MTSS How-To: Implementation Workshops

You know the why.
You understand the what.
Now learn the HOW—from the experts who do this work every day.

Saturday, August 1, 2026

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Early Bird Ends May 16

✳︎

Saturday, August 1, 2026 ✳︎ Early Bird Ends May 16 ✳︎

Learn directly from national experts— each leading in their workshop focus.

These full-day sessions are taking place on Saturday, August 1 in San Francisco, CA and are led by nationally recognized experts across implementation science, literacy, mathematics, data systems, and inclusive education—bringing the equivalent of multiple high-level consultants into one place.

Register for In-Person Workshops

Expert-led sessions (not general PD)

Built for implementation—not theory

Designed for teams + real systems

Immediate tools you can use on Monday

Early Bird pricing ends May 16, 2026

What Makes these Workshops Different

MTSS implementation often stalls not because of lack of commitment, but because systems, roles, and initiatives are not fully aligned. This interactive session focuses on helping educators identify and address the barriers that limit progress—such as competing priorities, unclear roles, and fragmented efforts. Participants will engage in structured problem-solving, reflect on their current systems, and leave with practical tools to strengthen coherence and drive sustainable implementation.

How to Identify and Remove Barriers to Implementation

  • Dr. Jackson is an implementation specialist with the National Implementation Research Network, bringing deep expertise in Implementation and improvement science for large-scale system change. She partners with organizations to strengthen leadership, align systems, and translate research into effective, equitable practice.

  • Dr. Samantha Mullins is a national MTSS expert and founder of MTSS By Design, supporting districts in building aligned, data-informed systems that drive equitable and sustainable improvement.

How to Support Effective Tier 1 K-2 Foundational Skills Instruction Within an MTSS Framework

This session focuses on strengthening Tier 1 literacy instruction using UFLI Foundations, a structured and evidence-based approach grounded in the Science of Reading. Participants will explore how to build consistent instructional routines, improve alignment across classrooms, and reduce reliance on intervention by strengthening core instruction. Emphasis is placed on coherence, clarity, and practical strategies for immediate implementation.

  • The University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) is a national leader in evidence-based literacy practices. UFLI Foundations provides a systematic, explicit approach to foundational reading instruction designed to improve outcomes at scale.

Improving math outcomes requires more than isolated programs—it requires a coherent system. This session explores the foundational structures, instructional principles, and beliefs necessary to build an MTSS-aligned mathematics system. Participants will examine how students learn math, how instruction should be designed, and how systems can support consistency and alignment. Teams will identify gaps and begin developing a clear implementation plan for sustainable improvement.

How to Build a Coherent MTSS System in Mathematics

  • Dr. McKevett is an MTSS specialist at the University of Minnesota’s CAREI, leading large-scale math system design and implementation. Her work focuses on translating research into actionable practices that improve outcomes across districts.

  • Courtney E. Wheeler, Ph.D., is the Assistant Director of MTSS at the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) at the University of Minnesota, where she provides technical assistance, training, evaluation, and conducts research around the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.

    Since obtaining her doctorate from the University of Oregon in School Psychology in 2010, she’s been drawn to conducting research and providing professional learning and technical assistance that will have practical implications for individual children and the larger system they are a part of. Through using data-based decision making processes, she believes we can advance educational equity and ensure all children have equal access to high-quality education.

    Prior to joining the University of Minnesota, Dr. Wheeler was employed by Acadience® Learning for over a decade as a Senior Research Scientist. She is the lead author of Acadience® Math (formerly available under the name DIBELS® Math) and contributed to other assessments of reading, vocabulary, and oral language.

    In addition, Wheeler has served as a school psychologist in rural and urban school districts, most notably with Heartland AEA 11 in Iowa. She also held a role as an Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

How to Support Educator Wellness and Build Resilience

Sustainable systems depend on healthy, supported educators. This session introduces research-based strategies grounded in neuroscience, stress regulation, and trauma-informed practices to support educator well-being. Participants will explore practical tools to build resilience, strengthen team culture, and create psychologically safe environments that support both adults and students.

  • Dr. Mauseth is a clinical psychologist and national expert in trauma, resilience, and disaster behavioral health. She works with organizations and systems to build sustainable approaches to wellness and recovery.

  • Lori Lynass brings extensive leadership experience in MTSS and restorative practices, with roles across district, nonprofit, and research settings, including Sound Supports, NWPBIS, CharacterStrong, and the University of Washington.

This session focuses on building a coherent literacy system where instruction is aligned across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Using structured literacy and the Science of Reading, participants will explore how to design consistent instructional routines, use data to guide decisions, and ensure that interventions build from—not compete with—core instruction.

How to Align Literacy Instruction Across All Tiers

  • Ginny Simank is Consultancy Success Lead at IMSE and a Level 5 OG Master Instructor, partnering with districts nationwide to implement evidence-based literacy practices aligned with the Science of Reading.

  • Allison Caldwell is Coaching Success Lead at IMSE, specializing in structured literacy, MTSS implementation, and building instructional coherence through coaching and data-informed practices.

How to Implement Secondary Literacy (Grades 6–12)

Secondary MTSS requires a fundamentally different approach than elementary systems. This workshop provides a practical blueprint for designing MTSS systems in middle and high schools, addressing challenges such as scheduling, intervention access, and adolescent literacy needs. Participants will leave with concrete tools—including data protocols, instructional alignment strategies, and an implementation roadmap.

  • Diana brings over 25 years of experience designing and implementing literacy systems across K–12 settings, with expertise in system-wide improvement.

  • Dr. McGurl specializes in MTSS implementation and data systems, supporting districts in building effective secondary literacy frameworks and decision-making structures.

How to Lead Reading Success: A Systems Approach (California)

This session supports leaders in strengthening reading outcomes through aligned systems, data-informed decision-making, and evidence-based instruction. Participants will explore how to connect policy, funding, and instructional practices to create coherent literacy systems, with a California-specific focus on current initiatives and opportunities.

  • A nationally recognized leader in structured literacy and MTSS implementation, supporting systems in driving large-scale reading improvement.

  • Chief Education Officer at Greenfield Learning, specializing in system-level instructional improvement and leadership development.

  • Researcher in adolescent literacy and evidence-based interventions, with extensive work in supporting students in grades 4–12.

  • Internationally recognized literacy researcher and recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for her work in language and reading development.

How to Use Data-Based Individualization (DBI) to Strengthen Tier 3

This session focuses on strengthening Tier 3 supports through data-based individualization (DBI), a structured process for intensifying instruction based on student response. Participants will learn how to move beyond compliance-driven data meetings to actionable decision-making, using multiple data sources to refine and improve interventions for students with the greatest needs.

  • Dr. Arden is a principal researcher at the American Institutes for Research, leading national work on MTSS implementation and intensive intervention.

  • Amy Peterson is a senior researcher supporting large-scale MTSS implementation and technical assistance, with a focus on improving outcomes for students with intensive needs.

How toTurn Vision Into Action: Building Inclusive Systems

Creating inclusive systems requires more than vision—it requires intentional design and leadership. This session helps teams examine current systems, identify barriers, and develop actionable plans to strengthen inclusion within MTSS frameworks. Participants will leave with practical strategies for leading sustainable, system-wide change.

  • Executive Director of SENIA, Lori is a global leader in inclusive education with over 20 years of experience supporting schools worldwide.

  • Founder of Pathways, Kim works internationally with schools to design and implement inclusive systems and practices.

  • School psychologist and consultant specializing in MTSS implementation across academic and social-emotional systems.

Join us for a powerful day of implementation-focused learning—and leave ready to take action.

Register for [In-Person] Workshops