46 episodes

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.

Schoolin' Around Schoolin' Around by Branching Minds

    • Education
    • 4.9 • 26 Ratings

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.

    MTSS Explained: How To Apply an MTSS Mindset to Your PD

    MTSS Explained: How To Apply an MTSS Mindset to Your PD

    In this episode, Larissa discusses how to apply the MTSS mindset to professional development (PD) for adults. She highlights the need for effective PD and many teachers' dissatisfaction with the quality of their learning experiences. Larissa emphasizes the importance of differentiating PD for adult learners and explains how to assess their needs and engage them in their learning. She also explores the concept of flipped learning and how it can maximize the impact of PD sessions. Larissa suggests differentiating PD for different roles within the MTSS process and provides strategies for scaffolding new staff members into the MTSS practice. She concludes by emphasizing the importance of ongoing support and coaching for educators.
    Resources: 
    Guide: https://www.branchingminds.com/administrators-guide-supporting-teachers-mtss 
    Blog: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/adult-learning-theory-mtss-professional-development 
    Blog: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/4-considerations-for-supporting-educators-in-mtss-professional-development 
    Webinar: https://www.branchingminds.com/webinars/mindset-is-a-resource 
    Takeaways
    Effective professional development is crucial for supporting teachers and improving student outcomes.Differentiate professional development for adult learners based on their needs and preferences.Apply the MTSS mindset to professional learning by providing systematic and differentiated PD for educators.Scaffold new staff members into the MTSS practice and provide ongoing support and coaching.
    Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website, branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. Newsletter (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0)  Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. 

    • 15 min
    EdHotTake – Arts and Electives Classes, a Forgotten Element in MTSS?

    EdHotTake – Arts and Electives Classes, a Forgotten Element in MTSS?

    In this conversation, Larissa and Lindsay discuss the role of arts and elective classes in developing the whole child. They highlight the importance of belonging and connectedness, shared experiences and a sense of responsibility, learning soft skills and reinforcing job skills, overcoming challenges and building resilience, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, and learning life skills and the consequences of choices. They emphasize the significance of electives and arts classes in providing a more robust educational experience and acknowledge the impact of teachers in creating safe spaces for students.

    Resources:
    Article: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/4-ways-electives-and-arts-classes-support-mtss

    Takeaways:
    --Arts and elective classes provide opportunities for students to work with their creativity, develop self-expression, and foster a sense of belonging.
    --These classes offer a safe space for students to explore their interests and develop a shared sense of responsibility.
    --Electives and arts classes help students learn soft skills and reinforce job skills that are important for their future professional lives.
    --Students in these classes learn to overcome challenges, build resilience, and develop critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
    --The experiences and skills gained in electives and arts classes contribute to the development of the whole child and should be valued in education.

    Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

    • 17 min
    Ask an Expert: Why Mental Health in Schools is a Big Deal

    Ask an Expert: Why Mental Health in Schools is a Big Deal

    Dr. Essie Sutton, the Director of Learning Science at Branching Minds, discusses the connection between student mental health and academic performance. It is well-established that these two factors are deeply connected, with poor mental health impacting a student's ability to focus and engage in learning. This relationship is bi-directional, with academic performance also influencing mental health. However, there are barriers to addressing mental health issues in schools, such as limited resources and a focus on academic priorities.

    Resources:
    Read-- https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/supporting-students-social-emotional-behavioral-needs-referrals-interconnected-systems-framework
    Watch-- https://www.branchingminds.com/webinars/integrating-mtss-and-mental-health-supports

    Takeaways:
    -Student mental health and academic performance are deeply connected, with poor mental health impacting a student's ability to focus and engage in learning.
    -The relationship between mental health and academic performance is bi-directional, with academic performance also influencing mental health.
    -Barriers to addressing mental health issues in schools include limited resources and a focus on academic priorities.
    -Creative approaches like flexible scheduling and wellness centers can help address mental health issues in schools.
    -Allocating funds for mental health initiatives is crucial, but focusing on implementing one initiative at a time is important for effective implementation.

    Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

    • 24 min
    What Can We Do About Attendance?

    What Can We Do About Attendance?

    Lindsey Helton, an elementary school principal, discusses the importance of attendance and shares strategies for addressing attendance issues. She emphasizes the need for a strong home-school connection and student-led conferences to empower students and improve attendance. Lindsey also highlights the challenges of high mobility and the importance of treating people with respect and assuming positive intent. She believes that elementary education is the foundation for future success and encourages schools to focus on getting students on grade level.

    Resources:
    Attendance Works: https://www.attendanceworks.org/
    Student Led Conferences: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-led-conferences-resources-ashley-cronin
    Additional Reading: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/mtss-in-tracking-and-supporting-student-attendance

    Takeaways:
    --Building a strong home-school connection is crucial for addressing attendance issues.
    --Student-led conferences empower students and improve attendance.
    --High mobility can be a challenge in addressing attendance.
    --Treating people with respect and assuming positive intent is foundational to effective leadership.
    --Elementary education is the foundation for future success and should focus on getting students on grade level.

    Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

    • 39 min
    MTSS Explained: What Does Fidelity Monitoring Mean for MTSS Interventions?

    MTSS Explained: What Does Fidelity Monitoring Mean for MTSS Interventions?

    In this episode, host, Larissa, explores the concept of fidelity monitoring in MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). Fidelity monitoring refers to the consistent implementation of interventions and assessments to ensure student progress. Larissa highlights the importance of fidelity in intervention implementation and the challenges that can arise when fidelity is lacking. It also discusses the role of fidelity monitoring at the school level and provides strategies for supporting staff and improving fidelity.

    Takeaways:
    Fidelity monitoring is crucial in MTSS to ensure the consistent implementation of interventions and assessments.
    Common challenges to student progress include selecting the wrong intervention, student absences or behavioral issues, and lack of critical features in intervention implementation.
    Fidelity monitoring at the school level involves regular observation and feedback, self-evaluation, and reflection.
    Supporting staff and improving fidelity requires the use of fidelity rubrics, direct observation, and adequate training and follow-up.

    Resources:
    MTSS Implementation Fidelity Reference Guide: https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-implemetation-fidelity-guide
    https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-guide

    Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

    • 10 min
    EduHotTake – Schools Should Be a Community Hub!

    EduHotTake – Schools Should Be a Community Hub!

    In this conversation, Larissa and her guest, Whitley, discuss the importance of schools in the community and how educators can lead the transformation of school-community relationships. They emphasize the need for schools to be viewed as community hubs and highlight the impact that can be achieved through shared goals and stakeholder involvement. They also explore specific ways in which schools can engage with the community, such as partnering with local businesses and organizations, hosting events outside of the school building, and leveraging resources like public libraries. The conversation underscores the significance of building strong connections between schools and the community to support the holistic development of students.

    Takeaways:
    - Schools should be viewed as community hubs, bringing together various stakeholders and resources to create a sense of partnership and shared goals.
    - Engaging with the community can have a positive impact on students, families, and educators, fostering a network of support and investment.
    - Building bridges with the community requires intentional efforts, such as seeking out partnerships, hosting events outside of the school building, and leveraging existing resources.
    - School culture plays a crucial role in community engagement, and it is important to prioritize the heart work of education alongside curriculum and instruction.

    Check out these resources:
    - National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments: Family-School-Community Partnerships: https://bit.ly/3wlqYLx
    - School-Community Learning Partnerships: Essential to Expanded Learning Success: https://bit.ly/3uI7jor
    - https://bit.ly/48q4zK2
    - Branching Minds Guide for Community and Families: https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-guide-for-families


    Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

    • 17 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
26 Ratings

26 Ratings

607919 ,

Informative and Inspiring

I stumbled across Branching Minds through a job posting, and became so eager to learn as much as possible about the company. I found the podcast and was hooked! Larissa is an awesome host and the platform they are giving MTSS practices is revolutionary.

Marty Walter ,

Very informative!

I really enjoyed listening to your discussion with your CEO at Branching Minds. I hold a lot of the same philosophies as both of you since being an educator for 47 years in the area of special needs. I was a high school Special Ed. teacher for 14 years and then a Special Ed administrator for 16 years as the Director of the program. I’m now semi-retired and still working part time as a school improvement specialist and Sp. Ed. Consultant now for 17 years. I keep thinking I will work myself out of a job and they keep calling me back, lol!! To me, it’s all about relationships and the trust you build while seeking inclusivity and success for children. It was so refreshing hearing Maya say everything she’s doing as a CEO is exactly the same as when she was a teacher. I couldn’t agree more; it’s what guides me as well!! Thank you both for expanding my mind and affirming so much of what is at the core of my existence!! Bravo, Ms. Marty Walter, M. Ed. Dallas, TX

Mayamol1000 ,

So insightful and fun!

A breath of fresh air 💕

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