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Schoolin' Around
Schoolin' Around is a weekly podcast hosted by Branching Minds, featuring prominent leaders, subject-matter experts, and thought innovators with their perspectives on the current challenges facing K-12 education.
You can find more info about Branching Minds at our website, branchingminds.com or follow on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
All Episodes
How to Begin the School Year with MTSS
<p>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.</p> <p><strong>Resources:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/beginning-of-year-mtss-gameplan-ebook" rel="nofollow">Beginning of Year MTSS Gameplan Ebook</a> </p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/beginning-of-year-mtss-gameplan-webinar" rel="nofollow">Beginning of Year MTSS Gameplan Webinar</a> </p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/mtss-meetings-guide-toolkit" rel="nofollow">MTSS Meetings Guide & Toolkit</a> </p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/buy-in-article" rel="nofollow">MTSS From Buy-in to Implementation Article</a> </p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/brm-consultation" rel="nofollow">Request a consultation</a> </p> <p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Setting up the school year for successful MTSS implementation requires creating buy-in and addressing assumptions.</li> <li>Team collaboration and involving all stakeholders are crucial for effective MTSS implementation.</li> <li>Providing training and support, as well as clear communication and consistent meetings, are essential for building a robust MTSS system.</li> <li>MTSS implementation is an ongoing process that takes time and requires continuous improvement.</li> <li>Supporting the whole child and focusing on what's best for students should be the driving force behind MTSS implementation.</li> </ul> <br> <p>Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/branchingminds" rel="nofollow">Branching Minds Website</a>, or sign up for our weekly <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/newsletter" rel="nofollow">Newsletter</a> on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. </p> <p>Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com! </p>
The Surprising Impact of Check-In, Check-Out for High School Students
<p>In this episode, Kristyn Jones and Heather Terry from Norris High School in Nebraska, explore how their implementation of a check-in, check-out intervention is fostering more proactive and relational support systems for students with behavioral needs. They share practical insights, data strategies, and team collaboration tips that can help other schools build effective Tier 2 behavior interventions.</p> <p><strong>Resources:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/cico-beyond" rel="nofollow">Webinar: Check In Check Out and Beyond: Tier 2 Behavior Interventions That Build Relationships and Foster School Connectedness</a></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/tier-2-behavior-guide" rel="nofollow">Tier 2 Behavior Guide</a></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/mtss-in-secondary" rel="nofollow">MTSS in Secondary Schools</a></p> <p><u><a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/designing-menu-behavior-intervention-beyond-check-in-check-out" rel="nofollow">Designing a Menu of Behavior Intervention Options: Beyond Check-In Check-Out </a></u></p> <p><a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/2026-mtss-mini-summit" rel="nofollow">MTSS Mini Summit 2026</a></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/brm-consultation" rel="nofollow">Request a consultation</a></p> <p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Check-in, check-out (CICO) serves as an effective Tier 2 intervention and tracking system.</li> <li>Integration with the branching minds platform enhances monitoring and decision-making.</li> <li>Teacher training and staff buy-in are crucial for successful implementation.</li> <li>Real-life success stories demonstrate the intervention’s positive impact.</li> <li>Data is leveraged for relational support and academic improvement.</li> <li>Discipline and behavioral data inform broader Tier 1 and Tier 3 practices.</li> <li>School staff collaboration, including counselors and resource officers, is vital.</li> <li>Gradual implementation and patience are key to rolling out interventions.</li> <li>Creative scheduling helps embed Tier 2 supports during the school day.</li> </ul> <br> <p>Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/branchingminds" rel="nofollow">Branching Minds Website</a>, or sign up for our weekly <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/newsletter" rel="nofollow">Newsletter</a> on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. </p> <p>Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com! </p>Making Student Engagement More Than Compliance
<p>This episode explores how education leaders can foster student engagement through practical strategies like student voice, choice, and empowerment, even with limited time. It emphasizes shifting from compliance to student-driven learning to improve achievement and motivation.</p> <p><strong>Resources:</strong></p> <p>Article: <a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/6-daily-engagement-practices-for-every-mtss-tier" rel="nofollow">6 Daily Engagement Practices for Every MTSS Tier</a></p> <p>Article: <a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/student-engagement-remote-in-person" rel="nofollow">Student Engagement: Why It’s Important and How To Promote It</a></p> <p>Article: <a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/engaging-student-voices-mtss" rel="nofollow">The Importance of Engaging Student Voices in MTSS</a></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/brm-consultation" rel="nofollow">Request a consultation</a></p> <p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Shift from compliance to autonomy to transform engagement.</li> <li>Frontload safety and relevance to ensure engagement success.</li> <li>Focus feedback on student actions to unlock growth.</li> <li>Utilize existing high-impact strategies across routines.</li> <li>Build connections and relevance to enhance secondary engagement.</li> </ul> <br> <p>Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/branchingminds" rel="nofollow">Branching Minds Website</a>, or sign up for our weekly <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/newsletter" rel="nofollow">Newsletter</a> on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. </p> <p>Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com! </p>Mastering Tough Conversations: A School Leader's Playbook
<p>In this insightful interview, authors Tiffany Burns and Erica Bare discuss their new book, 'A School Leader's Playbook for Tough Conversations.' They share practical strategies for school leaders to navigate difficult dialogues with staff and students, emphasizing the importance of care, preparation, body language, and ongoing coaching to foster trust and positive school culture.</p> <p>Resources:</p> <p><strong><u>Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWWC65JW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_FV7EZCFE6WGK48WX9ZJV&bestFormat=true" rel="nofollow">A School Leader’s Playbook for Tough Conversations</a></u></strong></p> <p><strong><u><a href="https://www.connectingthroughconversation.com/" rel="nofollow">Tiffany and Erika's Website</a></u></strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.connectingthroughconversation.com/resources#sign-up" rel="nofollow">Free Resources</a></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/protocol-guide" rel="nofollow">Leader Protocol Guide for Buy-In</a></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/capacity-building" rel="nofollow">Capacity Building for MTSS Article</a></p> <p><strong><u><a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/teacher-feedback-mtss" rel="nofollow">Building Trust and MTSS Buy-In Through Teacher Feedback</a></u></strong></p> <p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/brm-consultation" rel="nofollow">Request a consultation</a></p> <p>Takeaways:</p> <ul> <li>Tough conversations don't get easier with time; they get harder.</li> <li>Transparency about intent builds trust and clarifies misunderstandings.</li> <li>Body language and tone are more impactful than words in communication.</li> <li>Consistent, ongoing feedback fosters growth and reduces surprises.</li> <li>Empathy and curiosity are key when emotions run high.</li> </ul> <br> <p>Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/branchingminds" rel="nofollow">Branching Minds Website</a>, or sign up for our weekly <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/newsletter" rel="nofollow">Newsletter</a> on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. </p> <p>Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com! </p>