Schoolin' Around

Schoolin' Around by Branching Minds
  • 4.9 (33)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 5d ago

    MTSS Leadership: Setting the Stage for a New School Year

    In this conversation, Larissa and Sandra discuss essential back-to-school strategies for educators and school leaders. They emphasize the excitement of a new school year, the importance of setting a positive tone, and the need for clear communication and visibility in leadership. They also highlight the importance of building relationships and support systems among staff, the necessity of meaningful professional development, and the role of feedback in fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The discussion provides practical tips and insights for creating a successful school year. Resources: Administrators Guide to Supporting Teachers Leader Protocol Guide for Buy-In MTSS Month by Month Checklist Beginning of Year MTSS Gameplan Ebook Takeaways: The excitement of a new school year brings fresh opportunities.Showing value to staff and students is crucial for success.Clear expectations help prioritize important goals.Effective communication reduces stress and fosters collaboration.Visibility and approachability of leaders enhance school culture.Building relationships among staff supports a positive environment.Professional development should be meaningful and relevant.Feedback should be constructive and promote growth.Creating a culture of continuous improvement benefits everyone.Leaders should focus on one goal at a time to avoid overwhelm. Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.  Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com!

    28 min

  2. Jun 30

    How Medina City Schools Is Building MTSS for High School

    Summer Replay: This conversation explores the implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in secondary education, specifically at Medina City Schools in Ohio. The discussion highlights the challenges faced, the roles of educators, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. The speakers share their experiences with MTSS, emphasizing the need for systematic support, collaboration among staff, and the integration of social-emotional learning (SEL) into the educational framework. They also provide insights into the progress made and the future goals for improving student outcomes. Resources: Guide: Implementing MTSS in Secondary Schools MTSS in Secondary Schools MTSS in High School Article Webinar: EWS https://hubs.ly/Q02RznQb0 Takeaways: MTSS is becoming more common in secondary schools.Collaboration among educators is crucial for MTSS success.Data collection and analysis are foundational for effective MTSS.Social-emotional learning is essential for student engagement.Teachers need ongoing professional development to implement MTSS.Building relationships with students is key to their success.Addressing disproportionality in education is a priority.Focusing on one area of improvement at a time is effective.Creating a supportive school culture enhances student learning.Continuous communication about the purpose of MTSS is necessary. Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.  Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com!

    49 min

  3. Jun 23

    How Great Teaching Grows From Great Systems

    In this episode, Larissa Napolitan talks with April Remfrey, international educational consultant, about building supportive school systems, effective classroom routines, and fostering trust and collaboration among educators. They explore practical strategies for leaders to enhance MTSS implementation and create sustainable, inclusive learning environments. Resources: https://www.remfrey.com/ April Remfrey on LinkedIn Leader Protocol Guide for Buy-In How to Lead for Improved Student Outcomes Using Real-Time, Real-Life Insights Takeaways: Systems are reflected in teacher conversations.Teaching practices are rooted in system soil.Proactive maintenance beats reactive intervention.Trust and calmness signal system health.Feedback loops act like nutrients.Small shifts can ripple widely.Sustained focus beats quick fixes. Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.  Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com!

    36 min

  4. Jun 16

    The MTSS Leader’s Summer Reset

    In this episode, we discuss the importance of setting intentions over goals, reflection, and how deliberate leadership can transform the upcoming school year. She offers practical strategies for educators to reflect, set intentions, and lead with purpose, especially in the context of MTSS. Resources: Leader Protocol Guide for Buy-In Summer Reflection Questions Article: Reflecting on Yourself as a Leader Article: How to Let Your Values Guide You as a School Leader Article: What K-12 Leaders Need to Know About the Power of Self-Reflection Article: Setting Intentions: A Powerful Tool to Help Us Learn Takeaways: Distinguish between goals that set destinations and intentions that define how you show up.Use reflection as a counterbalance to keep school change from becoming chaos or burnout.Set clear intentions to prime your neural system for spotting opportunities that align with your leadership style.Protect your staff’s energy by removing unnecessary initiatives before adding new ones.Use the L.O.V.E. framework to evaluate whether your decisions truly align with your core values.Build trust through small, kept promises rather than relying on grand declarations. Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.  Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com!

    15 min

  5. Jun 9

    How Deep District Alignment Makes Real MTSS Progress for North Carolina District

    The episode explores how deep district alignment transforms educational practices by embedding frameworks into daily routines in Person County, North Carolina. The guests, Kelly Kiser and Lyndsay Hubbard, highlight the importance of visibility in student progress to boost teacher buy-in and confidence. The discussion emphasizes hands-on support through coaching, which bridges the gap between policy and practice. Finally, it showcases how consistent structures and cross-school collaboration lead to sustainable educational transformation. Resources: The Superintendent’s Guide to MTSS and District Strategic Planning Leader Protocol Guide for Buy-In Guide for Sustainable MTSS Implementation Administrators Guide to Supporting Teachers Request a consultation Takeaways: Embedding frameworks into daily practices leads to true reform.Tangible growth evidence turns compliance into conviction.Coaching bridges the gap between policy and practice.Standardizing protocols ensures high-quality practices.Rethinking support models ignites transformation.Sharing practices reduces siloed thinking.A well-planned calendar builds confidence and momentum. Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.  Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com!

    28 min

  6. Jun 2

    How One District Leader is Breaking ‘Analysis Paralysis’ to Make Real MTSS Progress

    In this interview, Dr. Kristen Panzerella from Lawrence UFSD in New York, shares her district's journey in implementing MTSS, emphasizing the importance of getting into the work quickly, building staff buy-in through consistency, and adapting practices to support diverse student populations. Discover practical strategies for overcoming analysis paralysis and fostering a culture of action in education. Resources: Leader Protocol Guide for Buy-In MTSS Meetings Guide Request a consultation Takeaways: Start quickly to fuel progress.Visible results build commitment.Consistency unifies student experiences.Focus on a few targeted interventions.Action builds momentum faster than planning.Small wins foster continuous improvement.Rapid action reveals real needs.Empower staff to innovate and revise. Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.  Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com!

    27 min

  7. May 26

    EOY Insights: How To Turn MTSS Data Into Actionable Wins Before Summer Break

    In this episode, Valerie Parsons, a Professional Learning Consultant at Branching Minds, school administrator, and author of the MTSS playbook series, shares her expert insights on leveraging end-of-year data to improve educational outcomes. She discusses key topics such as data analysis, universal screening, test preparation strategies, and effective planning for the upcoming school year. Resources: MTSS Playbook Series: End-of-Year Winning Plays Webinar: Turning Insights into Action: EOY Data for Administrators Blog: End-of-Year Reflection and Planning With MTSS: Connect the Dots With Branching Minds EOY Action Plan Schedule a Conversation Takeaways: Use data to make informed decisions and improve educational outcomes.Utilize checklists to ensure nothing falls through the cracks during the school year.Keep motivation high and evaluate student progress to plan future support.Understand the benefits and limitations of different assessment types.Ensure district-wide consistency in cut scores for accurate data analysis.Use data to guide professional learning and improve instructional effectiveness.Regularly assess and refine systems for ongoing improvement. Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.  Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com!

    36 min

  8. May 19

    Executive Functions for K-3 Students for a Strong Start

    This episode explores the critical role of self-regulation and executive functions in early education, revealing how they underpin academic success. Authors Mitch Weathers and Sarah Oberle share practical strategies for creating classroom environments that nurture these skills. By focusing on routines and reducing distractions, educators can enhance students' ability to learn and behave effectively. This approach empowers teachers to foster independence and resilience in young learners. Resources: Executive Function Toolkit Executive Function in MTSS Executive Function Webinar Book: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start Organized Binder 2026 Mini Summit Takeaways: Executive functions are essential for early learning success.Classroom environments significantly impact executive function development.Cognitive bandwidth limits learning capacity and needs support.Supporting executive functions promotes educational equity.Teaching self-regulation is foundational to learning.Consistent routines enhance cognitive development.Leadership is key to embedding executive function practices. Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our Branching Minds Website, or sign up for our weekly Newsletter on all things MTSS. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.  Send feedback or inquiries to podcast@branchingminds.com!

    44 min
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4.9
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Schoolin' Around by Branching Minds
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    164
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Schoolin' Around

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