2026 MiMTSS Conference: Full Schedule

8:00am EST

Check In and Breakfast

Thursday November 19, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am EST

8:45am EST

Welcome and Introductions

Thursday November 19, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am EST

9:00am EST

Wired to Lead Fast: The Systems Behind Extraordinary Results

Thursday November 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EST

Speakers

David Moore

Superintendent, School District of Indian River County

Thursday November 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EST

Keynote Session

10:00am EST

Transition Break

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am EST

Transition

10:15am EST

An Examination of Effective Instruction, Student Behavior, and Anxiety in Classroom Instruction

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

This session provides an overview of high-probability practices for fostering student success in the classroom. The focus will be on both practical strategies that teachers can engage in during their typical day and the degree to which teacher-student relationships are important and can be enhanced in simple ways.Learner Objectives:Participants will...Understand that teachers control the...
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Speakers

Terrance M. Scott, Ph.D.

Professor and Director, University of Louisville

Terrance M. Scott is a Professor and Distinguished University Scholar in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville where he directs both the Center for Instructional and Behavioral Research in Schools and the Kentucky Reading Research Center... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Breakout Session

10:15am EST

Including Students with Extensive Support Needs within the PBIS Framework

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

This session explores how schools can meaningfully include students with extensive support needs (ESN) within the PBIS framework so that every student benefits from a cohesive, tiered system of support. Drawing on current research, we will examine common barriers that limit the participation of students with ESN in PBIS, including issues related to accessibility, misconceptions, and...
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Speakers

Virginia Walker

Professor, UNC Charlotte

Virginia L. Walker is a professor in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Walker’s research focuses on positive behavioral interventions and supports for students with extensive support needs (ESN), supports... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Breakout Session

10:15am EST

Maximizing MTSS Impact: Team-Based and Collective Leadership for Dyslexia and Literacy-Focused Change

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Implementing MTSS with fidelity to support students with dyslexia and other literacy challenges requires more than frameworks and data. It requires intentional leadership that builds shared ownership, trust, and coherence across systems to ensure all students receive the supports they need. This session explores how team-based and collective leadership serve as critical drivers for sustainable...
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Speakers

Dawn Brookhart

Consultant, Ed Cap Consulting, LLC.

Dawn Brookhart, M.A.T., M.Ed., is an instructional leader and systems strategist with three decades of experience helping schools, districts, and state agencies translate research into effective, sustainable practice. A committed advocate for the science of reading, she empowers educators... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Breakout Session

10:15am EST

Small Group Instruction in the Structured Literacy World

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

In the science of reading era, strong whole-group Tier 1 instruction must inform small-group practice. This session explores "teacher table" necessities that prioritize phonemic awareness, decoding, and encoding. These small-group activities are designed for easy implementation alongside any SOR-based curriculum. Join Jake in exploring a sample planning process that prioritizes well-paced...
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Speakers

Jake Daggett

Literacy Director, K-5, Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy

Jake is an Ohio native who began his teaching career in Milwaukee, WI in 2015. Having specialized in literacy instruction, Jake built a following on social media for his engaging and rhythmic phonics lessons and evidence-based structured literacy practices, even landing him on The... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Breakout Session

10:15am EST

The Impact of Cognitive Load on Instructional Design

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Working memory is not a passive observer in the learning process — it is the gatekeeper and active participant that determines the extent and quality of our learning. It is a critical factor that explains why the learning process can be more labor-intensive for some students than for others. By understanding the limitations of working memory, we can make sense of students' challenges as they...
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Speakers

Jamey Peavler, Ed.D.

Graduate Reading Science Program Director, Assistant Professor, Mount St. Joseph University

Jamey Peavler is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Graduate Reading Science Program at Mount St. Joseph University. Before joining The Mount, Jamey served as the Director of Training for the M.A. Rooney Foundation, providing Orton-Gillingham training for teachers... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Breakout Session

10:15am EST

Tier 2 is More than Just CICO: How to Identify and Adopt Evidence-Based Tier 2 Interventions

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

We will briefly review five categories of Tier 2 interventions and how they can meet varying Tier 2 student needs. Then, we will present how Teams can use the Hexagon Tool to evaluate interventions for evidence of effectiveness and whether it will meet existing Tier 2 needs.Learning Objectives:Identify evidence-based interventions that address student needs associated with conduct issues,...
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Speakers

Sara Estrapala, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Special Education, University of Missouri

Dr. Sara Estrapala is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Her research focuses on Tier 1 and Tier 2 Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Breakout Session

11:30am EST

Lunch

Thursday November 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EST

12:30pm EST

Lunchtime Showcase

Thursday November 19, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm EST

1:00pm EST

Differentiating a Phonics Block for Above, Below, and Multilingual Learners

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

We have made great progress in implementing a strong, interactive Tier 1 phonics block across many states. However, many questions remain: how do we support learners above and below grade level? How do we best serve multilingual learners during Tier 1? What decisions can we make that are both pre-planned and adaptive during live instruction? Join Jake for a model on how to put differentiation into...
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Speakers

Jake Daggett

Literacy Director, K-5, Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Breakout Session

1:00pm EST

From Research to Practice: Structured Literacy Leadership Using the SAILS Instructional Model

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Join Dawn Brookhart in this interactive session to explore the transformative power of the SAILS Instructional Model—a comprehensive, research-based framework designed to elevate literacy outcomes for all students, particularly those with reading difficulties, including dyslexia. Grounded in the work of Hasbrouck & Denton (2005), Hasbrouck & Michel (2022), and Michel & Brookhart (2026), the...
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Speakers

Dawn Brookhart

Consultant, Ed Cap Consulting, LLC.

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Breakout Session

1:00pm EST

Leveraging Student Voice in Behavior Intervention Planning

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Providing opportunities for student voice can improve the cultural responsiveness of interventions and lead to stronger outcomes. I will describe a framework for embedding student voice in behavior interventions to address needs across general and special education settings and include findings from a pilot study of a new behavior intervention. Learning Objectives:Describe the relationship...
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Speakers

Sara Estrapala, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Special Education, University of Missouri

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Breakout Session

1:00pm EST

Maximizing the Benefit of Small Group Instruction

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Instructional time spent in a small-group setting is a precious commodity. We must use it thoughtfully and intentionally because even the most well-designed independent activities are less effective than time with a skilled teacher. Therefore, our first goal is to prevent the number of students who require small-group interventions. We can accomplish this by solidifying our core instruction and...
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Speakers

Jamey Peavler, Ed.D.

Graduate Reading Science Program Director, Assistant Professor, Mount St. Joseph University

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Breakout Session

1:00pm EST

MTSS and Adolescent Literacy: Planning for Literacy Interventions to Accelerate Growth

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

This professional learning session provides secondary educators with critical information to implement MTSS in middle and high school settings. Too often, secondary interventions focus on homework help and accommodating struggling readers, rather than teaching the skills necessary for literacy. This session will prepare educators to implement MTSS systems and structures and to use a...
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Speakers

Michelle J. Elia, EdD

Assistant Professor, Marietta College

Dr. Michelle Elia is an assistant professor at Marietta College, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in reading science. A special education teacher at heart, she has served in diverse roles at the school, regional, and state levels. As a professional learning provider, Elia... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Breakout Session

1:00pm EST

Supporting the Behavioral Needs of Students with Extensive Support Needs: The Power of Communication

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Some students with extensive support needs (ESN) may have elevated behavioral support needs that necessitate individualized behavior support plans. In this session, information about building and implementing individualized, communication-based supports to address these behavioral support needs will be shared with a particular focus on function-based thinking.Learning Objectives:Identify the role...
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Speakers

Virginia Walker

Professor, UNC Charlotte

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Breakout Session

1:00pm EST

The Basics of Classroom Management and Responses to Escalating Misbehavior

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

This session provides an overview of the basic foundations of effective classroom management - including scheduling, the physical environment, and responding to behavior. Videos will be used to demonstrate high-probability responses to typical student escalations and misbehaviors.Learner Objectives:Participants will...Understand how misbehavior can be prevented through effective classroom...
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Speakers

Terrance M. Scott, Ph.D.

Professor and Director, University of Louisville

Thursday November 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EST

Breakout Session

2:15pm EST

Transition Break

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:15pm - 2:30pm EST

Transition

2:30pm EST

Beyond the Benchmark: Designing Instruction that Works for Every Student

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Using the MDE MTSS Practice Profile as our guide, we leverage a robust Tier 1 foundation to differentiate support across all tiers. We ensure that data-based decision-making is the driver of instructional change at every level. Our tiered system uses the evidence-based practices from UFLI Foundations, Collaborative Literacy, and The Reading Comprehension Blueprint Activity Book by Nancy...
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Speakers

Dr. Denise Lilly

Executive Director of Elementary Education, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Dr. Denise Lilly serves as Executive Director of Elementary Education for Plymouth-Canton Schools. With experience as an elementary principal, middle and high school teacher and administrator, and Director of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department, she champions inclusive... Read More →

Jan Douglas, Lori Monteith, & Dr. Denise Lilly

K-5 Curriculum Coordinator /Literacy COSA/Executive Director of Elementary Education, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Lori Monteith

District Literacy Coach, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Lori Monteith is the Literacy COSA for Plymouth-Canton Schools. With experience as an elementary teacher, literacy interventionist, and instructional coach, she partners with educators to shift mindsets and implement research-based strategies aligned with the science of reading, driving... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Breakout Session

2:30pm EST

Levers for Literacy Success in Adolescent Literacy

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Adolescents who struggle to read often struggle to learn. While secondary educators are not expected to teach students how to read within their content classes, every teacher plays an essential role in helping students access complex texts, build knowledge, and deepen comprehension. This session explores the high-impact instructional "levers" that improve literacy across all disciplines without...
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Speakers

Michelle J. Elia, EdD

Assistant Professor, Marietta College

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Breakout Session

2:30pm EST

Not All Programs Are Created Equal: Selecting an Evidence-Based Intervention Program

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

This session focuses on strengthening participants' ability to evaluate and select a validated intervention program using research-based frameworks, ensuring alignment with student needs and evidence-based practices. This highly interactive session will include connections to Public Act 146 and the National Center on Intensive Intervention's (NCII) Taxonomy of Intervention Intensity: Academic...
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Speakers

Melissa Nantais, Ph.D., BCBA

K-12 Literacy Dyslexia Specialist, Michigan's MTSS Technical Assistance Center

Dr. Nantais is a K-12 Literacy Dyslexia Specialist with the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center. Melissa focuses on an integrated MTSS framework and intensifying intervention instruction at the advanced tiers. Before joining the TA Center, Melissa worked as a school psychologist, educational... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Breakout Session

2:30pm EST

Stronger Together: Building MTSS Teams from the Ground Up

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

In this session, we will explore the critical role of robust team structures in the successful implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Participants will see examples from two school districts on how to design, sustain, and align teams at both the district and building level to create a seamless, data-informed framework that addresses both academic achievement and behavioral...
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Speakers

Eileen Derengowski

MTSS Coordinator, Walled Lake Consolidated School District

Eileen Derengowski is an MTSS Coordinator with Walled Lake Consolidated School District. She has worked in education since 2004. Eileen started her career at the Van Buren Intermediate School District on the west side of the state as a school social worker. In 2015, her and her family... Read More →

Christine Russell

Directors of MTSS, Oxford Community Schools

Dr. Christine Russell is the Director of MTSS for Oxford Community Schools working from Preschool to 12th grade. Her background is in the areas of school psychology, behavioral management, and data based decision making. She has a Doctorate in Special Education from Western Michigan... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Breakout Session

2:30pm EST

The Power of Explicit Instruction: Voices from the Explicit Instruction Facilitator Network

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Through authentic stories, lessons learned, and evidence of impact, members of the Explicit Instruction Facilitator Network will share how participation in the Network strengthened instructional practices, enhanced educator capacity, and contributed to improved student outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into the implementation process, explore factors that supported successful...
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Speakers

Julie Bourke, NBCT

K12 Literacy Dyslexia Consultant, MiMTSS TA Center

Julie is a nationally board-certified teacher in early/middle childhood literacy with experience as a classroom teacher, an interim elementary principal, and an early literacy coach. Since joining the MiMTSS TA Center in 2024, she has supported schools and teachers across the state... Read More →

Johanna Toth

K-12 Literacy Dyslexia Consultant, MiMTSS TA Center

Johanna has experience as a middle school English Language Arts teacher and interventionist. Since joining the TA Center in 2024, she has supported teachers across the state with Tier 1 secondary literacy instruction, focusing on explicit instruction. She currently co-leads the Explicit... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Breakout Session

2:30pm EST

Using Data to Support Thriving Classrooms

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Join the Merrill Elementary team as we share our journey of strengthening classroom PBIS implementation through the intentional use of data. Over the past two years, our team has developed systems and practices to assess classroom PBIS implementation, use data to guide professional learning and coaching, and embed classroom data into existing school improvement structures. Participants will leave...
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Speakers

Valerie Vandlen

SEBH Professional Learning Specialist, MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center

Valerie's focus at the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center is on developing and training content related to social, emotional, behavioral health supports for improving the overall well-being and instructional environment for students and staff. Prior to working at the TA Center, Valerie... Read More →

Beth Glazier

MTSS Coordinator, Merrill Community School District

Beth Glazier has served as the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Coordinator at Merrill Community Schools for the past eight years. In collaboration with the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center, Beth has successfully led her team in systematizing the district's MTSS framework... Read More →

Jenn Miller

Instructional Coach and Interventionist, Merrill Community School District

Jenn Miller is an Elementary Instructional Coach and MTSS Interventionist at Merrill Elementary in Merrill, Michigan. She is passionate about fostering a school culture where both students and staff can thrive. Through her work supporting instruction, intervention, and collaboration... Read More →

Rebecca Zimmerman

Elementary Principal, Merrill Community School District

Rebecca Zimmerman is the Principal at Merrill Elementary in Merrill, Michigan. Now in her 25th year in education and fifth year as a principal, she is passionate about building a positive school culture where students and staff are challenged to grow, embrace learning, and reach their... Read More →

Thursday November 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:45pm EST

Breakout Session

8:00am EST

Check In and Breakfast

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

8:45am EST

Welcome and Introductions

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...
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Speakers

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

Keynote Session

10:00am EST

Transition Break

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

Transition

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...
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Speakers

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 →

Rebecca Miles

Coach Coordinator/ELA Consultant, Berrien RESA

ELA Consultant

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 →

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

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

Shelley Morgan

Bellevue Community Schools

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

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

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

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

Cory Snider

Principal, Hemlock Public Schools

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

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

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

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

Hannah Philson

Teacher, Homer Community Schools

Several students from the GRIT Leadership class will attend and speak.

Jessica Hackworth

Climate and Culture Consultant, Calhoun ISD

SWPBIS Implementation Facilitator at Calhoun ISD

Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Breakout Session

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 ObjectivesParticipants wil...Describe why the keywords strategy is an...
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Speakers

Sarah Powell

Professor, The University of Texas at Austin

Friday November 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EST

Breakout Session

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

Transition

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...
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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

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...
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Speakers

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 →

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 →

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

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

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

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

Sarah Brown, PhD

Consultant, System Impact Consulting

Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

John Almarode, Ph.D.

Professor of Education, James Madison University

Friday November 20, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EST

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

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

Breakout Session

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...
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Speakers

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

Breakout Session

8:00am EST

8:45am EST

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10:15am EST

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8:00am EST

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11:30am EST

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11:45am EST

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