Little Bits of TLC

Heather Volchko

Welcome to Little Bits of TLC hosted by Heather Volchko, the founder of Threshold Learning Consultancy and The TLC Network. In each episode, you’ll be challenged, entertained, and equipped - all in just a few minutes. You're invited to join conversations navigating the messy and magical seasons of school-based emotional, behavioral, and mental health services because there's always something going on around TLC! We're so glad you're here...

  1. Together, Not Separate: Why Intensive Instruction Must Combine Behaviors and Academics

    5D AGO

    Together, Not Separate: Why Intensive Instruction Must Combine Behaviors and Academics

    In this episode, Heather converses with Marla about High-Leverage Practice number 20, focusing on providing intensive instruction for students who exhibit significant needs beyond the capacity of typical educational settings. In her dynamic role as a behavior consultant, Marla shares insightful narratives and strategies about adapting individual education plans (IEPs) to better service students through Data-Based Individualization (DBI). This episode is a must-listen for educators who are dedicated to refining their approach to intensive student support. The episode explores how educational settings can adapt to the diverse needs of students using a tiered approach. Marla gives an in-depth look at how Tier 3 interventions are crucially different from those at the Tier 2 level, explaining how DBI serves as a framework for decision-making. With experience spanning various interdisciplinary measures, Marla highlights the importance of collaboration among educators, behavioral specialists, and healthcare professionals like occupational and speech therapists. She shares anecdotal evidence and quantitative data that solidify the necessity for intensified, data-driven instruction for students requiring additional support. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth. Join Our Newsletter Stay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now! Follow Us on Social Media Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms! Subscribe to Our Podcast Enjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Support Our Mission Love what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at podcast@thresholdlearning.org — we’d love to hear from you!

    30 min
  2. From Confusion to Clarity: Demystifying Assistive and Instructional Tech

    MAY 11

    From Confusion to Clarity: Demystifying Assistive and Instructional Tech

    In this episode, Heather talks with guest Alex about High-Leverage Practice #19: using assistive and instructional technologies to support students with disabilities. They explore how tools like AAC devices can give nonverbal or minimally verbal students a voice, reduce frustration, and even improve skills like articulation when used intentionally. Beyond communication, technology can serve as a learning aid, a motivator, and a supplement to instruction, helping students engage meaningfully with academic tasks. Alex shares practical strategies for integrating technology in both clinic and classroom settings, including teaching device navigation, balancing reinforcement, and leveraging Universal Design for Learning principles. They emphasize individualized decision-making, baseline assessment, and ongoing feedback to ensure technology enhances skill development rather than replacing it. The episode highlights the importance of collaboration, professional development, and reflective practice in selecting, implementing, and evaluating technology to support student independence and learning outcomes. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth. Join Our Newsletter Stay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now! Follow Us on Social Media Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms! Subscribe to Our Podcast Enjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Support Our Mission Love what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at podcast@thresholdlearning.org — we’d love to hear from you!

    30 min
  3. Connect First: Promoting Active Student Engagement

    MAY 4

    Connect First: Promoting Active Student Engagement

    In this episode, Heather and Lathryelle explore High Leverage Practice #18, focusing on strategies to promote active student engagement. They emphasize the importance of building genuine connections with students by understanding their personalities, preferences, and interests, and meeting them where they are. Engagement is framed as a reciprocal relationship rooted in trust, respect, and fun, which supports both academic and social development. The conversation highlights how practitioners can creatively adapt lessons, incorporate play, and balance challenging tasks with enjoyable activities to maintain motivation. Lathryelle also discusses guiding fellow educators to recognize student cues, adjust strategies, and foster a dynamic classroom environment. The episode underscores that meaningful engagement goes beyond task completion—it’s about connection, observation, and cultivating an enjoyable, inclusive learning experience for every student. Listeners will gain practical insights for creating classrooms where students feel seen, valued, and motivated to participate. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth. Join Our Newsletter Stay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now! Follow Us on Social Media Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms! Subscribe to Our Podcast Enjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Support Our Mission Love what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at podcast@thresholdlearning.org — we’d love to hear from you!

    28 min
  4. Beyond Seating Charts: The Strategy Behind Flexible Grouping

    APR 27

    Beyond Seating Charts: The Strategy Behind Flexible Grouping

    In this episode, we explore High-Leverage Practice #17: using flexible grouping in special education classrooms. Chris shares practical strategies for organizing students into both homogeneous and heterogeneous groups based on learning goals, data, and individual needs, emphasizing the importance of intentionality alongside flexibility. The conversation highlights how thoughtful groupings can support skill development, social interactions, and collaborative learning while managing diverse needs across multiple instructional settings. Chris also discusses how teachers can structure classroom environments, schedules, and staff roles to maintain effective and efficient group instruction without feeling overwhelmed.  Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth. Join Our Newsletter Stay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now! Follow Us on Social Media Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms! Subscribe to Our Podcast Enjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Support Our Mission Love what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at podcast@thresholdlearning.org — we’d love to hear from you!

    30 min
  5. Say It, Show It, Support It: Making Learning Attainable

    APR 20

    Say It, Show It, Support It: Making Learning Attainable

    In this episode, Heather and guest Veroncia explore High-Leverage Practice #16: using explicit instruction to support student learning, especially in low-incidence classrooms. They discuss how clear, systematic, and structured teaching helps students build foundational skills, gain confidence, and eventually develop creativity. Veronica highlights strategies like modeling, guided practice, scaffolding, and progress monitoring, showing how they make complex skills attainable for students with additional needs or limited background knowledge. They also address common misconceptions, emphasizing that explicit instruction is not boring and can include flexibility and personalization. The conversation extends to coaching teachers and instructional assistants, demonstrating how modeling and feedback help educators implement these practices effectively. Throughout, the episode underscores the power of explicit instruction to increase student engagement, reduce frustration, and ensure meaningful learning outcomes for all students. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth. Join Our Newsletter Stay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now! Follow Us on Social Media Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms! Subscribe to Our Podcast Enjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Support Our Mission Love what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at podcast@thresholdlearning.org — we’d love to hear from you!

    24 min
  6. From Struggle to Strategy: Using Scaffolds to Unlock Learning

    APR 13

    From Struggle to Strategy: Using Scaffolds to Unlock Learning

    Heather and Marla explore the power of scaffolded supports in education, emphasizing their role in helping students achieve independence. They discuss strategies like errorless learning and task analysis, highlighting how tailored scaffolding fosters skill acquisition for students with disabilities. Through real-world examples and collaborative insights, they reveal the delicate balance between offering support and cultivating autonomy. Whether in academic settings or life skills contexts, Heather and Marla underscore the importance of responsive and data-driven approaches to crafting effective scaffolding that supports both immediate and long-term student success. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth. Join Our Newsletter Stay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now! Follow Us on Social Media Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms! Subscribe to Our Podcast Enjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Support Our Mission Love what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at podcast@thresholdlearning.org — we’d love to hear from you!

    28 min
  7. More Than Content: Supporting Student Thinking and Self-Regulation

    APR 6

    More Than Content: Supporting Student Thinking and Self-Regulation

    In this insightful episode, we delve into high-leverage practices in teaching cognitive and metacognitive strategies, emphasizing their importance in promoting student independence and self-regulation. With Alex, a seasoned BCBA, as our guide, we explore how these strategies transform learning for students with disabilities, turning abstract concepts into concrete skills that enhance educational success. Throughout the conversation, Alex shares expertise in implementing cognitive strategies like self-management and metacognitive approaches, such as think-alouds and task analysis. These strategies are critical for students, particularly those with disabilities, who often require direct, explicit instruction. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth. Join Our Newsletter Stay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now! Follow Us on Social Media Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms! Subscribe to Our Podcast Enjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Support Our Mission Love what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at podcast@thresholdlearning.org — we’d love to hear from you!

    30 min
  8. One Size Doesn't Fit All: Designing Instruction for Diverse Learners

    MAR 30

    One Size Doesn't Fit All: Designing Instruction for Diverse Learners

    In this enlightening episode, Cass and Heather dive deep into the world of special education, specifically focusing on High Leverage Practice Number 13: Adapting Curriculum Tasks and Materials. The conversation unveils the nuanced and strategic approaches employed by educators to ensure that every student, regardless of their abilities, can achieve their learning goals. Heather, an experienced educator, shares her journey and methodologies, emphasizing the importance of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth. Join Our Newsletter Stay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now! Follow Us on Social Media Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms! Subscribe to Our Podcast Enjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Support Our Mission Love what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at podcast@thresholdlearning.org — we’d love to hear from you!

    34 min
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Trailer

About

Welcome to Little Bits of TLC hosted by Heather Volchko, the founder of Threshold Learning Consultancy and The TLC Network. In each episode, you’ll be challenged, entertained, and equipped - all in just a few minutes. You're invited to join conversations navigating the messy and magical seasons of school-based emotional, behavioral, and mental health services because there's always something going on around TLC! We're so glad you're here...

Information

  • Creator
    Heather Volchko
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Heather Volchko
  • Show Website
    Little Bits of TLC