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 Students Forget Math — And 3 Problems That Fix It

    3D AGO

    Why Students Forget Math — And 3 Problems That Fix It

    Why do so many students forget math concepts just weeks after learning them? In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, we explore three powerful math problems that help build real fluency and long-term understanding. Instead of relying on memorization or repetitive worksheets, these problems help students connect ideas, recognize patterns, and strengthen mathematical thinking. When students experience math through meaningful tasks, they retain what they learn and apply it more confidently. This video is Session 1 of a 10-part series exploring instructional strategies that improve math fluency, student independence, and deeper conceptual understanding. In this session, we discuss: • Why students often forget math after instruction • The difference between memorization and fluency • Three math problems that strengthen mathematical thinking • How these tasks help students retain concepts over time These ideas come from real classroom experience and are designed to support teachers, interventionists, and specialists in helping students truly understand mathematics—not just complete assignments. 📚 Session 1 of 10 in the Math Fluency Series If you work with students who struggle to retain math concepts, this series will help you rethink how fluency is built in the classroom. 👍 Subscribe to Tier 1 Interventions for more strategies that improve math learning and student success. 🔗 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. Contact jonily@mindsonmath.com 👇 Comment below: Where do you see kids getting stuck most often in math? ⏱ Timestamps 0:28 About This Series: October Workshop Excerpts 0:45 The Three Concepts That Build Math Fluency 1:00 Lesson Structure for Today’s Session 1:35 The Classroom Story Begins 2:20 Observing Teaching in Action 3:00 The CES Framework: Culture • Essentials • Seasons 4:10 Why Traditional Math Instruction Often Fails 5:00 What to Avoid: Telling Too Much Too Soon 6:20 How to Create Better Math Learning Environments 7:05 Classroom Observation Story 8:10 Teaching Math Across Grade Levels 9:05 Real Classroom Activity: Measuring Height and Weight 10:10 Why Bar Graphs May Limit Learning 11:00 A Better Approach: Two-Variable Graphs 12:05 Preparing Students for Secondary Mathematics 13:05 Patterns and Relationships in Data 14:10 Why Early Math Experiences Matter 🎯 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

    16 min
  2. Why Tier 1 Done Right Changes Everything

    MAR 3

    Why Tier 1 Done Right Changes Everything

    If you implement Tier 1 with clarity and consistency, something changes. There’s no panic before testing. No frantic last-minute review. No emotional overload in March. In this final episode of the Tier One Interventions series, we unpack what “mission accomplished” really means. You’ll hear how the 5-season instructional model creates stability, how finishing content early shifts the emotional climate of your classroom, and why trust in the system removes the “hurry up and huddle” mindset many educators live in all year. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things in the right order. If you want math instruction that builds confidence, regulation, and long-term number sense, this episode brings the entire series together. — Ready to go deeper? Level 2 coaching details are linked in the show notes. If Tier 1 instruction feels harder every year — this episode explains why. 📌 This is Part 6 of a 6-part series on rebuilding Tier 1 math from the ground up. 🔗 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? ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & “Mission Accomplished” 02:10 The Power of Season 3 04:15 What Happens When You Finish Early 06:05 Season 4: Teaching Without Panic 07:40 Season 5 Reality (Let’s Be Honest) 08:30 Running a Mock Season in May 09:40 Kindergarten Foundations: Counting & Rectangles 11:00 How to Join Tier 1 Interventions Level 2 🎯 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

    13 min
  3. The Tier 1 Strategy That Builds Number Sense

    FEB 24

    The Tier 1 Strategy That Builds Number Sense

    In this episode of Tier One Interventions, we unpack the instructional model behind Math in a Month,  a 30-day structure designed to build real number sense through intentional iteration. Instead of racing through disconnected units, this Tier 1 strategy divides the semester into structured fifths, allowing students to revisit essential concepts with increasing depth and mastery. We discuss: • Why repetition over time builds durable learning • How to define instructional essentials • Why square roots and radicals belong earlier than you think • How to use textbooks strategically without surrendering your instructional design • What “don’t steal the struggle” really means in math classrooms This episode is for math teachers, interventionists, special educators, and instructional leaders who want a systematic approach to building number sense — not quick tricks. If you’re ready to rethink how math mastery develops, this conversation will give you a structural lens for Tier 1 instruction. To join a live session or access the full 2.5-hour coaching model, check the link in the show notes. If Tier 1 instruction feels harder every year — this episode explains why. 📌 This is Part 3 of a 7-part series on rebuilding Tier 1 math from the ground up. Part 4/7 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? ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Mission Accomplished 01:00 – Season 3: Math in a Month Explained 02:00 – Why the Semester Is Divided into Fifths 03:00 – Using Textbooks Strategically (Not Randomly) 04:00 – Defining Instructional Essentials 05:00 – Why Radicals and Square Roots Matter 06:00 – Teaching Square Roots in Second Grade 08:00 – The Pizza Model for Building Conceptual Understanding 10:00 – Letting Students Struggle (Don’t Steal the Process) 11:00 – Why High Schoolers Still Say √100 = 50 12:30 – Iterative Exposure and Fact Fluency 14:00 – Structuring January as Math in a Month 15:00 – Invitation to Tier One Interventions Coaching 🎯 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

    16 min
  4. How Math Should Be Taught in Seasons

    FEB 10

    How Math Should Be Taught in Seasons

    Math isn’t failing because teachers aren’t working hard enough. It’s failing because it’s being taught in the wrong structure. In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, we introduce a seasonal model for math instruction that replaces chapter-by-chapter pacing with intentional exposure, coherence, and up-leveling across the year. You’ll learn why the first 15 days of school matter more than any other time, how exposing all essential math content before December changes retention, and why mastery should come after exposure—not before. This episode is for math teachers, instructional coaches, interventionists, and district leaders who are ready to stop racing textbooks and start building systems that actually work. This episode is especially relevant for district leaders, instructional coaches, math teachers, interventionists, and anyone responsible for Tier 1 math outcomes. 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 3 of a 7-part series on rebuilding Tier 1 math from the ground up. Part 4/7 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 0:00 – Why math should be taught in seasons 1:05 – The hidden problem with “finishing everything” 2:35 – Why traditional pacing guarantees failure 4:15 – Season One: the First 15 Days explained 6:20 – Why Season One looks the same at every grade 8:10 – Exposure vs mastery (and why we confuse them) 10:05 – How much of the year Season One really is 12:10 – What Season Two is actually for 14:00 – How to revisit essentials without reteaching 16:05 – Why textbooks delay exposure until it’s too late 18:00 – What changes when everything is exposed by December 20:10 – Using assessments to guide later seasons 22:00 – How seasonal teaching supports all learners 23:45 – What Tier 1 systems do differently 25:15 – How to get involved with Tier 1 Interventions 🎯 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

    19 min
  5. What Story Is Math Telling

    FEB 3

    What Story Is Math Telling

    Every school district is telling a math story, whether they realize it or not. In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, we unpack a critical but often overlooked question: What story is your K–12 math system actually telling students? Using the “novel model” for math instruction, this segment challenges traditional pacing guides, chapter-by-chapter textbooks, and the assumption that all standards matter equally. Instead, we explore how defining an ultimate goal, identifying essential chunks, and structuring math instruction in seasons creates coherence, memory, and long-term achievement. If math progress feels stalled, fragmented, or fragile, the issue may not be effort or curriculum, but the story being told. This episode is especially relevant for district leaders, instructional coaches, math teachers, interventionists, and anyone responsible for Tier 1 math outcomes. 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 3 of a 7-part series on rebuilding Tier 1 math from the ground up. Part 4/7 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 0:00 – What story is your math system telling? 1:18 – Why “research-based” is misunderstood 3:05 – The real reason math initiatives stall 4:52 – Defining a single district math goal 7:12 – How early grades shape Algebra success 9:30 – Why not all standards matter equally 12:10 – Essential math chunks explained 15:05 – The 20-day shift that changes everything 18:20 – Math rules that never expire 21:10 – Why we teach operations in the wrong order 24:10 – Exposure vs mastery (the novel model) 27:05 – Why chapter-by-chapter fails the brain 29:40 – The hidden mistakes sabotaging math 32:10 – What Tier 1 systems do differently 🎯 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

    21 min
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Minds on Math, LLC and Dotterer Educational Consulting
  • Show Website
    Tier 1 Interventions

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