How Education Leaders Can Support Teacher Well-Being

    SEL and Behavior, Leadership in MTSS

    I remember sitting in my new therapist’s office, describing the weariness I felt after one of my most exhausting years as an educator. I was struggling to identify why I felt so tired, and it was not the kind of fatigue that sleeping all weekend could fix.  

    PBIS: More than Points and Parties

    SEL and Behavior, MTSS Practice, Instituting MTSS

    My experience in education has made me a true believer in the good things that can come from a fully implemented Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) practice. I worked with students who went from ditching daily to being eligible for graduation because they found a person on campus who saw their abilities and recognized them for their efforts until they grew toward success. When looking for a solution to behavior problems and disproportionalityon campus, PBIS is typically at the top of the search list. Many educators hesitate to invest in PBIS, though, because they have heard it is just “points and parties.” But a PBIS system, when implemented with fidelity, is so much more than acknowledgments and celebrations. And it is not a replacement for campus discipline procedures!  Rather, PBIS is the behavior and attendance branch of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Just like MTSS, PBIS is a three-tiered, evidence-based framework that enables the success of all students while improving social-emotional competence, academic success, and overall school climate. This blog will share the why and the how behind creating a campus-based PBIS practice with integrity.

    Supporting Students’ Social, Emotional, & Behavioral Needs: Moving From Referrals to an Interconnected Systems Framework

    SEL and Behavior, Instituting MTSS

    It is widely recognized that students' sense of well-being plays an important role in learning outcomes. Therefore, it is no surprise that schools have a growing need for systemic practices that better support students' social, emotional,  and behavioral needs. In a lot of cases, classroom teachers are the first people to recognize when students have an escalated need for support. Yet, most teachers do not have the training or available time that is needed to address intensive social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students on their own. This is why schools need to ensure that a system of support is in place along with practices and procedures for early identification and the implementation of supports and services before issues become escalated.

    Check In Check Out and Beyond: Tier 2 Behavior Interventions That Build Relationships & Foster School Connectedness – Webinar Recap

    SEL and Behavior, MTSS Practice, Tier 2, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies
     
    A well-run Tier 2 behavior intervention program can be life-changing on a campus. For students, the additional positive attention, structure, and feedback helps them follow the rules and expectations that make academic and social success possible. For teachers, a campus-led program for such students means that they are not alone in meeting the behavioral needs of their students. Instead, the school community works together to support both students and teachers.

    The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning in Secondary School

    SEL and Behavior, MTSS Practice, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies, MTSS for Secondary

    In education, I know what keeps me awake at night.

    I would imagine that each professional in their chosen career, when asked, could identify the thing that keeps them up at night. For the day trader, it might be an unexpected stock market crash. The comedian could lie awake in fear of an empty auditorium. Restless nights may come to the dentist who lays awake thinking of drilling the wrong tooth, or the professional athlete who misses the field goal to miss the playoffs.

    How MTSS Fosters a Sense of Belonging - Video & Blog

    SEL and Behavior

    After over a decade in the school setting, I have a healthy collection of thank-you notes from students, colleagues, and mentors. These notes are reminders of my relationship with the individuals who took the time to write them. Often on hard days, I revisit these notes for encouragement and to remember my connection to those individuals.

    How To Implement the ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ Intervention

    SEL and Behavior, MTSS Practice, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies

    Teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic brought about all kinds of challenges. My colleagues and I were relieved when we could go back to in-person learning, but it quickly became apparent that our students seemed to be missing a lot of important social-emotional skills. Unfortunately, the lack of socialization opportunities over the past two years and trying to re-learn how to engage in school left them falling behind in this area.

    How To Utilize Behavior Staff Effectively in MTSS/PBIS

    SEL and Behavior, Instituting MTSS

    The educational landscape is changing rapidly, and student behavior is at or near the top of the list of concerns. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 84% of schools report a negative impact on student behavioral development due to the pandemic, and 87% report a negative impact on students’ socio-emotional development (NCES, 2022). 

    Tips & Tools for a Mid-Year Behavior Reset - Video & Blog

    SEL and Behavior, Reflective Teaching

    A mid-year behavior reset can change the trajectory and help create a more positive and uplifting environment for students and staff members. Check out the blog and video below! 

    How To Understand the Progress and Impact of an SEL Program or Intervention

    SEL and Behavior, MTSS Practice, MTSS Assessment Data, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies

    Many educators are aware of the importance of promoting students’ social-emotional skills and how this can be done through well-coordinated and implemented social-emotional learning (SEL) programs and practices. But whether or not these approaches are being implemented effectively and the level of impact they are having on student outcomes can be a bit more difficult to determine.