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2026 MiMTSS Conference
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Friday, November 20
 

8:00am EST

Check In and Breakfast
Friday November 20, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am EST

Friday November 20, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am EST

8:45am EST

Welcome and Introductions
Friday November 20, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am EST

Friday November 20, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am EST

9:00am EST

Keynote: Instruction and Intervention in Math
Friday November 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EST
In this session, we focus on five research-validated practices for math instruction and intervention. We will discuss the importance to building an instructional platform that develops math vocabulary, uses multiple representations, incorporates modeling and practice, builds fluency, and focuses on word-problem solving. 

Learner Objectives:
Participants will...
  • Explain how to develop formal math vocabulary.
  • Describe the three types of representations. Share two ways to build math fact fluency.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Powell

Sarah Powell

Professor, The University of Texas at Austin
Sarah Powell is a Professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Her teaching and research focus on mathematics, particularly for students who experience mathematics differently. 
Friday November 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EST

10:00am EST

Transition Break
Friday November 20, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am EST

Friday November 20, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am EST

10:15am EST

Every Minute Matters: Building a WINN System That Transforms Literacy Outcomes
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST
Many schools face a daunting reality: if a student is not reading on grade level by mid-first grade, their chances of catching up are as low as 0–12%. Facing stagnant data and a “waiting to fail” intervention model, Niles Community Schools embarked on a comprehensive transformation of their MTSS framework. This session highlights how two schools—Ballard Elementary and Eastside Connections—shifted from isolated “Islands of Intervention” to a cohesive, school-wide “Walk-to-Read” model, supported by a strong partnership with Rebecca Miles and Berrien RESA.

Participants will follow our multi-year journey, from the early stages of “building the plane while flying” with limited Tier 3 pull-outs to the implementation of adult flooding, student sharing, and data-driven WINN (What I Need Now) blocks. We will share strategies used to build staff buy-in, the transition from balanced literacy to structured literacy, and the measurable impact of these changes—including a 30% reduction in students performing well below benchmark in just one year.

The second half of the session is a hands-on workshop. Participants will apply their learning by building master schedules using provided templates and coaching frameworks developed in partnership with Berrien RESA. This work supports the implementation of a Walk-to-Read model that protects intervention time and ensures every student receives targeted instruction aligned to their needs.

Learning Objectives:
  • Participants will learn how to design and implement a schoolwide WINN (What I Need Now) intervention block that uses real-time data to drive flexible grouping and targeted instruction.
  • Participants will understand how to build sustainable MTSS systems through strategic scheduling, staff collaboration, and partnerships (such as with RESA) to move beyond a “waiting to fail” model.
  • Participants will leave with practical tools—including scheduling templates and planning frameworks—to create a Walk-to-Read model that ensures every student receives instruction aligned to their specific needs.

Speakers
avatar for Mary Kane

Mary Kane

Reading Intervention Specialist, Niles Community Schools -Eastside Connections School
Mary Kane is a dedicated Reading Interventionist at Eastside Connections School with four decades of experience in the classroom. A native of Niles, Michigan, Ms. Kane’s passion for education began early, inspired by a childhood spent “teaching” the children in her neighborhood... Read More →
avatar for Rebecca Miles

Rebecca Miles

Coach Coordinator/ELA Consultant, Berrien RESA
ELA Consultant
avatar for Melissa Miller

Melissa Miller

Reading Intervention Specialist, Niles Community Schools -Ballard Elementary
Melissa Miller is a Reading Intervention Specialist at Ballard Elementary in Niles Community Schools, where she supports students and staff in implementing evidence-based literacy practices grounded in the Science of Reading. She leads data-driven WINN (What I Need Now) intervention... Read More →
avatar for Jennifer Shabazz

Jennifer Shabazz

Elementary Principal, Niles Community Schools -Ballard Elementary
Jennifer Shabazz is an educational leader with a strong background in both classroom instruction and school administration. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, a Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix, and an administration licensure from Indiana... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

10:15am EST

From Identification to Impact: Using EWIMS to Drive Student Success
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST
EWIMS empowers schools to turn data into action—giving staff the right information at the right time to implement meaningful interventions, celebrate student success, and continuously monitor progress. By identifying students early and responding with targeted support, schools can build and refine systems that ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. 


We implemented the EWIMS process to move from simply identifying students to taking intentional, data-driven action:
  • Established a consistent system to identify students at risk using attendance, behavior, and course performance data (at 20 days and all 4 quarters)
  • Created a bi-weekly progress monitoring cycle to review student data, adjust interventions, and celebrate growth
  • Ensured every student received either support or recognition 
    • Title funds helped support planning, celebrations, and interventions
  • Developed building-wide systems to improve outcomes in attendance, behavior, and academic performance
    • Ex. Attendance building-wide challenges, PBIS reteaching/ celebrations, identifying intervention courses through the DIT MTSS selection process (and hexagon tool)
  • Shifted staff mindset from “identification” to ownership, action, and impact

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:
  • Describe the EWIMS purpose and process, including identification, data analysis, intervention planning, and progress monitoring.
  • Explain the impact of EWIMS implementation on student achievement, attendance, and behavior.
  • Describe and differentiate progress monitoring practices used to evaluate impact and adjust supports for improved student outcomes. 

  • List and explain decision rules used to determine interventions, tier movement, and responsiveness. Describe progress monitoring practices used to evaluate intervention effectiveness and guide instructional adjustments.

Speakers
avatar for Shelley Morgan

Shelley Morgan

Bellevue Community Schools
avatar for Cortney Coats

Cortney Coats

MTSS, Curriculum, Grants, and Continuous Improvement, Bellevue Community Schools
With 22 years in education, I have served students across grades 6–12 as a teacher, MTSS interventionist, assistant principal, and elementary principal. I currently serve as MTSS, Curriculum, Grants, and Continuous Improvement at Bellevue Community Schools, a role created through... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

10:15am EST

How Learning Works and What That Means for our Schools and Classrooms
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST
Over the past several decades years, there has been an explosion of research about around how learning works and the implications of this research on teaching and learning.  How does learning work and how can we translate this information into the art of teaching?  What are the most significant factors that contribute to the learning progressions of your students?  

This workshop unpacks the latest findings from neuroscience, cognitive science, and educational psychology to form what David Daniel initially labeled the promising principles behind learning. Moving from promising principles to hypotheses of practice, we will chart the pathway from research to reality, intention to integration, and potential to practice.  You will walk away with ideas and a plan to more purposefully, intentionally, and deliberately align learning experiences with the science behind what makes learning stick.

Learning Objectives:
  • Describe key findings that explain how learning works in my school/classroom.
  • Develop ways to integrate these findings into specific learning experiences.
Speakers
avatar for John Almarode, Ph.D.

John Almarode, Ph.D.

Professor of Education, James Madison University
When John was 10-years-old, he walked down the hallways of Stuarts Draft Middle School to find his locker and classes on what he believed was a normal "back-to-school" night. However, the moment he walked through the door frame of Room 30, he met his sixth grade science teacher, Ms... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

10:15am EST

Learning How to Dance: Using Attendance to Build an MTSS System That Actually Moves
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST
Learning how to “dance” within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is not always easy, especially when systems feel fragmented, inconsistent, or unclear. This session presents a practical approach to using attendance as a strategic entry point for building a coherent MTSS system that moves from data collection to meaningful, system-wide action.
Grounded in research on early warning systems and MTSS frameworks, this work positions attendance as a leading indicator of student risk and a critical lever for improving access to instruction, engagement, and outcomes. Evidence-based practices highlighted include tiered intervention systems, data-based decision-making cycles, and fidelity tools such as the R-TFI and District Capacity Assessment, ensuring alignment to Michigan’s MTSS framework.
Participants will learn how one Michigan district redesigned its approach to attendance - shifting from passive monitoring to proactive, tiered responses across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. This shift included not only systems and interventions, but also intentional changes in adult language emphasizing presence, belonging, and engagement rather than absence and compliance. As a result, the district saw reductions in chronic absenteeism, earlier identification of student need, and increased consistency in adult practices across buildings.
This session explicitly connects attendance to both academic outcomes and social, emotional, and behavioral health (SEBH), reinforcing its role in improving access to high-quality instruction and supporting student success. Participants will leave with practical, replicable resources, including a tiered attendance framework, data protocols, team structures, and intervention strategies that can be implemented immediately to strengthen MTSS systems in their own contexts.

Learning Objectives:
  • Participants will identify how attendance data can be used as an early warning indicator within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to guide Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 responses.
  • Participants will describe key components of a tiered attendance framework, including aligned data protocols, team structures, and intervention practices that support student engagement and access to instruction.
  • Participants will explain how intentional adult practices, including consistent response systems and the language used to promote presence and belonging, impact student attendance and overall MTSS effectiveness.

Speakers
avatar for Cory Snider

Cory Snider

Principal, Hemlock Public Schools
LB

Lindy Beckman

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Hemlock Public School District
Lindy Beckman serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction in a Michigan public school district, where she focuses on advancing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) through strong systems, data use, and instructional leadership. She works closely with principals and district... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

10:15am EST

MTSS for Tier 1 Reading Improvement: From Students to Systems
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST
The perspective we take with our data determines our next steps. When we look only at student-level data, we end up with a list of students who need intervention and one more thing for teachers to carry. However, when we zoom out to consider patterns across groups, we start to see system opportunities to support educators, not just student problems. In this session, we’ll explore how to balance student-level and system-level data use within MTSS. Participants will consider how to empower educators with agendas and data protocols to address both system and student needs throughout the school year.

Learner Outcomes:
Participants will...
  • Identify the difference between system and student data use within MTSS.
  • Analyze aggregate data using system-level questions to determine next step actions.
  • Discuss local next steps.

Speakers
avatar for Sarah Brown, PhD

Sarah Brown, PhD

Consultant, System Impact Consulting
Sarah Brown, PhD, is a consultant and co-author of the books, Effective Universal Instruction, MTSS for Reading Improvement, and Routines for Reading Results. She empowers schools to maximize reading growth through data-driven MTSS with her MTSS Data Academy. She’s served in roles... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

10:15am EST

Student Lead SWPBIS-Making Big Impacts Using Student Voice
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST
Making SWPBIS work at the high school level can be a challenge.  This session will detail how the student SWPBIS team at Homer is making big impacts using an innovative, student-driven PBIS model. Led by PBIS Lead Hannah Philson, the program centers on a dedicated GRIT leadership elective where students take the reins of school culture.  The GRIT class provides comprehensive PBIS support led by giving students the opportunity to:
  • Create Content: Develop weekly newsletters, instructional lessons, and videos for staff and peers.
  • Drive Data-Based Decision Making: Students help staff analyze monthly referral data to design targeted interventions.
  • Improve Climate of the School: Launch school-wide challenges for students and staff to boost attendance and decrease referrals.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will:
  • Explore the student led PBIS model and see examples of the products and processes the students created and engage in during class.
  • Identify strategies to take back to buildings to build a student led, data-driven culture.
  • Discuss challenges and highlights with the student participants (students will present) and teacher lead.
Speakers
HP

Hannah Philson

Teacher, Homer Community Schools
Several students from the GRIT Leadership class will attend and speak.
JH

Jessica Hackworth

Climate and Culture Consultant, Calhoun ISD
SWPBIS Implementation Facilitator at Calhoun ISD
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

10:15am EST

Word Problems? No Problem!
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST
In this session, we focus word-problem solving. We will discuss two ineffective word-problem strategies. Then, we will review and practice two effective strategies - use of an attack strategy and a focus on common word-problem schemas. Come learn how to make word-problem solving more approachable for your students!

Learner Objectives
Participants wil...
  • Describe why the keywords strategy is an ineffective strategy.
  • Share an example of a word-problem attack strategy.
  • Identify common word-problem schemas.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Powell

Sarah Powell

Professor, The University of Texas at Austin
Sarah Powell is a Professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Her teaching and research focus on mathematics, particularly for students who experience mathematics differently. 
Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

11:30am EST

Transition Break
Friday November 20, 2026 11:30am - 11:45am EST
Snacks will be provided.
Friday November 20, 2026 11:30am - 11:45am EST

11:45am EST

“This is the Way Cass Does It”: Building a Coherent MTSS System for Tier 1 Literacy in a Rural District
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST
Cassopolis Public Schools, a small rural district, is engaged in a multi-year effort to move beyond isolated initiatives toward a coherent Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that strengthens Tier 1 literacy instruction and improves student outcomes. This session highlights how the district is progressing from installation and implementation to system ownership, adapting MTSS frameworks to meet local needs.
 
Participants will explore how our leadership structures (District Implementation Team/District MTSS, School Leadership Teams, and Instructional Advisory Council) use data tools and protocols (such as the District Capacity Assessment, Reading Tiered Fidelity Inventory  (R-TFI), and a data dialogue protocol) to inform continuous improvements. Furthermore, participants will gain insight on how a district MTSS initiative can be cohesively integrated into Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP). The session will emphasize the importance of system coherence, leadership capacity, and data-informed decision-making in moving from compliance to internalization of practice.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will:
  1. Describe how MTSS functions as an integrated system
  2. Identify key structures that support fidelity and sustainability
  3. Apply a coherent process for Tier 1 improvement
  4. Synergize leadership, data and instruction within their own district context to drive students success

Speakers
avatar for Yara Neuerburg

Yara Neuerburg

Director of Instruction, Cassopolis Public Schools
Yara Neuerburg serves as the Director of Instruction, guiding the Adult and Alternative Education Program and the Multilingual Program, and is the MTSS District Coordinator at Cassopolis Public Schools. With a comprehensive K-12 leadership portfolio in New Mexico and Michigan, she... Read More →
JT

Josh Townsley

Director of Instructional Leadership and School Improvement, Heritage Southwest ISD
The highlight of Josh's work is inspiring others in their professional journeys. He has been fortunate to engage in meaningful learning experiences throughout his career and to collaborate with incredible educators from Cass County and various regions across the state. 
Currently, Josh serves as the Director of Instructional Leadership and School Improvement at Heritage Southwest ISD. He began his career as a school psychologist and later took on roles as an Early Intervention Specialist and an MTSS/PBIS Consultant. Throughout his career, he has had... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST

11:45am EST

An Effective Explicit and Systematic Math Intervention
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST
A local district utilizes Delta Math RTI readiness screeners and intervention materials to close achievement gaps for junior high students. Models of service delivery will be shared including small group pull-out sessions with interventionists and/or special education teachers, small group push-in sessions with interventionists, and co-teaching within general education classrooms with special education teachers. 

Participants will gain a conceptual understanding of how to use Delta Math readiness screeners, intervention materials, and progress monitoring tools. Additionally, presenters will share the intervention materials on the Delta Math RTI website, as well as how to organize them for quick and efficient instruction. Outcomes data will be shared, as well as anecdotal feedback from instructors and students.

Learning Objectives:
  • Participants will be able to conceptualize delivering math interventions utilizing the Delta Math RTI materials. 
  • Participants will be able to conceptualize using the Delta Math RTI Readiness Screeners to identify students who may benefit from math interventions, as well as progress monitor their response to intervention.
  • Participants will be able to conceptualize organizing Delta Math RTI intervention materials to be grab and go ready for interventionists.
Speakers
JG

Jared Goff

Special Education Teacher, Meridian Public School District
Jared received his Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University and his Specialist in Education degree in Education Leadership from Arkansas State University. Jared has served students, staff and families in a variety of roles throughout his educational... Read More →
MK

Mike Klavon

Founder/Lead Writer and Director, Delta Math RTI Program, LLC/Retired from Ottawa Area ISD
Mike received his BS in mathematics and secondary math certification from the University of Michigan - Dearborn and Masters in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University.  His experience includes teaching Pre-Algebra through Pre-Calculus courses, co-teaching with special... Read More →
MT

Megan Thompson

MTSS Specialist and School Psychologist Apprentice Field Supervisor, Meridian Public School District
Megan received her School Psychology Master of Science and Specialist in Education degrees from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. As a certified School Psychologist, Megan has worked in a variety of roles from conducting psychoeducational evaluations to building systems of academic... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST

11:45am EST

Including Gifted Learners in MTSS: Ensuring Growth for Every Student
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST
Gifted learners are often overlooked within Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) frameworks, leaving their academic and social-emotional growth needs unmet. This session explores how educators can intentionally incorporate gifted learners into MTSS planning by utilizing the MTSS Practice Profile Components to identify, support, and monitor advanced learner growth. 
By expanding MTSS thinking to include gifted learners, educators can create equitable systems that support achievement, engagement, and well being for all students. Participants will leave with ideas to apply within their schools and districts for continuous growth for all students, including the gifted learners.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify common gaps in MTSS implementation that impact gifted learners.
  • Analyze MTSS Practice Profile Components through a gifted education lens.
  • Develop strategies to incorporate gifted learners into tiered academic and social-emotional supports.
  • Apply MTSS processes to monitor and promote continuous growth for advanced learners.
Speakers
KS

Kelley Senkowski M.Ed.

Gifted Education Consultant, GiftedConsult, LLC
Kelley Senkowski had been a gifted education consultant for the past couple of decades, working with educators of all levels, parents, schools, districts, and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Kelley served on the MDE team that restuctured the current MTSS Practice Profile... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST

11:45am EST

Intervention Effectiveness: From Data to Decisions
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST
Progress monitoring is only as powerful as the actions it informs. In this session, participants will build confidence in using student data to inform next steps. Using system-level questions to guide actions, teams will explore the effectiveness of the interventions they use within their schools. Using real-world scenarios, participants will work through dimensions that determine overall intervention effectiveness, and practice using team agendas and data protocols to identify intervention needs. 


Learner Objectives:
Participants will...
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
  • Compare the effectiveness of multiple interventions.
  • Intensify an intervention.

Speakers
avatar for Sarah Brown, PhD

Sarah Brown, PhD

Consultant, System Impact Consulting
Sarah Brown, PhD, is a consultant and co-author of the books, Effective Universal Instruction, MTSS for Reading Improvement, and Routines for Reading Results. She empowers schools to maximize reading growth through data-driven MTSS with her MTSS Data Academy. She’s served in roles... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST

11:45am EST

Motivation and What Works Best
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST
This interactive workshop explores a research-based approach to understanding and enhancing student motivation and engagement. Participants examine different modalities of engagement, the role of mental models, and key factors that influence motivation, including relationships, task design, and classroom climate. Emphasis is placed on “turning the engagement dial” through intentional instructional moves such as scaffolding, appropriate challenge, and meaningful feedback. Educators will apply evidence-based strategies to design learning experiences that foster curiosity, persistence, and belonging, ultimately developing actionable plans to sustain high levels of engagement for all learners.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the key aspects of motivation.
  • Explain what "turns the dial" of motivation in my learners.
  • Develop tasks that foster, nurture, and sustain motivation and engagement in my classroom.
Speakers
avatar for John Almarode, Ph.D.

John Almarode, Ph.D.

Professor of Education, James Madison University
When John was 10-years-old, he walked down the hallways of Stuarts Draft Middle School to find his locker and classes on what he believed was a normal "back-to-school" night. However, the moment he walked through the door frame of Room 30, he met his sixth grade science teacher, Ms... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST

11:45am EST

School-Based Wraparound: How To Engage School Teams and Families In Effective Tier 3 Behavior Intervention
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST
This session focuses on the Tier 3 school-based wraparound process. Research done by Lucille Eber and others provides the evidence-base for the alignment of multiple systems in this data-driven process. The goal of the school-based wraparound process is to achieve better outcomes for students with the most significant behavioral needs. Often school teams encounter barriers as they work with families, ABA, court systems, etc. The Tier 3 school-based wraparound process engages all student supports including families in a structured, meaningful and data-driven intervention. Real success stories from the field will be highlighted in this session.

Learning Objectives:
  • Participants will be able to identify students who need Tier 3 intervention, specifically students who need an intensive, school-based wraparound intervention. 
  • Participants will be able to facilitate the school-based wraparound process and identify when the process has been successful. 
  • Participants will be equipped to immediately apply the knowledge, skills and resources they receive in this session upon returning to their districts. 
  • Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the types of student behavioral issues they encounter on a daily basis in their work. 
Speakers
avatar for Kayrl Reynoso

Kayrl Reynoso

Lead Behavioral and Affective Specialist, Dearborn Public Schools
Kayrl Reynoso is currently the Lead Behavioral and Affective Specialist with Dearborn Public Schools. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and began her career in 2002 as a school social worker with the Wayne-Westland Community School District... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST

11:45am EST

SWPBIS-TFI 3 Aligned Advanced Tiers: Grandville's Model
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST
We have spent the last several years working to develop and refine a Tier 2 and Tier 3 support model. The focus will be on describing the model we have built here in Grandville, including the structure of teaming, coordinated roles of different teams, student risk identification, matching students to appropriate supports, our T2 intervention platform/grid, the individualized plans available for T3 support, and the process of monitoring intervention delivery and student progress.  Copies of plan templates, intervention platform, and other supporting documentation will be available to session attendees.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to describe the model that Grandville has developed and make compare and contrast to their own models.
    Participants will be able to explain how the model is linked to the SWPBIS-TFI 3.
  • Participants will be able to discuss establishing or refining their own models based on learning and resources in this session.
Speakers
avatar for Jason Glerum

Jason Glerum

District MTSS Coordinator, Grandville Public Schools
Jason Glerum serves as the District MTSS Coordinator at Grandville Public Schools, where he specializes in the strategic implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. With over 25 years of experience in education, the last ten with MTSS, Jason is dedicated to building sustainable... Read More →
Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST
 
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