Behavioural Deep Dive

What does it actually take to successfully implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) in schools?In this episode, I sit down with Dr Lorna Hepburn, founder of The Behaviour Coach and author of Implementing School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support: A Practitioner's Guide to Tier 1 to explore how schools can move beyond individual programs and build sustainable systems that improve outcomes for all students.Drawing on an extensive experience supporting schools across Australia, Lorna shares practical insights into what effective MTSS implementation really looks like. We discuss why schools adopt MTSS, the critical features of strong Tier 1 systems, how leadership teams can use data to drive decision making, common misconceptions that derail implementation, and the "lethal mutations" that preserve the appearance of MTSS while removing the very features that make it effective.We also explore what effective Tier 2 systems look like, why they are often the "forgotten middle child" of MTSS, and the structures schools need to ensure targeted supports are delivered with fidelity.Whether you're a school leader, teacher, behaviour consultant or member of an implementation team, this conversation is packed with practical ideas that will help you strengthen your school's systems of support and create more positive, predictable learning environments.In this episode we discuss: • Why schools adopt MTSS and the challenges it helps solve.• What effective Tier 1 implementation looks like.• Leadership, implementation teams and building sustainable systems.• Using data to guide school-wide decision making.• Common misconceptions and "lethal mutations" of MTSS.• Why consistency matters.• Building effective Tier 2 supports.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with colleagues who are passionate about improving outcomes for students.Full show notes can be found here: https://www.sebcollective.com.au/multi-tieredsystemofsupports

What does it actually mean for a school to be trauma-informed?In this episode of Behavioural Deep Dive, I’m joined by Dr Erin Leif to explore trauma and trauma-informed practice within educational settings. Together, we discuss how experiences of adversity can influence learning, behaviour, relationships, and emotional regulation, and the important role schools can play in promoting safety, connection, and belonging.Drawing on principles from behaviour science and inclusive education, Erin explains the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and trauma, why trauma is defined by its impact rather than the event itself, and how protective factors can help foster resilience and positive outcomes for children and young people.We also explore several common misconceptions surrounding trauma-informed practice and discuss why many of its core principles align closely with effective Tier 1 practices within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Throughout the conversation, Erin highlights how safe and predictable environments, positive relationships, explicit teaching, and supportive pathways to success can benefit all students.Whether you're a teacher, school leader, school psychologist, behaviour support practitioner, or anyone interested in creating more inclusive and supportive learning environments, this episode offers practical insights that can be applied immediately within educational settings.View the full show notes, resources, and further reading.About Dr Erin LeifDr Erin Leif is an Associate Professor at Monash University, Course Leader for the Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis, and Chair of Behaviour Support Practitioners Australia. Her work focuses on advancing inclusive, person-centred, and evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes for children and young people across education and disability settings.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with a colleague.

Which classroom practices provide the strongest foundation for student success?In this episode of Behavioural Deep Dive, I’m joined by Dr Adam Feinberg to explore three of the most impactful classroom practices educators can use to support student learning, behaviour, and wellbeing.Together, we discuss how clear expectations, effective routines, and behaviour-specific feedback help create the conditions for learning. Adam shares practical examples from his work supporting schools and systems through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), highlighting how these evidence-informed practices can create classrooms that are predictable, supportive, and engaging for all students.We also explore the connection between positive classroom practices, student belonging, emotional regulation, and mental health, and discuss why creating safe and predictable learning environments is a critical component of supporting both academic and behavioural success.Whether you're a teacher, school leader, school psychologist, behaviour specialist, or anyone interested in improving outcomes for students, this episode offers practical insights that can be applied immediately within educational settings.View the full show notes, resources, and further reading: About Dr Adam FeinbergDr Adam Feinberg is a psychologist, educational consultant, and doctoral-level Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). He works with schools and systems across Australia to strengthen student wellbeing, behaviour, and academic outcomes through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Adam is also the Co-Chair of the Association for Positive Behaviour Support Australia (APBSA) and co-leads SEB Collective.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with a colleague.

In this episode of Behavioural Deep Dive, I sit down with Jennifer Payne, teacher, psychologist, and Director of Rypple, to unpack student motivation, acknowledgement systems, and some of the common misconceptions around rewards in schools.We explore the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the research often linked to the “rewards undermine motivation” debate, and how acknowledgement systems can be used to support behavioural skill development over time.Jennifer reframes acknowledgement systems as more than simply reward systems, describing them instead as a way to assess behavioural skills and prompt adults to use effective practices such as specific positive feedback. We also discuss how acknowledgement systems can be used as a data based decision making tool to better understand student behaviour, guide teaching, and strengthen implementation of positive classroom practices within schools.We also unpack self determination theory, including the role of relatedness, autonomy, and competence in helping students move from external regulation towards greater independence and self regulation.A practical and thoughtful conversation for educators, school leaders, and anyone interested in behaviour support, motivation, and positive school culture.For full show notes, click here.

In the first episode of the Behavioural Deep Dive, I sit down with Dr Russ Fox to explore function-based thinking and how it can be applied in classroom settings.Russ describes behaviour as something that is shaped by the environment, emphasising that students are always responding to what is happening around them. The conversation explores how being curious about what occurs before and after behaviour can help educators better understand why students respond the way they do, and what that behaviour may be doing for them in that context. A key idea discussed is that behaviour is adaptive, even when it is costly. Rather than viewing behaviour as something that sits within the student, Russ outlines a way of thinking that focuses on the interaction between the student and their environment, and how this can inform more effective support. The episode also explores how this thinking applies to classroom practice, including how teachers can better support and respond to student behaviour across academic tasks, social situations, and classroom expectations, and make small adjustments to support success.This is a practical conversation for educators looking to deepen their understanding of student behaviour and apply strategies that are grounded in how behaviour works within real classroom environments.For full show notes, click here.

In this debut episode, host Jake Lewis introduces the Behavioural Deep Dive, a podcast exploring the systems and habits that drive high performance in schools, teams, and organisations. Jake makes the case that the most effective teams aren't just the hardest working, but the best designed, and outlines his mission to bridge behaviour science research with practical, real-world strategies.