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

    Every Behavior Is an Attempt to Get a Need Met

    In this episode, Dawn Baumgartner, a licensed clinical social worker and coordinator of social services and wellness for Phoenix Elementary School District #1 in Arizona, describes what changed when her teams stopped running a full threat management protocol on nearly every case that crossed her desk. She and Larissa get into the balance between overreacting to threats and missing real warning signs, what makes a multidisciplinary team work beyond a list of assigned roles, and why her district's first year with a standardized model produced more documented threats and fewer serious ones. Essential listening for anyone whose district has handed them school safety. Resources: CSTAG — Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (Dr. Dewey Cornell) The Evidence Behind CSTAG — Dr. Dewey Cornell Explains Transforming Student Safety in Arizona: The Phoenix Elementary School District Canopy Story Integrating Behavioral Threat Assessment into Your System of Supports Incorporating Threat Assessment and Suicide Risk Response into MTSS District Panel: Building Systems to Support Student and School Safety Learn more about Canopy Case Management! Takeaways: Every behavior is an attempt to get a need met.A standardized model can surface more threats and fewer crises at the same time.Threat assessment drains emotional bandwidth that teams don't have to spare.Build the team before you build the protocol.Give each team member a lens only their role can bring.Ask whether a statement came from frustration before escalating it.Review threat and screening data quarterly for building-wide trends.Refuse to own school safety alone, even when it's been assigned to you. 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!

  2. Aug 25

    Be Reasonable: A Back-to-School Survival Guide

    In this episode, Larissa is joined by Erin Meek, a senior data implementation specialist at Branching Minds and a former educator and K-12 data researcher, for a back-to-school conversation with no frameworks and no fidelity checklists. They get honest about which back-to-school PD is worth pulling teachers out of their rooms for and which could have been an email, whether any icebreaker survives scrutiny, and why the routines you set on day one shouldn't be the ones you're still running in March. Larissa also puts listener-submitted survival tips to Erin for a yes, a no, or a rewrite. Resources: Ep 25: Being A Reasonable MTSS Leader with Angie Plugge, Director of Learning (10/3/2023) — the "let's be reasonable" advice Larissa cites Differentiating Your MTSS PD article Beginning of Year MTSS Gameplan Ebook Administrators Guide to Supporting Teachers Request a consultation Takeaways: The first week is a blur, so the setup that matters happens before it starts.PD that models bad teaching practice teaches teachers to tune out.Day-one routines are a starting point, not a contract for the year.Protect a few days for home and family before the whirlwind begins.Send it as an email if it could have been an email.Save icebreakers for rooms where people genuinely don't know each other.Pair morning PD with afternoon work time in classrooms.Ask what's reasonable before adding another initiative this year. 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!

  3. Aug 18

    From an MTSS Hero: "Build Systems Good Enough to Outlast You"

    In this episode, Todd Hartman, principal of Creekside Elementary in Lakota Local Schools, Ohio, and a 2026 MTSS Hero Award winner, shares what changed between his first year in the building and his fourth. He and Larissa get into why "do all the things right away" turned out to be unsustainable, what collaboration actually means once a staff defines it out loud, and the five-minute monthly practice that has become his teachers' most requested professional learning. Perfect for building leaders who want the systems they build to keep working after they're gone. Resources: Lead From Where You Are — Joe Sanfelippo Ep 98: Roll Call! Addressing the Roots of Absenteeism with MTSS — Todd's first appearance, 4/1/2025 (Captivate link) How Creekside Elementary Improved Attendance with Branching Minds Principal to Principal: 5 Steps to MTSS Success How To Establish a Supportive & Successful MTSS Culture How to Master Your MTSS Meetings Request a consultation Takeaways: Chasing every improvement at once frustrates staff and moves nothing very far.Collaboration is interdependence — you feel it when a teammate is missing.A real legacy is a system that survives the leader, not a leader nobody can replace.Define collaboration with your team out loud instead of assuming shared meaning.Call it evidence, not data, when the word carries baggage for teachers.Coach your building leadership team so they can coach their own teams.Hand data-meeting ownership to teachers gradually, over years, not in one year.Invite a parent to speak for five minutes at a staff meeting each month. 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!

  4. Aug 11

    Lessons for Superintendents

    In this episode, Dr. Emilio Castro, Sr. Executive Director of Schools of Houston ISD, shares invaluable leadership insights from his 24 years in education, focusing on common traps that derail superintendents and strategies for building effective systems and teams. Perfect for aspiring and current district leaders aiming to enhance their leadership capacity. Resources: Books Dr. Castro Recommends The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive – Patrick LencioniThe Five Temptations of a CEO – Patrick LencioniThe Advantage – Patrick LencioniGood to Great – Jim CollinsLeaders Eat Last – Simon SinekThe Speed of Trust – Stephen M. R. Covey Dr. Emilio Castro Leader Protocol Guide for Buy-In Article: Leadership and System-Level Work in MTSS Article: Top 5 MTSS Implementation Tips for School and District Leaders Guide: The District Leader’s Guide to MTSS and Strategic Planning Webinar: The Role of MTSS in District Improvement: Aligning Vision and Action Request a consultation Key Topics: Leadership traps and how to avoid themBuilding leadership capacity and densityEffective communication and clarity in leadershipSystem alignment and crisis managementHabits and strategies for young leaders 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!

  5. Aug 4

    What MTSS Progress Really Looks Like

    In this episode, Larissa revisits her interview with Theresa Donohue from Plainview Old Beth Page to explore the district's journey through MTSS implementation, challenges, and successes over the past few years. Discover how strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and team collaboration transformed their approach to supporting student achievement. Resources: DataWise ProtocolHow to Scale Up Your MTSS District-WideMTSS Month-by-Month ChecklistsRequest a consultation Takeaways: The importance of district leadership support in sustaining MTSS initiativesCultivating trust through consistent communication and professional growth opportunitiesThe value of data protocols in shifting classroom culture from personal to collaborative data useFuture focus on subgroup analysis, equity, and targeted interventions 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!

  6. Jul 28

    Classroom Management: A Key to Student Success

    Summer Replay: In this conversation, educators Ashley Robertson and Emily Jordan discuss the critical role of classroom management in fostering a productive learning environment. They explore the challenges faced by teachers, particularly in the post-COVID landscape, where emotional dysregulation among students has increased. The discussion emphasizes the importance of building relationships, focusing on positive behaviors, and the need for ongoing professional development. They also highlight the role of school leaders in supporting teachers and the evolving nature of classroom management strategies, advocating for a shift from punitive measures to restorative practices that prioritize student well-being. Resources: Blog: 6 Daily Engagement Practices for Every MTSS Tier Tier 1 Behavior Guide Takeaways: Classroom management is crucial for student success.Post-COVID, students are struggling with emotional regulation.Building relationships with students enhances classroom management.Focusing on positive behaviors can improve classroom dynamics.Behavior change requires time and consistent support.School leaders play a vital role in setting expectations.Professional development is essential for teacher growth.Restorative practices are more effective than punitive measures.Technology can distract students from learning.Classroom management strategies must evolve with changing student needs. 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!

  7. Jul 21

    How to Support New Teachers in MTSS Implementation

    SUMMER REPLAY: In this conversation, Michele James, member of Branching Minds Professional Services, and Larissa discuss the critical aspects of supporting new teachers, particularly through the implementation of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). They emphasize the importance of building community, providing structured support, and creating a collaborative environment for new educators. The discussion covers strategies for effective onboarding, the significance of mentorship, and the need for ongoing professional development to ensure new teachers feel equipped and confident in their roles. Resources: Administrators Guide to Supporting Teachers MTSS Coaching Toolkit ICEL Key Domains of Learning RIOT and ICEL Matrix: Sources of Information and Variables to Assess Takeaways: Building community is essential for new teachers' success.New teachers often feel overwhelmed, akin to 'drinking out of a fire hose.'Orientation should focus on relationship-building rather than just information delivery.MTSS implementation requires a clear path and ongoing support.Teachers can only handle a limited amount of information at once.New teachers should have a seat at the table in collaborative meetings.Creating a non-evaluative atmosphere helps new teachers feel safe.Asking the right questions can guide productive discussions about student support.Planning for professional development is crucial for new teachers.Strategic onboarding can significantly impact new teachers' experiences. 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!

  8. Jul 14

    How to Build MTSS Teacher Buy-in....A Handbook

    SUMMER REPLAY: In this conversation, Larissa interviews Shannon Thornton from Warrensville, Ohio, about the implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in their district. Shannon emphasizes the importance of teacher buy-in and the need for ongoing education and training on MTSS. She also discusses the development of an MTSS handbook to provide a centralized resource for teachers and administrators. In this conversation, Shannon Thornton, a district administrator, discusses the implementation of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) in her district. She emphasizes the importance of regularly revisiting and updating the MTSS handbook to ensure clarity and address teachers' questions. Resources: Guide: MTSS Buy-in and Mobilization Guide Webinar: Buy-In (in MTSS) is Like Sunscreen Article: MTSS From Buy-in to Implementation: 8 Steps for Change Takeaways: Implementing MTSS is a complex task that requires investment in intervention teachers and programs.Teacher buy-in is crucial for successful implementation of MTSS.Ongoing education and training on MTSS is necessary to ensure understanding and implementation fidelity.Implementing MTSS at the secondary level presents unique challenges, including the need for specialized teachers.A centralized resource, such as an MTSS handbook, can support teachers and administrators in implementing MTSS effectively. Regularly revisiting and updating the MTSS handbook is crucial for clarity and addressing teachers' questionsOne-on-one meetings with teachers can help identify and address students who are not making adequate progressImplementing MTSS can lead to growth and improved outcomes for students 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!

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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
    172
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Schoolin' Around

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