Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost-forwarded--6630377/support.
Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.
Want to keep the conversation going?
- Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
- Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
- Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.
- Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:18 Now here's your host, Adam Bush. Good morning, school leaders,
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 and welcome to Your Morning Boost. Happy Monday.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 Hope you're all set for a fantastic day.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:27 This morning, we're diving into a critical aspect of school-wide support,
00:00:27 --> 00:00:32 and that is how to effectively integrate dedicated MTSS time for Tier 2 interventions.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:36 We're going to talk about how to put this directly into your building schedule
00:00:36 --> 00:00:39 and explore practical ways to make this happen. We are going to ensure that
00:00:39 --> 00:00:44 every student gets the support they need without sacrificing valuable instructional time.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:49 So get ready for some actionable strategies to enhance your multi-tiered system of support.
00:00:53 --> 00:00:58 Now, let's get into the heart of creating that dedicated MTSS time within your
00:00:58 --> 00:00:59 school's existing schedule.
00:00:59 --> 00:01:02 You can begin by thoroughly examining your current master schedule,
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 looking for existing blocks of time that could be repurposed or adjusted.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:11 This might include advisory periods, homeroom, or even portions of extended lunch breaks.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:17 The goal isn't to add more time, but to optimize the time you already have.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 Consider implementing a flex schedule.
00:01:19 --> 00:01:23 This could involve rotating intervention blocks on different days or creating
00:01:23 --> 00:01:27 a specific intervention period where students receive targeted support while
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 others engage in enrichment activities.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:35 For example, imagine a scenario where Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:39 Are designated for Tier 2 interventions across the school.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:44 During this time, students identified for specific support would go to designated
00:01:44 --> 00:01:48 intervention groups, while other students might participate in project-based
00:01:48 --> 00:01:49 learning or independent reading.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:54 This structured flexibility ensures consistent intervention time.
00:01:54 --> 00:01:58 Furthermore, you could collaborate with your grade level or subject area teams
00:01:58 --> 00:02:02 to identify the best times for intervention within their daily or weekly routines,
00:02:02 --> 00:02:06 as they are on the front lines and often have the most insightful ideas on how
00:02:06 --> 00:02:11 to weave in these crucial support sessions seamlessly. Remember the words of former U.S.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:16 Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who once stated, Education is the most powerful
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 weapon which you can use to change the world.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:23 Providing targeted interventions is a key part of empowering students to achieve that change.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 Also, be sure to utilize paraprofessionals and support staff,
00:02:27 --> 00:02:31 maximizing their skills by training them to deliver specific Tier 2 interventions,
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 thereby freeing up classroom teachers
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 for other essential tasks or to lead different intervention groups.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:43 Finally, once you've established some dedicated MTSS time, prioritize and protect it fiercely.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 Avoid scheduling other meetings or activities during these blocks.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:50 Communicate the importance of this time to all staff, students,
00:02:50 --> 00:02:54 and parents, and emphasize its direct impact on student success.
00:02:54 --> 00:02:57 Just think about it like a principal I'm sure we've heard about who literally
00:02:57 --> 00:03:01 posted a no-interruption sign on her office door during the daily 30-minute
00:03:01 --> 00:03:06 intervention block, signaling the critical importance of that focused support time.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:15 Okay, to recap, incorporating dedicated MTSS time for Tier 2 interventions involves
00:03:15 --> 00:03:16 a careful audit of your schedule.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 You need to explore some flexible models and foster collaboration within your teams.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:24 Leverage your support staff and, most importantly, protect that valuable time.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:28 It's about being intentional and strategic in providing the targeted support
00:03:28 --> 00:03:31 that can truly make a difference in a student's academic journey.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:36 Remember, every minute dedicated to an intervention is an investment in a student's future.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:39 One school leader shared a story with me about a student who was struggling
00:03:39 --> 00:03:43 with reading, and after implementing a consistent 20-minute daily Tier 2 intervention,
00:03:44 --> 00:03:47 that student's reading level improved by two grades within a semester.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 This transformation not only boosted the student's academic performance,
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 but also their confidence and engagement in school.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:56 Stories like that are common amongst a strong MTSS system.
00:03:56 --> 00:04:00 Thank you for listening. Have a wonderful Monday, and we will talk with you again tomorrow.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:05 You have been listening to Your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership
00:04:05 --> 00:04:06 with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:11 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:20 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.