Is (and What It’s Not)

13:30 – Why Learning Out of Order is OK

14:30 – Thank You, Amy Garrison (The Primary Partner in Math Innovation)

15:15 – Closing Reflection: Division as a Foundation

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

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🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri