MTSS Isn't Another Initiative, It's the Plate Everything Sits On

MTSS Isn't Another Initiative, It's the Plate Everything Sits On

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Jackie and Ed sit down with Dr. Samantha Mullins. Founder of MTSS By Design, to tackle a common misconception that MTSS is just another initiative.  Dr. Mullins explains why MTSS is not something extra; rather, it is the foundational system that holds your entire school's instructional frameworks together, supporting coherence and ongoing school improvement.   What you will Learn Smarter Design, Not Harder Effort: Why MTSS breakdowns are usually about system flaws, not lack of trying. The Power of Tier 1: How clear routines and core instruction are everyone's responsibility and how tight Tier 1 implementation benefits all learners. Quick Leadership Wins: Practical insights to small system shifts you can implement tomorrow. Bio: Dr. Samantha Mullins is the Founder and CEO of MTSS By Design, where she partners with district and school leadership teams to lead K–12 systems transformation through coherent, sustainable Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). A nationally and internationally recognized MTSS strategist and education consultant, she works with leaders to strengthen Tier 1 instruction and align assessment, intervention, and professional learning into a unified system rather than disconnected initiatives. Her work centers on system design, leadership decision-making, and change management that support clarity, coherence, and opportunity for all learners at scale. Dr. Mullins’ work in MTSS helps leadership teams move from vision to implementation by reducing fragmentation and building durable instructional systems that can adapt and endure.  Resources: www.mtssbydesign.com samantha@mtssbydesign.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mtssbydesign #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment

The Gen Z AI Revolt: Parental Pushback and the "Outdoor Cat" Solution

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] Episode Overview Welcome back to JackED UP! In this episode, we continue our conversation with returning guest (first guest) Vince Doud, diving deeper into AI in education. We explore the growing community pushback against AI and technology in schools, introduce Vince's framework for AI literacy (the "AI permit" and "AI license"), and discuss the surprising generational divide around AI adoption. Vince also shares his powerful "cat analogy" for defining a healthy human-AI relationship. Community Pushback on AI in Schools * Why affluent districts are facing parental resistance to technology and AI * The role of outdated school policies in fueling controversy * The equity dimension: who has the privilege to push back? * How intentional deployment makes all the difference The Four Pillars of AI Literacy — "Earning Your AI Permit" Before students (or educators) can effectively use AI, they need to understand the foundational competencies: * Prompting: How to communicate effectively with AI * Verification: How to fact-check and validate AI outputs * Ethics: Understanding appropriate vs. inappropriate AI use * Data Privacy: Knowing what information is safe to share Vince shares hands-on activities he uses with 9th graders to teach these pillars, and explains why even elementary students can begin learning these concepts. AI Modes — "Earning Your AI License" Once you've earned your permit, it's time to learn when and how to use AI. Vince introduces five AI modes: * Idea Mode: Brainstorming and generating possibilities * Learning Mode: Using AI as a tutor or learning partner * Evaluator Mode: Having AI provide feedback on your work * Tool Mode: Letting AI do tasks for you (only after you're already an expert!) * Simulator Mode: Practicing scenarios and skills in a safe environment A key insight: students should only use AI in Tool Mode after they've already mastered the skill. The craftsman gets the most out of tools because they're the expert directing them. The Generational Divide We explore a surprising trend: younger adults (millennials and Gen Z) are among the most skeptical of AI, despite being digital natives. Jacqueline's 25-year-old daughter and Ed's 30-year-old daughter both express strong concerns about: * Environmental impact of AI (data center energy consumption) * Job displacement and economic insecurity * Loss of creativity and authentic human expression Vince contextualizes this as "whiplash" — a generation that was pushed into technology during COVID, witnessed the dark side of social media, and is now cautious about being sold another tech wave. The Cat Analogy — What's Your Relationship with AI? Vince closes with a memorable framework for thinking about how we engage with AI: * The Wildcat: Fearful, hostile, avoidant — trying to attack or shut down AI entirely * The House Cat: Fully dependent, comfortable, but living an artificial existence where everything is provided * The Outside Cat: The ideal. Informed, intentional, independent — benefiting from AI when needed while retaining agency and authentic human experience The question Vince leaves us with: What cat are you? Guest Bio Vince Doud is an instructional technology coach and educator with deep expertise in AI integration in K-12 settings. He has spent the past several years on the front lines of AI exploration in schools and is returning to the classroom this fall to teach video production at Audubon. Vince develops practical frameworks and hands-on activities to help students and educators build AI literacy and use AI intentionally. Resources Mentioned * OpenAI Codex (upcoming tool for local file management) * Vince's "Teaching Management System" concept (in development) * The Four Pillars board game (created by Vince) Connect With Us Have thoughts on this episode? Want to share what kind of "cat" you are? Reach out to us on social media or email us your feedback! #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment

Agricultural Education: The Next Generation of Farming

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] Questions or follow up, reach out to our guest, Ms. Smith angayla.smith23@rcschools.net. Resources:  https://www.ffa.org/ [https://www.ffa.org/] Global Connections of the FFA While rooted in the United States, the National FFA Organization actively connects students to a global network of agriculture, trade, and technology. This episode explores how FFA bridges the gap between local chapters and worldwide impact through three main pillars: Global Corporate Partnerships: FFA collaborates with multinational giants like Cargill, PepsiCo, General Mills, and Corteva to introduce students to global food supply chains, international trade, and sustainable commercial agriculture. International Travel & Exchange: Through programs like the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO), student leaders travel to countries across Europe to study foreign farming techniques and international agricultural policy firsthand. Space & STEM Innovation: FFA partners with global scientific initiatives, including the Plant the Moon Challenge (in collaboration with NASA) and Invention Convention Worldwide, to engage students in solving global sustainability and food security challenges. Fun Fact/Clarification: Don't confuse the student agriculture group with the other FFA! There is also the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), an intergovernmental body connected to the United Nations that manages regional deep-sea fisheries. #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment

Student Engagement, Alignment, and Helping Students See Their Learning Journey

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] Jackie and Ed reconnect with a colleague who’s shaped their work from stateside consulting to an unforgettable DoDEA experience in Germany. Together, they dive into one of the hottest topics in education right now—Student Engagement, especially as teachers everywhere are trying to keep students’ heads up, connected, and invested in learning. With 35+ years of experience, Dr. Cortez brings powerful stories and a clear mission: making learning visible so students understand their journey, their growth, and why it all matters. He also shares practical, tomorrow‑ready strategies for teachers and leaders—real moves, not dog‑and‑pony‑show tricks—that strengthen alignment, deepen motivation, and build authentic student buy‑in. A grounded, energizing conversation for educators who want engagement that lasts, not entertainment that fades. Dr. Ruben Cortez Contact Information and Consulting Requests rubenfcortez@gmail.com [rubenfcortez@gmail.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-cortez-47944a13b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-cortez-47944a13b/] An article on using the KMO for organizational change https://designingschools.org/innovation-gap-analysis-using-the-kmo-method-to-move-from-current-to-desired-outcomes-in-schools/-- [https://designingschools.org/innovation-gap-analysis-using-the-kmo-method-to-move-from-current-to-desired-outcomes-in-schools/--] Learning Targets: Helping Students Aim for Understanding in Today's Lesson https://files.ascd.org/pdfs/onlinelearning/webinars/webinar-handout2-7-17-2012.pdf #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment

"Human First: Why SEL is the Foundation Every Student Deserves"

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] Molly Nilssen is a proud Milwaukee native who attended Milwaukee Public Schools from K4 through 12th grade. She went on to earn her degree from the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before beginning her career teaching kindergarten and later first grade. After teaching in three different schools, Molly found her home at the Milwaukee College Prep campus on 38th Street, serving predominantly minority learners. Over her career, she has taught every grade in elementary and middle school and nearly every subject, giving her a rare, full-spectrum understanding of how children grow, learn, and struggle across developmental stages. For the past four years, Molly has taught Wellness, a subject that blends self‑regulation, brain science, hygiene, puberty and development, sex education, core values, boundaries, social justice, mindfulness, and more. Her work sits at the intersection of academic learning and human development. The realities of Milwaukee deeply shape Molly’s commitment to SEL, one of the most racially segregated cities in the country, and a community grappling with high rates of violence and the disproportionate incarceration of Black males. These systemic conditions show up in classrooms long before they show up in statistics. Molly sees firsthand how chronic stress, community instability, and generational inequities impact students’ nervous systems, attention, behavior, and sense of safety. Her message is clear: SEL is not optional in a city like Milwaukee. It is a protective factor, an academic accelerator, and an equity imperative. With 17 years of experience spanning major shifts in technology, AI, and post‑pandemic learning, Molly brings a powerful, urgent perspective on what today’s students truly need to thrive and survive, not just academically, but as whole human beings. School Website: https://www.milwaukeecollegeprep.com/38th-street [https://www.milwaukeecollegeprep.com/38th-street] Resources: Videos A Tour of the Brain (for kids)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vqSehMYQQ&t=87s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vqSehMYQQ&t=87s] Brain Basics for Kids (and also adults!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD1wliuHxHI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD1wliuHxHI] What is my Lizard Brain? (Self-regulation lesson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLaBYt3AHVI&t=19s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLaBYt3AHVI&t=19s] Neurons and Synapses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rHZ_RDdyQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rHZ_RDdyQ] Zones of Regulation Curriculum Website https://zonesofregulation.com/ [https://zonesofregulation.com/] Articles: Power Of Brain Breaks https://www.edutopia.org/video/the-mysterious-power-of-brain-breaks [https://www.edutopia.org/video/the-mysterious-power-of-brain-breaks] Projects, Purpose, and the Teenage Mind https://www.edutopia.org/article/projects-purpose-and-the-teenage-mind [https://www.edutopia.org/article/projects-purpose-and-the-teenage-mind] Survive and Thrive During Testing Season https://www.edutopia.org/blog/survive-thrive-during-testing-season-lori-desautels [https://www.edutopia.org/blog/survive-thrive-during-testing-season-lori-desautels] Intentionally Slowing Down to Ensure Students Learn Material Deeply https://www.edutopia.org/article/slower-instruction-deeper-learning [https://www.edutopia.org/article/slower-instruction-deeper-learning] #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment