Name: “This is the Way Cass Does It”: Building a Coherent MTSS System for Tier 1 Literacy in a Rural District
Start: 2026-11-20T11:45:00-0500
End: 2026-11-20T13:00:00-0500

“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:

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

Speakers

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 →

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

Breakout Session

2026 MiMTSS Conference

Yara Neuerburg

Josh Townsley

Get help with the event

2026 MiMTSS Conference

Yara Neuerburg

Josh Townsley

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