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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
Leadership in Action: End of Year Lessons
<p>In this episode, we explore how school and district leaders can effectively wrap up the school year with intention, focusing on reflection, celebration, and strategic planning for the future. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balancing these elements to foster a positive environment and prepare for the upcoming year. Key strategies include hosting reflection sessions, celebrating achievements, and initiating forward planning to ensure a smooth transition into the next school year.</p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/finding-balance-end-of-school-year" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Finding Balance at the End of the Year</a></p><p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/eoy-ebook">End-of-Year Strategies for MTSS Success</a> </p><p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>The end of the school year is a time for reflection and planning.</li><li>Balance celebration, reflection, and preparation as a leader.</li><li>Guided reflection sessions can drive deeper insights.</li><li>Celebrating wins motivates and energizes teams.</li><li>Recognition can be simple yet impactful.</li><li>Involve students and families in celebrations.</li><li>Strategic planning should begin before the new year starts.</li><li>Reflection sessions can lead to valuable learning opportunities.</li><li>Leadership is about modeling optimism and resilience.</li><li>Self-care is essential for effective leadership.</li></ul><br/><p>Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/branchingminds">Branching Minds Website</a>, or sign up for our weekly <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/newsletter">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>
Creating an Effective MTSS Handbook
<p>This podcast episode discusses the importance of creating a comprehensive MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) handbook for K-12 education. It features insights from education leaders who share their experiences in developing and implementing MTSS handbooks in their districts. The conversation covers key components of an effective handbook, the significance of staff roles, data collection strategies, and the challenges faced during implementation. The episode emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and the involvement of various stakeholders, including parents, to ensure that every student receives the necessary support for their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.</p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p><a href="https://5825404.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5825404/Webinars/2025%20Webinars/Create%20MTSS%20Handbook/MTSS%20Handbook%20Resources%20PDF.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Handbook Resources</a></p><p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/mtss-handbook-webinar">MTSS Handbook Webinar</a> </p><p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/brm-consultation">Request a consultation</a> </p><p>Takeaways:</p><ul><li>Creating a dynamic MTSS handbook is essential for effective implementation.</li><li>Involving various stakeholders in the handbook development process enhances its effectiveness.</li><li>Regular updates to the handbook are necessary to reflect changing practices and needs.</li><li>Clear roles and responsibilities for staff are crucial for successful MTSS implementation.</li><li>Data collection and progress monitoring are key components of the MTSS process.</li><li>Parent involvement is important in the MTSS framework.</li><li>A user-friendly handbook can significantly improve staff engagement and student support.</li><li>Continuous feedback and adaptation are necessary for the handbook to remain relevant.</li><li>The ultimate goal of MTSS is to ensure every student receives the support they need.</li></ul><br/><p>Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/branchingminds">Branching Minds Website</a>, or sign up for our weekly <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/newsletter">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>Building Trust, Breaking Barriers: Family Engagement Strategies
<p>In this conversation, Maria Quinones-Ford, an RTI facilitator, discusses the critical role of family engagement in education, particularly within the context of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). She emphasizes the importance of involving parents in their children's education, sharing strategies for fostering family involvement, and addressing challenges faced in engaging diverse families. Maria highlights the need for collaboration between schools and families, cultural sensitivity, and the significance of communication and transparency in building trust and support for student success.</p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/mtss-families-toolkit">MTSS & Families Toolkit</a> </p><p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/mtss-families-article">MTSS & Families Article</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.languageline.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.languageline.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/brm-consultation">Request a consultation</a> </p><p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>Family engagement is essential for student success.</li><li>Parents should be active participants in their child's education.</li><li>Engaging families requires creative strategies beyond academics.</li><li>Building relationships with families fosters a supportive environment.</li><li>Cultural sensitivity is crucial in engaging diverse families.</li><li>Virtual meetings can increase parent participation.</li><li>Collaboration among teachers, staff, and families is vital.</li><li>Communication and transparency build trust with parents.</li><li>Community resources can enhance family engagement efforts.</li><li>Every child's educational journey is a collective effort.</li></ul><br/><p>Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/branchingminds">Branching Minds Website</a>, or sign up for our weekly <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/newsletter">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>MTSS Success Means Buy-In at Every Level
<p>In this podcast episode, Larissa and Jenna Davies discuss the implementation of the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) framework in the School District of Manatee County, Florida. Jenna shares her experiences, challenges, and strategies for effectively rolling out MTSS, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder involvement, data-driven decision-making, and building a supportive infrastructure. </p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/guide-for-sustainable-mtss-implementation-">Guide for Sustainable MTSS Implementation </a> </p><p>Webinar: <a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/webinars/culture-of-continuous-improvement" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement</a></p><p>Blog: <a href="https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/mtss-from-buy-in-to-implementation-8-steps-for-change" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MTSS From Buy-in to Implementation: 8 Steps for Change</a></p><p><a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/brm-consultation">Request a consultation</a> </p><p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>The importance of authentic conversations in podcasts.</li><li>MTSS is a framework for supporting students academically and behaviorally.</li><li>Stakeholder involvement is crucial for successful MTSS implementation.</li><li>Aligning MTSS practices with school improvement plans is essential.</li><li>Building capacity and infrastructure is key to MTSS success.</li><li>Providing autonomy to schools allows for tailored solutions.</li><li>Continuous improvement is a core principle of MTSS.</li><li>Data-driven decision-making enhances the effectiveness of MTSS.</li><li>Communication with families is vital for student support.</li><li>Celebrating small wins helps maintain momentum in MTSS efforts.</li></ul><br/><p>Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/branchingminds">Branching Minds Website</a>, or sign up for our weekly <a href="https://schoolin-around.captivate.fm/newsletter">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>