Summer Pool Bag of MTSS Resources

As you soak up the summer sunshine by the pool—whether you're diving into a good book, enjoying a refreshing drink, or simply relaxing—we've put together a collection of free MTSS resources, professional learning opportunities, and practical tools to help educators, school leaders, and district leaders strengthen MTSS implementation before the new school year.

Resource #1: Summer PD Reading List

Looking for a good book to add to your summer reading list? Check out these recommendations:

• A School Leader's Playbook for Tough Conversations, by Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns
• Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments, by Mitch Weathers
• ExSELent Teaching: Classroom strategies to support the social, emotional, and academic growth of students, by R. Keeth Matheny
• Instructional Innovation+: Cultivating Teaching Teams Through Action Research, by Jorge Valenzuela
• The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging, by Charles Vogl
• AI for Educators: Learning Strategies, Teacher Efficiencies, and a Vision for an Artificial Intelligence Future, by Matt Miller

Resource #2: Reflective Journal

With the year coming to a close, taking time to reflect can help you reset and plan for the year ahead. Here's a resource to help you get started.

📝 Download this short Reflection Journal to help you jump-start your reflection.

Resource #3: Build Your MTSS Learning Course

Branching Minds has great FREE resources to further your learning around MTSS and supporting students. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

💻 On-Demand Webinars:

• Supporting Early Literacy and Dyslexia Within an MTSS Practice

• Tier 1 Behavior Support: Creating a Campus PBIS Plan

• How to Build an MTSS Handbook for Your School or District

💡 Blogs:

• 10 Behavior Intervention Strategies for Young Students
• Math Intervention Strategies for MTSS
• Intervention Planning in MTSS: How to Balance Best Practices and Feasibility

📚Guides:

• The Ultimate Guide to MTSS
• MTSS Intervention Process Flowchart Guide
• Beginning-of-Year Game Plan for School and District Leaders

🎧 Schoolin’ Around Podcast Episodes:

• 10 Years of MTSS: Lessons from Mineola UFSD
• MTSS Leadership: Setting the Stage for a New School Year
• Mastering Tough Conversations: A School Leader's Playbook

Resource #4: Catch the Replay of the 2026 Mini-Summit

We recently hosted a half-day virtual MTSS Mini Summit featuring practical strategies for strengthening behavior support, improving MTSS implementation, and helping educators better support students.

Even if you couldn’t attend, check out our opening session about the Function of Behavior, and sign up here for our MTSS Summit in December!

👩‍💻 Access the MTSS Mini Summit opening session.

Resource #5: Great Podcasts to Follow

Need some inspiration, practical tips, and laughter? Choose a new education podcast to follow from these popular options: 

• Perspectives: Finding Common Ground: Hosted by Patrick Devanney, this podcast brings together diverse voices to tackle education technology challenges, helping educational leaders foster collaboration and implement innovative solutions.

• The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast: Hosted by Daniel Bauer, this inspiring podcast empowers school leaders with expert advice and strategies to drive meaningful, innovative change in their schools.

• The EdSurge Podcast: Hosted by EdSurge journalists, this weekly podcast offers educators deep insights into the evolving future of learning, providing practical and forward-thinking perspectives on education technology and policy.

• The EdTech Podcast: Hosted by Professor Rose Luckin, this podcast connects education and technology enthusiasts through engaging discussions highlighting cutting-edge innovations and their real-world impacts.

• The School Leadership Show: Hosted by Dr. Mike Doughty and Jenn David-Lang, this podcast delivers actionable advice and insights for school leaders to excel in their roles and achieve a sustainable career balance.

• And of course, Schoolin' Around - Schoolin’ Around, Branching Minds podcast hosted by Larissa Napolitan.
  

Resource #6: Branching Minds Summer Playlist

What is summer without a great soundtrack?

🎶 We asked our team for a few recommendations and must-haves on your summer playlist and compiled them here on a Spotify playlist!