How to Have Better MTSS Meetings

Educators know that meetings are a big part of the job—especially MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) meetings, which are all about figuring out how to best support students who need extra help. But without proper planning and focus, these meetings can quickly go from being super helpful to feeling like a total waste of time.

Jodee Nelson, a Title 1 Coordinator and K-3 Reading Specialist from Lincoln County, Wyoming, with nearly 20 years of experience, recently shared her tips on how to make MTSS meetings more effective for both students and teachers. 

The Challenges with MTSS Meetings

Time is one of the most precious—and limited—resources for teachers. Between teaching, grading, and countless other responsibilities, many educators often leave meetings thinking, "That could’ve just been an email." With so much to juggle, it’s no surprise that teachers multitask during meetings just to make the most of their time.

Common Issues with MTSS Meetings:

• Lack of clear purpose or actionable takeaways: Without an agenda, discussions can easily go off track, leading to frustration and no clear next steps. As Jodee put it: "We sit and talk in circles. There aren’t clear next steps. And then we leave thinking, well, that was a waste of time."
• Shifting from data-driven decisions to personal opinions: "If our conversations are based on assumptions or personal opinions instead of what the data is showing, we’re not focusing on what’s best for the student." When discussions are based on assumptions rather than data, the focus drifts away from what’s best for students. 

➡️ Dig Deeper: How to Create a Seamless Data-Driven School Culture Through MTSS

The Key to Transformative MTSS Meetings

Despite challenges, Jodee shared examples of successful MTSS meetings that worked. Here’s what made them effective:  

Preparation in Advance
Jodee highlighted how receiving an agenda ahead of time allowed her to prepare effectively.

”I don’t like confrontational conversations, so I need to process things beforehand. Having that agenda made all the difference.”

Streamlined Meeting Structure

• No unnecessary icebreakers, allowing the team to dive straight into the data.
  Student-focused based on what the data revealed
• Clear next steps were established, along with responsibilities for each task
• On-time start and finish times for all MTSS meetings

This structured, data-driven approach—with clear accountability and respect for participants’ time—exemplifies what ideal MTSS meetings should look like.

➡️ Dig Deeper: How to Create a Seamless Data-Driven School Culture Through MTSS

Building a Culture of Trust

One of Jodee’s most profound insights was about the importance of establishing a safe and supportive culture, not just during meetings but throughout the school environment. "That can’t just happen in the meeting. That’s something that is a culture of your school or your business.” Without trust and mutual respect, it’s difficult to have honest and productive conversations about what is and isn’t working.

She also advocated for making space for quieter voices to be heard. Jodee noted, "Usually they’re the most profound statements, and they’ve been listening so intently that they can just put it all together." Inviting everyone to contribute ensures that the full range of insights and ideas is considered, leading to stronger decisions and outcomes.

➡️ Dig Deeper: How to Create a Seamless Data-Driven School Culture Through MTSS

The Future of Your MTSS Meetings

Imagine an MTSS meeting where the agenda is automatically created, bringing in recent student data and letting you walk in prepared with no extra effort. Real-time note-taking captures every important detail, and follow-up actions are automatically generated. This is no longer just a dream—it’s the new reality with the Branching Minds Meeting Assistant.

This AI-powered feature streamlines meeting preparation and progress tracking, saving hours of time while ensuring your meetings are productive and student-centered. 

The AI Meeting Assistant includes:

• Automated agendas
• Real-time summaries
• Next action steps