Tier 1 Interventions

Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer
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Math intervention, writing intervention, neurobiology, and cognitive-based learning - Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer are sharing how to incorporate them into your classroom. Jonily is a secondary math teacher and instructional coach for math K-12. Cheri is an occupational therapist specializing in neurology-based treatment across the lifespan and a Strategy-based Interventionist. Jonily secretly calls Cheri her Lesson Plan Whisperer because Cheri is always in her head, reminding her of the foundations of development before academics begin. They met in 2018 and have been talking ever since. Together, they have discovered the Miracle Math Classroom. This classroom embeds all math standards from Kindergarten to twelfth grade, plus neuro-based interventions that improve proficiency and boost student engagement. Both gifted and learning support students thrive using the interventions they share, plus all students in between. Using cognitive enhancing techniques strategically placed in the lesson plan, students learn more and enjoy school more, and fewer students get removed from critical instruction for Tier Three Interventions. Jonily has discovered how to teach all Kindergarten through algebra math standards using twelve, that’s right, twelve Reference Tasks. They include the Pizza Problem, 120-Chart, Paper Folding, Making Rectangles, Quick Dots, Locker Problem, Jesse and Kay, Geoboard, Candy Problem, Paint Problem, Staircase, and the Function Machine. Cheri uses Body-Brain Anchors to ignite the flame inside everyone’s brain for learning. Whether a person is five or 90, her strategy-based interventions will ignite that flame. These Brain-Body Anchors include the Handstand Flip, Interlaced Bilateral Integration, and the Body Sentence Alphabet. Together, they connect the puzzle behind math instruction and instructional delivery alongside these cognitive-enhancing activities to maximize math education for all students. Join us live on the third Saturday of the month, sans July, for the math behind the Reference Task. Every live event is approximately 2.5 contact hours. The first 30-ish minutes become this podcast. To hear the entire training, join our membership program. Please note: we will not record on holiday weekends. Join our mailing list for updates on dates. To join us live, register at Tier1interventions.com. The 2.5-hour sessions include the PowerPoint slides, additional audio files of Jonily teaching the Reference Task, resources from Cheri, and much more. A subscription to these 2.5-hour Workshops is $97/month or $947/year. Membership includes: *Approximately 27.5 hours of direct training per year *Audio files of Jonily's Hear Me Teach segments - complete *PowerPoint Slides to grab and use in your Magic Math Classroom *Resources from Jonily and Cheri for you and your students *A copy of Math DYSconnected when released. Or, you can listen to the first segment on your favorite podcast app for free; no membership is required. No matter how you listen, you will come away with golden nuggets that will transform your classroom. Reach out to Jonily: jonily@mindsonmath.com Reach out to Cheri: info@cheridotterer.com Tier1Interventions.com

  1. Why Tier 1 Math Fails Before Instruction Even Begins

    JAN 13

    Why Tier 1 Math Fails Before Instruction Even Begins

    Most Tier 1 math conversations focus on instruction — better lessons, better strategies, better interventions. But what if the problem starts before teaching even begins? In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, we unpack the real issue hiding underneath low math achievement: 👉 a structural design problem, not an instructional one. You’ll learn: Why traditional pacing guides and scope & sequence models break downHow Tier 1 math fails when the year isn’t designed intentionallyWhy fixing lessons won’t work if the structure is flawedWhat it means to design math instruction using a novel model instead of a checklist model This conversation is for: Classroom teachersMath coachesInterventionistsAdministrators and district leaders If Tier 1 instruction feels harder every year — this episode explains why. 📌 This is Part 2 of a 7-part series on rebuilding Tier 1 math from the ground up. Part 3/7 comes out next week. 🔗 Get involved with Tier 1 Interventions coaching: Check the link in the show notes to join live sessions or access the full year of professional learning.  Join one Mastery Math Method Workshop for just $47. https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching 👇 Comment below: Where do you see kids getting stuck most often in math? ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Why Tier 1 math failure isn’t about instruction 01:00 – The real problem: structure comes before teaching 02:05 – Why pacing guides and scope & sequence break down 03:10 – Tier 1 math has a design problem, not a skill problem 04:15 – Why fixing lessons won’t fix Tier 1 outcomes 05:25 – Introducing the Novel Model for Tier 1 math 06:40 – What “pre-planning the year” actually means 07:55 – Why most districts design math backward 09:10 – The danger of checklist-based curriculum models 10:30 – Why Tier 1 collapses before instruction even begins 12:00 – What changes when the structure is fixed first 13:20 – How this applies beyond math (Tier 1 systems) 14:45 – Who this work is for and how to get involved 16:30 – Closing thoughts + what’s coming in Part 3 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days? 👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar 🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go? SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1 🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network 🧠 Resources Mentioned: Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Live sessions (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies. Keywords Tier 1 math instruction, math achievement, math intervention, Algebra 1 instruction, brain-based math, math pacing guide, math scope and sequence, Novel Model, Mastery Math Method, math structure, K-12 math, math education reform, Tier 1 interventions, number sense, math retention

    20 min
  2. Transform Your Tier 1 Math Classroom

    JAN 6

    Transform Your Tier 1 Math Classroom

    Math achievement is not a Tier 2 or Tier 3 problem — it’s a Tier 1 structure problem. In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily unpack what it truly means to transform a Tier 1 math classroom. Drawing from real classroom results in high school Algebra 1, this conversation explains why traditional pacing guides, textbooks, and scope-and-sequence models fail most students — and what to do instead. You’ll learn: Why math achievement collapses when Tier 1 instruction is misaligned with how the brain learns How the Novel Model restructures math instruction for deeper understanding and retention Why exposure matters more than mastery early in the year How to teach more math in less time without increasing pressure Why Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions cannot fix a Tier 1 design problem How chunking, structure, and story transform number sense and confidence This episode is essential viewing for: ✔ Math teachers (K–12) ✔ Instructional coaches ✔ Administrators & curriculum directors ✔ Special educators & interventionists ✔ Occupational therapists supporting math learning If you’re ready to stop blaming students — and start fixing structure — this episode lays out the roadmap. 🔗 Get involved with Tier 1 Interventions coaching: Check the link in the show notes to join live sessions or access the full year of professional learning.  Join one Mastery Math Method Workshop for just $47. https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching 👇 Comment below: Where do you see kids getting stuck most often in math? ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Mission Accomplished: Why This Conversation Matters 01:00 – Teaching Algebra 1 Again: Real Classroom Context 02:00 – What “Mission Accomplished” Actually Means 03:00 – The Real Math Crisis (It’s Not About Math) 04:15 – Cognitive Ability, Percentiles, and Placement Reality 06:30 – Why Average Students Are Failing Under Traditional Models 08:00 – The Structure Problem in Math Education 09:30 – Why Pacing Guides and Textbooks Are the Issue 11:00 – Saying the Same Thing on Purpose: How Learning Works 12:00 – Introducing the Novel Model 13:15 – Teaching More Math in Less Time 14:30 – Engagement, Retention, and Number Sense 15:45 – Why Tier 2 and Tier 3 Can’t Fix Tier 1 17:00 – Tier 1 Interventions Explained 18:30 – Planning in Chunks, Not Sequences 20:00 – Lockers, Rectangles, and Pizzas: A Core Chunk 21:30 – What Story Are You Telling in Math? 22:45 – Designing the School Year Like a Novel 24:00 – Exposure vs Mastery: The First 15 Days 25:30 – How Any Teacher Can Implement This Now 26:45 – Coaching Opportunities and Next Steps 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days? 👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar 🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go? SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1 🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network 🧠 Resources Mentioned: Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Live sessions (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies. Keywords Tier 1 math instruction, math achievement, math intervention, Algebra 1 instruction, brain-based math, math pacing guide, math scope and sequence, Novel Model, Mastery Math Method, math structure, K-12 math, math education reform, Tier 1 interventions, number sense, math retention

    27 min
  3. The System IS Broken

    12/30/2025

    The System IS Broken

    The problem with math is NOT your child. If your student feels confused, overwhelmed, or frustrated with math—even when they’re trying—the issue is not effort, motivation, or ability. The system is broken. In this episode of Tier One Interventions, we unpack why so many kids struggle with math despite years of instruction, intervention, and support. From number lines and disconnected procedures to well-intended interventions that miss foundational understanding, we examine how traditional math instruction often works against the brain. You’ll learn: Why kids struggle with math even when they’re intelligent and capableHow math is often taught in disconnected pieces instead of meaningful patternsWhy math intervention and IEP support frequently fail to produce lasting resultsHow early instructional choices impact confidence, retention, and reasoningWhat brain-aligned, connected math instruction actually looks like This conversation is for parents, teachers, therapists, and homeschool educators who are tired of blaming kids—and are ready to understand what’s really going wrong. Because when we stop asking “What’s wrong with the child?” and start asking “What’s wrong with the system?” Everything changes. 👇 Comment below: Where do you see kids getting stuck most often in math? 👉 Want to see the full instructional progression step-by-step? Join one Mastery Math Method Workshop for just $47. https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – The problem is NOT the kids 01:18 – What we’re seeing in classrooms everywhere 03:42 – Why kids feel confused even when they’re trying 06:15 – The hidden flaw in how math is taught 09:08 – Number lines, procedures, and disconnected learning 12:34 – Why intervention doesn’t fix the real issue 15:50 – What kids actually need to understand math 19:22 – The cost of a broken system 22:40 – A better way forward 26:05 – Closing: what changes when we stop blaming kids 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days? 👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar 🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go? SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1 🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network 🧠 Resources Mentioned: Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies. Keywords number lines math math number line math intervention math strategies for struggling students neurodivergent learners math ADHD math strategies dysgraphia math conceptual math teaching math teaching mistakes why students struggle with math math tools explained elementary math instruction math sense making bar models math 120 chart math math for homeschoolers special education math math pedagogy mastery math tier 1 interventions

    24 min
  4. Why Number Lines Break Kids (And How to Fix Them)

    12/23/2025

    Why Number Lines Break Kids (And How to Fix Them)

    What’s wrong with number lines in math instruction? They’re among the most widely used tools in classrooms and among the most damaging when introduced too early. In this episode of Tier One Interventions, we put number lines on trial. Number lines are highly abstract representations of quantity, yet many students are expected to use them before they have built the concrete, visual foundations required to understand them. This often leads to confusion, guessing, shutdown, and long-term gaps in math understanding, especially for neurodivergent learners, students with ADHD, dysgraphia, or working-memory challenges. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why number lines are more abstract than teachers realizeWhy students freeze on number line problemsHow number lines can break math understanding instead of building itThe missing instructional steps between concrete and abstract mathWhy tools like the 120 chart, arrays, rectangles, bar models, and paper strips must come before number linesHow improper sequencing affects fact fluency, fractions, and algebraWhat to do when number lines appear on tests This conversation is essential for: Elementary teachersSpecial education teachersMath interventionistsHomeschool parentsParents of neurodivergent learnersAnyone teaching math conceptuallyIf your students understand math one day and lose it the next, the problem may not be the student — it may be the tool. 👉 Want to see the full instructional progression step-by-step? Join one Mastery Math Method Workshop for just $47. https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Why Math Isn’t Sticking 01:08 – What “Teaching Math Backwards” Really Means 02:40 – Why A’s Don’t Equal Mastery 04:12 – Answer-Getting vs Mathematical Thinking 06:05 – The Power of Structure in Math 08:10 – Rectangles, Arrays, and Visual Models 10:02 – Diamond Problems Explained 12:25 – Early Algebra Starts Sooner Than You Think 14:40 – Why Exposure Beats Memorization 17:05 – Teaching for Reasoning and Sense-Making 19:10 – What Tier 1 Math Interventions Should Look Like 21:30 – How to Fix Math Instruction Moving Forward 23:45 – Next Steps: Learn the Mastery Math Method 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days? 👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar 🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go? SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1 🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network 🧠 Resources Mentioned: Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies. Keywords number lines math math number line math intervention math strategies for struggling students neurodivergent learners math ADHD math strategies dysgraphia math conceptual math teaching math teaching mistakes why students struggle with math math tools explained elementary math instruction math sense making bar models math 120 chart math math for homeschoolers special education math math pedagogy mastery math tier 1 interventions

    20 min
  5. We're Teaching MATH Backwards

    12/16/2025

    We're Teaching MATH Backwards

    We’re teaching math backwards — and it’s one of the biggest reasons students struggle with understanding, retention, and confidence. In this Tier 1 Interventions episode, Jonily Zupancic explains why traditional math instruction focuses too heavily on answers rather than thinking and how that sequencing mistake creates fragile learning. When students can get correct answers but can’t explain their reasoning, transfer skills, or retain concepts, the issue isn’t effort or intelligence. It’s how math is being taught. Using real classroom examples and student work, you’ll learn: Why answer-getting doesn’t equal math masteryHow visual math structures (rectangles, arrays, diamond problems) support understandingWhy early algebra exposure should begin in elementary schoolHow Tier 1 math interventions can reduce frustration and build confidenceWhat it means to teach math for thinking, reasoning, and sense-making This video is for: Elementary and middle school teachersMath interventionists and specialistsHomeschool parentsEducators supporting struggling or neurodivergent learners 👉 Want to see the full system in action? You can experience one Mastery Math Method workshop for just $47 and walk step-by-step through the approach used in this video. 👉 Want to experience the full workshop? You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here. https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Why Math Isn’t Sticking 01:08 – What “Teaching Math Backwards” Really Means 02:40 – Why A’s Don’t Equal Mastery 04:12 – Answer-Getting vs Mathematical Thinking 06:05 – The Power of Structure in Math 08:10 – Rectangles, Arrays, and Visual Models 10:02 – Diamond Problems Explained 12:25 – Early Algebra Starts Sooner Than You Think 14:40 – Why Exposure Beats Memorization 17:05 – Teaching for Reasoning and Sense-Making 19:10 – What Tier 1 Math Interventions Should Look Like 21:30 – How to Fix Math Instruction Moving Forward 23:45 – Next Steps: Learn the Mastery Math Method 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days? 👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar 🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go? SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1 🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network 🧠 Resources Mentioned: Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies. Keywords teaching math backwards math mastery vs memorization Tier 1 math interventions math intervention strategies why students struggle in math visual math models early algebra instruction math sense making elementary math teaching strategies math for neurodivergent learners 🏷️ Hashtags #MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

    15 min
  6. Why As don't equal mastery

    12/11/2025

    Why As don't equal mastery

    Why do students earn A’s in math… yet still struggle to pass state tests? In today’s episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic uncover the hidden truth behind traditional grading: grades measure compliance—NOT mastery. You’ll learn why “good students” often carry the deepest learning gaps, how traditional grading systems mislead parents and teachers, and what REAL mastery looks like inside a math classroom. ✔ Why A’s don’t equal mastery ✔ Why compliant students still have conceptual gaps ✔ How nonlinear instruction strengthens the math brain ✔ Why multitasking is a myth (and what switch-tasking really is) ✔ How to redesign math learning around true understanding ✔ The 3 visual anchors that transform math thinking: Lockers, Rectangles & Pizzas If you’re a teacher, homeschool parent, interventionist, or administrator who wants students to actually understand math—not just earn grades—this episode is essential.  Drop your favorite math jingles in the comments. 👉 Want to experience the full workshop? You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here. https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome + Why This Episode Matters 00:37 – Nonlinear Teaching & The 12 Song Story 01:33 – Why Traditional Learning Fails Many Students 02:27 – Multitasking vs. Switch-Tasking 03:58 – Nonlinear Thinking in Math Instruction 05:53 – When “Good” Students Struggle Most 06:45 – The Parent Question That Exposed the Problem 08:12 – Straight A’s but Failing State Tests 09:40 – Why Grades Don’t Measure Mastery 11:00 – Teachers Sound Off on Grading Scales 12:30 – Compliance vs. Understanding 13:18 – Why We Need Mastery-Based Grading 14:05 – Humor, Memory & Celine Dion 15:10 – Type A vs. Type Z Teachers 16:40 – What Needs to Change in Math Education 17:00 – Closing + Next Week’s Teaser 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days? 👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar 🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go? SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1 🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network 🧠 Resources Mentioned: Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies. 🏷️ Hashtags #MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

    17 min
  7. Why students Zone Out constantly

    12/03/2025

    Why students Zone Out constantly

    Students aren’t zoning out because they’re bored — they’re zoning out because their brains literally can’t do what we’re asking them to do. In this episode, Cheri Dotterer, MS, OTR, and math leader Jonily break down the neuroscience behind attention, dopamine, novelty, and why every classroom hits the same predictable “zoning-out moment.” You’ll learn: Why students can only focus for their age in minutesThe 7-second dopamine cycle that sabotages attentionWhy novelty (singing, movement, humor) instantly resets the brainWhy music activates learning before visual or auditory channelsWhy rectangles are the single most powerful structure in mathHow interleaving and iteration outperform linear teachingHow skip-counting by 12s rewires numerical fluencyWhy U.S. math scores suffer — and how to fix it tomorrow If you’ve ever asked, “Why do my students suddenly check out?” — this episode is the answer. Drop your favorite math jingles in the comments. 👉 Want to experience the full workshop? You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here. https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 — Welcome to Tier One Interventions 00:22 — Why focus equals age in minutes 01:05 — The 7-second dopamine attention loop 01:40 — Students WANT to focus but their brains can’t 02:10 — Novelty triggers that instantly reset attention 03:25 — Why music activates learning before anything else 03:54 — Math jingles that rewire memory 04:28 — Why skip-counting by 12s accelerates mastery 05:08 — Rectangles: the most powerful structure in math 05:45 — Whisper counting + dot arrays for deep understanding 06:30 — The “loud number” mistake and why it’s productive 07:30 — Iteration vs. repetition: the real difference 08:18 — Interleaving: the brain’s preferred learning method 09:05 — Jumping from 2 twelves to 12 twelves (nonlinear learning) 10:05 — Why U.S. math scores are failing 11:30 — The winning formula: structure + novelty + repetition 12:05 — Wrap-up and $47 workshop invitation 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days? 👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar 🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go? SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1 🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network 🧠 Resources Mentioned: Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies. 🏷️ Hashtags #MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

    14 min
  8. WHY Your Math Curriculum Isn’t Working

    11/25/2025

    WHY Your Math Curriculum Isn’t Working

    If you’ve ever wondered why your students still don’t “get” math—even with all the new textbooks, intervention programs, small groups, apps, and training—this episode will change everything. In today’s conversation, Cheri and Jonily pull back the curtain on the brutal truth: 👉 The problem isn’t your students. The problem isn’t you. The problem is the system. Math scores across the U.S. have crashed to historic lows. Tier 2 and Tier 3 groups are overflowing. Teachers are exhausted. Kids are frustrated. And the curriculum you were handed is not built to fix any of it. Inside this episode, you’ll learn:🔸 The REAL reason your math curriculum keeps failing 🔸 Why “teaching harder” never moves the needle 🔸 How mental load, attention spans, and dopamine shape learning 🔸 Why rhythm, novelty, and movement unlock mathematical thinking 🔸 How lockers, rectangles, and pizzas explain EVERYTHING about math success 🔸 The shocking data from real classrooms (54% → 84%, 27% → 60%, and more) 🔸 Why 3rd graders can learn so much more than we think 🔸 What schools must change NOW to reverse the decline This isn’t another “curriculum review.” This is the root cause of the math crisis in America—and the brain-based pathway out of it. If you’ve ever sat in your classroom thinking, “Why aren’t they getting it? What am I missing?” …this episode will finally give you the answer. 👉 Want to experience the full workshop? You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Tier One Interventions Podcast 00:28 – Why today’s session starts at a higher math level 01:00 – Why Tier 1—not Tier 3—is the real issue 02:00 – The rising crisis of U.S. math scores 03:10 – Why kids “don’t get math” (and it’s not aptitude) 04:05 – Why Tier 2 and Tier 3 are overloaded 05:00 – What Tier One Interventions actually solve 06:20 – Evidence from real classrooms: 54% → 84%, 27% → 60%, and more 07:45 – Second graders eliminating all “red/yellow” scores in 6 weeks 09:15 – Why this workshop series matters 10:05 – Connecting Mastery Math Method to today’s episode 11:00 – Lockers, Rectangles, Pizzas… and why it works 11:30 – Using music and rhythm to re-trigger attention 12:20 – The neuroscience of rhythm-based learning 13:00 – Crossing midline, movement, rhythm, and subconscious learning 14:10 – How 14-year-olds signal when their brains need novelty 15:00 – Lighting, environmental shifts, and novelty triggers 16:00 – The attention-span research that guides your timing 16:55 – Episode wrap-up + teaser for next week 17:10 – CTA: Experience one workshop for $47 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days? 👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar 🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go? SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1 🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network 🧠 Resources Mentioned: Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies. 🏷️ Hashtags #MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

    17 min
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Math intervention, writing intervention, neurobiology, and cognitive-based learning - Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer are sharing how to incorporate them into your classroom. Jonily is a secondary math teacher and instructional coach for math K-12. Cheri is an occupational therapist specializing in neurology-based treatment across the lifespan and a Strategy-based Interventionist. Jonily secretly calls Cheri her Lesson Plan Whisperer because Cheri is always in her head, reminding her of the foundations of development before academics begin. They met in 2018 and have been talking ever since. Together, they have discovered the Miracle Math Classroom. This classroom embeds all math standards from Kindergarten to twelfth grade, plus neuro-based interventions that improve proficiency and boost student engagement. Both gifted and learning support students thrive using the interventions they share, plus all students in between. Using cognitive enhancing techniques strategically placed in the lesson plan, students learn more and enjoy school more, and fewer students get removed from critical instruction for Tier Three Interventions. Jonily has discovered how to teach all Kindergarten through algebra math standards using twelve, that’s right, twelve Reference Tasks. They include the Pizza Problem, 120-Chart, Paper Folding, Making Rectangles, Quick Dots, Locker Problem, Jesse and Kay, Geoboard, Candy Problem, Paint Problem, Staircase, and the Function Machine. Cheri uses Body-Brain Anchors to ignite the flame inside everyone’s brain for learning. Whether a person is five or 90, her strategy-based interventions will ignite that flame. These Brain-Body Anchors include the Handstand Flip, Interlaced Bilateral Integration, and the Body Sentence Alphabet. Together, they connect the puzzle behind math instruction and instructional delivery alongside these cognitive-enhancing activities to maximize math education for all students. Join us live on the third Saturday of the month, sans July, for the math behind the Reference Task. Every live event is approximately 2.5 contact hours. The first 30-ish minutes become this podcast. To hear the entire training, join our membership program. Please note: we will not record on holiday weekends. Join our mailing list for updates on dates. To join us live, register at Tier1interventions.com. The 2.5-hour sessions include the PowerPoint slides, additional audio files of Jonily teaching the Reference Task, resources from Cheri, and much more. A subscription to these 2.5-hour Workshops is $97/month or $947/year. Membership includes: *Approximately 27.5 hours of direct training per year *Audio files of Jonily's Hear Me Teach segments - complete *PowerPoint Slides to grab and use in your Magic Math Classroom *Resources from Jonily and Cheri for you and your students *A copy of Math DYSconnected when released. Or, you can listen to the first segment on your favorite podcast app for free; no membership is required. No matter how you listen, you will come away with golden nuggets that will transform your classroom. Reach out to Jonily: jonily@mindsonmath.com Reach out to Cheri: info@cheridotterer.com Tier1Interventions.com

Information

  • Creator
    Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Minds on Math, LLC and Dotterer Educational Consulting
  • Show Website
    Tier 1 Interventions