Little Bits of TLC

Kotter’s eighth step is instituting change by making sure new behaviors are connected to organizational success and reinforced by systems and processes until they replace old habits. In schools, that means embedding the new way of working across policy, time structures, roles, onboarding, culture, and succession planning. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s sh...

Kotter’s seventh step is sustaining acceleration by pressing harder after first successes and using growing credibility to improve systems, structures, and policies until the vision becomes reality. In schools, that means using early wins as a launchpad rather than a finish line, while managing coherence and capacity carefully. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episod...

Kotter’s sixth step is generating short-term wins: early results that are recognized, collected, and communicated often enough to track progress and energize people to persist. In schools, those wins should be mixed-methods by design, pairing something measurable with something experiential. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant com...

Kotter’s fifth step is enabling action by removing barriers: clearing obstacles that slow progress or create roadblocks so people can innovate and work more nimbly. In schools, that means removing schedule barriers, process burdens, unclear roles, policy conflicts, data friction, and cultural fear that keep the new system from fitting into the day. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Lear...

Kotter’s fourth step is enlisting a volunteer army: creating the conditions for large numbers of people to rally around a common opportunity and want to contribute. In schools, that does not mean unpaid extra labor; it means giving staff supported, meaningful roles inside the workday for the change effort. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and joi...

Kotter’s third step is to form a strategic vision by clarifying how the future will be different from the past and linking that future to specific initiatives. In schools, a strong vision helps educators picture how student support and staff work will feel different in classrooms, offices, hallways, and meetings. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes...

Kotter’s second step is building a guiding coalition: a coalition of committed people from within the network who can guide, coordinate, and communicate the work. In schools, that means a cross-role leadership network with enough trust, perspective, and influence to move real change, not just approve it. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join...

Kotter’s first step is to create a sense of urgency by inspiring people to act around a clear and compelling future. In schools, that urgency is strongest when leaders name how the current way of working is placing too much strain on adults, producing inconsistency for students, and relying too heavily on individual heroics. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network! Learn more in this episode’s...

In this episode, Heather is joined by guest Cass to explore High-Leverage Practice #22: providing positive and constructive feedback to guide student learning. The conversation highlights how effective feedback goes beyond verbal praise and must be tailored to each learner’s communication style, motivation, and stage of learning. Cass shares practical examples from both clinical and classroom sett...

In this episode, we explore High-Leverage practices for teaching students to maintain and generalize new learning across time and settings, with a focus on preparing students for independence beyond the classroom. Lyndsay shares insights from her extensive experience in transition programs, highlighting the importance of applying skills in real-world contexts like community activities, employment,...

In this episode, Heather converses with Marla about High-Leverage Practice number 20, focusing on providing intensive instruction for students who exhibit significant needs beyond the capacity of typical educational settings. In her dynamic role as a behavior consultant, Marla shares insightful narratives and strategies about adapting individual education plans (IEPs) to better service students th...

In this episode, Heather talks with guest Alex about High-Leverage Practice #19: using assistive and instructional technologies to support students with disabilities. They explore how tools like AAC devices can give nonverbal or minimally verbal students a voice, reduce frustration, and even improve skills like articulation when used intentionally. Beyond communication, technology can serve as a l...

In this episode, Heather and Lathryelle explore High Leverage Practice #18, focusing on strategies to promote active student engagement. They emphasize the importance of building genuine connections with students by understanding their personalities, preferences, and interests, and meeting them where they are. Engagement is framed as a reciprocal relationship rooted in trust, respect, and fun, whi...

In this episode, we explore High-Leverage Practice #17: using flexible grouping in special education classrooms. Chris shares practical strategies for organizing students into both homogeneous and heterogeneous groups based on learning goals, data, and individual needs, emphasizing the importance of intentionality alongside flexibility. The conversation highlights how thoughtful groupings can supp...

In this episode, Heather and guest Veroncia explore High-Leverage Practice #16: using explicit instruction to support student learning, especially in low-incidence classrooms. They discuss how clear, systematic, and structured teaching helps students build foundational skills, gain confidence, and eventually develop creativity. Veronica highlights strategies like modeling, guided practice, scaffol...

Heather and Marla explore the power of scaffolded supports in education, emphasizing their role in helping students achieve independence. They discuss strategies like errorless learning and task analysis, highlighting how tailored scaffolding fosters skill acquisition for students with disabilities. Through real-world examples and collaborative insights, they reveal the delicate balance between of...

In this insightful episode, we delve into high-leverage practices in teaching cognitive and metacognitive strategies, emphasizing their importance in promoting student independence and self-regulation. With Alex, a seasoned BCBA, as our guide, we explore how these strategies transform learning for students with disabilities, turning abstract concepts into concrete skills that enhance educational s...

In this enlightening episode, Cass and Heather dive deep into the world of special education, specifically focusing on High Leverage Practice Number 13: Adapting Curriculum Tasks and Materials. The conversation unveils the nuanced and strategic approaches employed by educators to ensure that every student, regardless of their abilities, can achieve their learning goals. Heather, an experienced edu...

In this episode, Chris joins Heather to explore High Leverage Practice Number 12, focusing on systematically designing instruction toward specific learning goals. They delve into the intricacies of crafting both programmatic and individual-focused educational strategies that enhance learning for students with disabilities. The conversation uncovers how intentionality and strategic planning can rev...

In this episode, we dive into the intricacies of identifying and prioritizing long-term and short-term learning goals for students with disabilities. Pat and Heather offer a rich discussion filled with insights into the collaboration between educators and specialists in tailoring educational experiences to meet diverse needs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of aligning IEP goals with gr...

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of functional behavioral assessments (FBA) with special education expert Chris. A cornerstone in special education, FBAs are essential for understanding student behaviors and crafting individualized behavior support plans (BSP). Chris reveals through lively discussions how these comprehensive assessments are instrumental in determining the underlying...

In this insightful episode, the discussion delves deep into the intricacies of teaching social behaviors within educational settings, particularly for students with disabilities. Lindsay, an expert in the field, sheds light on high-leverage practices for integrating social skill instruction into daily educational experiences, comprehensive data collection, and individualized education program (IEP...

In this insightful episode, we dive into the transformative power of providing positive and constructive feedback in educational settings. Joined by esteemed educator Cass, we explore how effective feedback can significantly enhance student motivation, engagement, and independence, driving both academic and behavioral improvements. Through real-life anecdotes and expert insights, Cass unveils prac...

In this episode, Veronica dives into High-Leverage Practice 7, exploring how educators can establish a consistent, organized, and respectful learning environment that supports both academic and social-emotional growth. She emphasizes the importance of building strong teacher-student relationships, creating predictable routines and schedules, and using positive reinforcement to motivate and engage...

In this episode, Heather and Marla explore High Leverage Practice #6 and how student assessment data is used to guide instructional decisions in special education. Marla shares how data collection is not a one-time task, but an ongoing, collaborative process that evolves as students’ needs change. The conversation highlights the role of multidisciplinary teams in analyzing behavioral, academic, an...