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 show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 settings, demonstrating how teachers can reinforce progress through multiple forms of feedback, including gestures, sensory rewards, and quiet acknowledgment. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of shaping skills through small, achievable steps, helping students build confidence and persistence as they move toward larger learning goals. Together, they reflect on how thoughtful feedback can increase motivation, instructional stamina, and independence—especially for students with diverse communication and learning needs. The episode ultimately underscores the power of recognizing incremental progress and maintaining high expectations while honoring each student’s unique learning timeline.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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, and daily routines. The conversation emphasizes the role of thoughtful planning, collaboration among educators, and the use of reinforcement and data to ensure skills are retained and transferred across environments. Listeners learn how practitioners can move beyond structured classroom tasks to create meaningful opportunities that support long-term independence and functional outcomes. The episode also addresses challenges such as ensuring quality job coach training, adapting instruction to family perspectives, and fostering authentic student engagement. Ultimately, the discussion underscores that effective teaching is about preparing students for life, not just school, and making learning applicable, sustainable, and impactful for the long term.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 through Data-Based Individualization (DBI). This episode is a must-listen for educators who are dedicated to refining their approach to intensive student support.The episode explores how educational settings can adapt to the diverse needs of students using a tiered approach. Marla gives an in-depth look at how Tier 3 interventions are crucially different from those at the Tier 2 level, explaining how DBI serves as a framework for decision-making. With experience spanning various interdisciplinary measures, Marla highlights the importance of collaboration among educators, behavioral specialists, and healthcare professionals like occupational and speech therapists. She shares anecdotal evidence and quantitative data that solidify the necessity for intensified, data-driven instruction for students requiring additional support.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 learning aid, a motivator, and a supplement to instruction, helping students engage meaningfully with academic tasks. Alex shares practical strategies for integrating technology in both clinic and classroom settings, including teaching device navigation, balancing reinforcement, and leveraging Universal Design for Learning principles. They emphasize individualized decision-making, baseline assessment, and ongoing feedback to ensure technology enhances skill development rather than replacing it. The episode highlights the importance of collaboration, professional development, and reflective practice in selecting, implementing, and evaluating technology to support student independence and learning outcomes.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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, which supports both academic and social development. The conversation highlights how practitioners can creatively adapt lessons, incorporate play, and balance challenging tasks with enjoyable activities to maintain motivation. Lathryelle also discusses guiding fellow educators to recognize student cues, adjust strategies, and foster a dynamic classroom environment. The episode underscores that meaningful engagement goes beyond task completion—it’s about connection, observation, and cultivating an enjoyable, inclusive learning experience for every student. Listeners will gain practical insights for creating classrooms where students feel seen, valued, and motivated to participate.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 support skill development, social interactions, and collaborative learning while managing diverse needs across multiple instructional settings. Chris also discusses how teachers can structure classroom environments, schedules, and staff roles to maintain effective and efficient group instruction without feeling overwhelmed. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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, scaffolding, and progress monitoring, showing how they make complex skills attainable for students with additional needs or limited background knowledge. They also address common misconceptions, emphasizing that explicit instruction is not boring and can include flexibility and personalization. The conversation extends to coaching teachers and instructional assistants, demonstrating how modeling and feedback help educators implement these practices effectively. Throughout, the episode underscores the power of explicit instruction to increase student engagement, reduce frustration, and ensure meaningful learning outcomes for all students.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 offering support and cultivating autonomy. Whether in academic settings or life skills contexts, Heather and Marla underscore the importance of responsive and data-driven approaches to crafting effective scaffolding that supports both immediate and long-term student success.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 success.Throughout the conversation, Alex shares expertise in implementing cognitive strategies like self-management and metacognitive approaches, such as think-alouds and task analysis. These strategies are critical for students, particularly those with disabilities, who often require direct, explicit instruction.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 educator, shares her journey and methodologies, emphasizing the importance of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 revolutionize educational outcomes.Chris passionately discusses the importance of intentional program design, stressing how educators must adopt a backward-engineering approach to effectively align instructional goals with student needs. As they navigate common challenges, such as juggling various educational priorities and combating burnout, Chris emphasizes the need for educators to collaborate closely with a team of specialists and community resources. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 grade-level standards and utilizing evidence-based practices to foster student success.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 functions of problematic behaviors and in devising interventions that align with students' needs. Engage with us as we explore this crucial topic and gain insights on effectively transforming student behavior.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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) development. She emphasizes the necessity of not only teaching these skills in isolation but enabling students to apply them across various settings to ensure holistic development.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 practical strategies that teachers can adopt to promote a harmonious and empowering learning environment.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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 learners. The conversation highlights practical strategies for balancing structure with flexibility, responding thoughtfully to student needs, and modeling consistency through both actions and mindset. Listeners gain insight into how clear expectations, culturally responsive practices, and proactive planning can reduce challenging behaviors and increase engagement. Veronica also offers guidance for new and experienced teachers on starting small, embedding fun and motivation, and gradually building a classroom environment that fosters trust, respect, and student success. This episode is a must-listen for educators seeking actionable approaches to creating classrooms where students feel supported, understood, and empowered to learn.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

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, and functional data to ensure instruction and supports are aligned with each student’s goals. Rather than following rigid systems or checklists, the team continuously revisits data to determine what is working, what needs adjustment, and how to move students forward. The episode also addresses the challenges of interpreting data across different perspectives and the importance of professional trust, reflection, and flexibility. Listeners will walk away with a clear understanding that effective data use is dynamic, student-centered, and most powerful when grounded in collaboration and continuous improvement.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

In this insightful episode, we dive into the crucial practice of interpreting and communicating assessment information to design and implement effective educational programs. The discussion emphasizes the collaborative process essential to developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. Highlighting Lathyrelle's dual expertise in mental health and education, the episode underscores the significance of translating complex assessment data into actionable educational plans.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, Heather talks with Pat about High Leverage Practice #4: using multiple sources of information to gain a complete understanding of a student’s strengths and needs. Pat shares insights from their experience navigating complex, multi-provider settings, emphasizing the importance of listening, asking questions, and approaching collaboration with humility. They explore how different perspectives—from parents, schools, and other service providers—can both complement and conflict, and how to address collective blind spots in decision-making. The conversation highlights strategies for integrating diverse data while remaining flexible, open-minded, and student-centered. Pat reflects on the soft skills required to foster trust and alignment across teams, showing that effective collaboration is as much about relationships as it is about data. Listeners will gain practical guidance on balancing professional expertise with empathy to support meaningful outcomes for students.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

In this insightful episode, Alex delves into the multifaceted world of collaboration in special education, highlighting the essential role of partnerships between educators, families, and multidisciplinary professionals. With a background in ABA and a current role that bridges clinical and educational settings, Alex offers a unique perspective on navigating complex systems to secure vital services for students with disabilities. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the principles underpinning effective collaboration, emphasizing the importance of open communication, cultural sensitivity, and advocacy within educational frameworks.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, we dive into High-Leverage Practice #2: organizing and facilitating effective meetings with professionals and families. Pat shares insights from their work across diverse community partnerships, including schools, youth organizations, and family support centers, highlighting how each setting shapes the structure and purpose of meetings. The discussion emphasizes the complexity of coordinating multiple stakeholders, teachers, administrators, parents, and service providers, while balancing differing priorities and procedural requirements. Listeners gain a realistic view of the challenges in aligning schedules, maintaining clear communication, and ensuring that meetings lead to actionable outcomes. Pat also reflects on trial-and-error strategies that have helped refine processes, including the importance of keeping the client’s needs at the center of discussions. Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, Heather and Veroncia dive into High-Leverage practices by examining how collaboration among professionals directly impacts student success. Veroncia shares real-world examples of working alongside special educators, therapists, general educators, administrators, and families to align goals and support students across settings. The conversation highlights how shared expertise and consistent approaches help students generalize skills throughout the day while reducing the burden on any one individual. They also acknowledge common barriers to collaboration, including time constraints, differing philosophies, and uneven implementation. The discussion emphasizes the value of proactive problem-solving, clear norms, and defined roles to keep teams focused and effective. Ultimately, the episode underscores a central takeaway: when students are kept at the center and adults work collectively, collaboration becomes one of the most powerful drivers of meaningful learning and growth.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode explores the power of positive and constructive feedback in guiding student learning and growth. Heather and Candace discuss how feedback not only supports academic progress but also strengthens motivation, confidence, and self-regulation. Candace emphasizes the importance of being immediate, specific, and developmentally appropriate when giving feedback, as well as celebrating small victories along the way. They highlight the value of recognizing student effort and process—not just final outcomes—as a way to build resilience and engagement. The conversation also addresses the balance between praising successes and providing corrective feedback in a constructive, supportive manner. Ultimately, this episode illustrates how intentional feedback creates meaningful shifts in both student performance and staff perspectives.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode explores how educators can support students in maintaining and generalizing new learning across different environments and over time. Heather and Manny break down the difference between generalization—applying a learned skill in new settings—and maintenance—retaining that skill after time or breaks. Through classroom examples, they highlight strategies like frontloading expectations, building on familiar routines, and prompting students to notice environmental cues. Manny shares practical methods for supporting students during transitions, including praise, peer modeling, and scaffolding support until it can fade out. The conversation emphasizes the role of check-in/check-out systems as a powerful, data-driven way to monitor both generalization and maintenance of skills. Ultimately, this episode highlights how intentional support and systematic fading can empower students to independently sustain and apply what they’ve learned.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode explores how teachers can provide intensive instruction that supports both academics and behavior. Heather and Ashley dive into what true intensity looks like in classroom instruction, going beyond small groups or surface-level strategies. Ashley shares experiences from her time as both a teacher and administrator, emphasizing the importance of planning, engagement, and building strong relationships with students. She highlights how individualized approaches, one-on-one interactions, and data-driven planning help close learning gaps while supporting positive behavior. From the administrative perspective, Ashley stresses the role of collaboration, coaching, and celebrating strong teachers to model best practices across a school. Together, they underscore that effective intensive instruction requires both professional preparation and personal connection with students. The conversation leaves listeners with practical insights into how educators can balance rigor, care, and collaboration to truly meet student needs.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode explores using assistive and instructional technologies to support student learning. Heather and Lathyrelle discuss how these tools go beyond apps and devices, highlighting simple yet powerful supports such as changing fonts or providing glasses. They emphasize the importance of universal design for learning, where strategies designed for one student can benefit many. The conversation dives into how behavior challenges can sometimes mask underlying academic struggles, and how creative use of technology can help reduce frustration and open learning opportunities. Lathyrelle shares real-world stories that illustrate the need to think outside the box, collaborate with parents and teams, and value every resource—whether from professionals, families, or even students. The episode encourages educators to see technology as flexible, practical, and rooted in meeting real student needs.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode focuses on strategies to promote active student engagement. Candace and Heather dive into the challenges of working with students who are resistant to academics and highlight the importance of understanding each learner’s motivators, strengths, and barriers. They discuss practical strategies such as adjusting content levels, breaking tasks into manageable steps, incorporating movement or creativity, and offering meaningful rewards. The conversation emphasizes the need for teachers to remain flexible, pivot when strategies aren’t working, and provide frequent opportunities for students to respond. Ultimately, the hosts underscore that true engagement stems from educators being actively engaged with their students—meeting them where they are, sustaining motivation, and nurturing learning as an ongoing, dynamic process.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode explores the power of flexible grouping to support students academically, socially, and behaviorally. Manny shares real classroom examples where intentional groupings helped students bridge language barriers, build peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and reduce challenging behaviors rooted in frustration or misunderstanding. The conversation highlights that flexible grouping is not a “set it and forget it” strategy but a dynamic, ongoing process that requires teachers to adapt based on student needs. Listeners will hear how grouping decisions can foster language acquisition, improve engagement in math and reading, and even de-escalate behaviors by uncovering the academic or social gaps behind them. The episode emphasizes that success lies in intentionality—matching students thoughtfully rather than randomly—to create meaningful learning opportunities. Ultimately, flexible grouping empowers students to grow academically while building confidence, social connections, and independence.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode features Heather with Eryn as they explore the use of explicit instruction to support student learning. The discussion highlights how explicit instruction goes beyond simply modeling skills, emphasizing the importance of think-alouds, breaking content into smaller steps, providing examples and non-examples, and giving students multiple opportunities to practice with guided feedback. Heather and Eryn stress that the "we do" phase is often overlooked but is essential for uncovering misconceptions, differentiating instruction, and keeping students engaged. They also discuss how explicit instruction applies not only to academic skills, such as reading and visualization, but also to classroom management, social-emotional learning, and setting clear behavioral expectations. By structuring lessons in cycles of "I do, we do, you do," teachers can better meet students’ diverse needs while maintaining clarity and consistency. The episode underscores that effective explicit instruction is as much about student voice, feedback, and engagement as it is about teacher delivery.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode explores high-leverage practice number 15: providing scaffolded supports to help all learners succeed. Ann shares practical strategies for identifying student needs, adapting instruction, and embedding scaffolds into everyday classroom routines. From adjusting the environment to leveraging peer support, small groups, and technology, she highlights how scaffolding can be flexible, individualized, and responsive. The conversation emphasizes that scaffolds are not one-size-fits-all but should be matched to each learner’s strengths, challenges, and context. Ann also underscores the importance of collaboration, whether with colleagues, students, or instructional tools, to expand the range of supports available. Listeners gain a clear picture of how scaffolding functions as part of a dynamic, student-centered classroom that balances structure with responsiveness.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode explores teaching cognitive and metacognitive strategies to support learning and independence. Heather and Jon unpack what it means to help students—and adults—notice and reflect on their thoughts, connecting those thoughts to behaviors and emotions. Jon shares practical examples from his work with students, showing how guiding them to ask, “What am I telling myself about this?” can break cycles of conflict and anxiety while building self-awareness. The conversation highlights both the challenges and the transformative potential of teaching metacognition, emphasizing that it’s not about stopping thoughts or forcing positivity, but about recognizing and reframing unhelpful thinking. They also discuss how educators can model this process themselves, shifting from rigid expectations to empathetic understanding. Listeners come away with insight into how fostering metacognition empowers students to develop resilience, internal control, and healthier ways of engaging with the world.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode focuses on adapting curriculum tasks and materials for specific learning goals. The conversation breaks down the difference between accommodations, which provide access without lowering expectations, and modifications, which adjust the content itself. Heather and Eryn highlight the common confusion between the two, emphasizing the importance of identifying the “game changer” supports that truly help students succeed rather than overwhelming them with a long checklist. They discuss how assessment, teamwork, and clear communication across educators and specialists ensure that adaptations are both functional and effective. Special attention is given to students with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges, where effective strategies often include offering real choices, building in breaks, and fostering student agency. Ultimately, the episode underscores the value of student involvement, ongoing data collection, and flexible approaches that balance high expectations with meaningful support.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, the focus is on systematically designing instruction toward a specific learning goal. Ann shares how years in the classroom have taught her that success depends not only on following curriculum and pacing guides but also on recognizing and adapting to the diverse learning needs of students. She emphasizes the importance of identifying prerequisite skills, diagnosing gaps, and using flexible instructional approaches tailored to individual learners.The conversation highlights how teachers can act as “educational detectives,” uncovering what prevents progress and strategically filling in missing foundations. Heather underscores the value of making learning a transparent, student-centered journey where learners understand both the goals and the adjustments along the way. Together, they reflect on how thoughtful, student-driven planning leads to stronger engagement, more meaningful progress, and greater success for all learners.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in ⁠⁠this episode’s show notes⁠⁠ and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. ⁠⁠Sign up now!⁠⁠Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit ⁠⁠TLC Nonprofit⁠⁠ to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode explores the process of identifying and prioritizing long- and short-term learning goals. The conversation emphasizes the importance of backward planning, starting with a student’s vision for life after high school and mapping the steps needed to get there. Mary shares how centering student voice, family input, and community partnerships creates more relevant and sustainable transition plans. The discussion also highlights the reality that school-based supports often drop off dramatically after graduation, making it critical to equip students and families with skills to navigate systems independently. Listeners will hear how shifting from doing things for students to working with them fosters true self-advocacy and long-term success. Ultimately, the episode underscores that meaningful goal-setting is collaborative, flexible, and deeply tied to ensuring students thrive beyond school.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in ⁠this episode’s show notes⁠ and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. ⁠Sign up now!⁠Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠ for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit ⁠TLC Nonprofit⁠ to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode focuses on conducting functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) to develop effective student behavior support plans, with a special emphasis on students experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of observing students across different settings, identifying patterns and trends, and considering factors beyond surface-level assumptions. Listeners will hear how effective FBAs require balancing empathy with professional objectivity, recognizing that behavior communicates underlying needs. The discussion emphasizes the shift from compliance-driven plans to student-centered supports that build essential skills such as communication and self-advocacy. Strategies include modeling appropriate behavior, teaching functional communication, and guiding teams to listen deeply to students—even when advocacy is expressed in difficult ways. Ultimately, the episode underscores the need for patience, consistency, and collaboration in creating plans that support both student growth and healthier school communities.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, Heather and Jon dive into teaching social behaviors. They explore how social, emotional, and behavioral skills are deeply tied to awareness—both of ourselves and the dynamics within a group. The conversation highlights how presence, body language, and even unspoken cues can shape classroom interactions and students’ sense of safety. They also examine how students often pick up on subtle inconsistencies in adults, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and naming emotions rather than hiding them. Heather and Jon caution against reducing social skills instruction to simple behavioral rewards, stressing the need to teach the “why” behind interactions and how skills apply differently across contexts. Through personal experiences and practical examples, they underscore that teaching social behaviors is not a one-size-fits-all curriculum but an ongoing, relational process that equips students with meaningful skills for both the classroom and beyond.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode focuses on providing positive and constructive feedback to guide student behavior. Manny shares how behavior-specific praise goes beyond simple affirmations by naming exactly what students are doing well and why it matters, helping them understand expectations and build lasting skills. The conversation highlights the importance of giving both the "what" and the "why," ensuring students aren’t left guessing about unclear or inconsistent standards.Heather and Manny discuss how staff can identify and clarify expectations, using feedback to create a roadmap for students and ensure consistency across different learning environments. They also emphasize the power of feedback to build rapport, support skill generalization from resource rooms to general education settings, and set both students and staff up for success. Ultimately, the episode underscores how intentional, specific feedback fosters growth, strengthens relationships, and helps students internalize positive behaviors.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, Heather is joined by Candace to explore how to build a consistent, organized, and respectful learning environment that helps students thrive. Together, they discuss how classroom climate directly influences behavior, engagement, and academic growth, and why setting clear, positively stated expectations is essential. Candace shares insights from her work with teachers and paraprofessionals, highlighting the need to model, reinforce, and revisit expectations throughout the school year. They also dive into the power of honest conversations, specific feedback, and relational trust in creating safe and supportive spaces for students. The conversation shows how small shifts in language, intentional practices, and cultural awareness can transform classroom dynamics and make students feel respected and ready to learn.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

This episode focuses on how schools can use student assessment data to guide instruction and drive meaningful improvements in student outcomes. Mary and Heather discuss the challenges educators face in moving from collecting data to actually analyzing it in ways that inform decision-making. They highlight the importance of setting small, actionable goals, adjusting strategies when needed, and involving school leaders in helping teachers make sense of complex information. The conversation also emphasizes the role of changing adult practices, building consistent systems of support, and leveraging existing resources more effectively. Using examples like addressing attendance, they show how even seemingly simple data points require deeper analysis to uncover root causes. The episode underscores patience, collaboration, and intentional action as key ingredients for long-term student success.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

Heather Volchko and Lathyrelle Isler explore High-Leverage Practice #5: interpreting and communicating assessment information to collaboratively design and implement educational programs. The conversation centers on making technical data accessible by breaking down jargon, reading the room to gauge understanding, and adapting communication for diverse audiences, including educators, parents, and students. Lathyrelle shares how humility, curiosity, and a willingness to ask questions strengthen collaboration and build trust among team members. They highlight the importance of realistic planning that accounts for classroom dynamics, home life, and available resources, rather than relying solely on raw data. The discussion also addresses challenges like ego-driven communication and the need for follow-up to ensure clarity. Throughout the episode underscores that successful programming requires both accurate data interpretation and a deep understanding of each student’s real-world context. It offers practical insights for educators committed to fostering collaborative, student-centered decision-making.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

Heather is joined by Ann to explore what it really means to use multiple sources of information to understand a student’s strengths and needs. Drawing from years of experience, Ann shares how combining data, context, and human insight creates a clearer and more accurate picture than any single measure could.They discuss how to balance hard metrics with lived experiences, interpret results in light of timing and relationships, and adapt plans as circumstances shift. From embracing failure as a learning tool to connecting academic skills with real-life applications, the conversation offers practical, flexible strategies for supporting student growth. If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond checklists toward truly individualized support, this episode will show you how.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

Join Heather Volchko and guest Jon Barberio as they dive into the real work of collaborating with families to support student learning and secure needed services. They unpack how to start conversations in a way that invites parents in as partners, even when school and home expectations don’t quite match. You’ll hear stories of navigating misunderstandings, aligning on shared goals, and bringing students into the process to boost ownership and motivation. From building trust through genuine care to celebrating successes—not just addressing challenges—Heather and Jon share practical strategies that strengthen school–family partnerships. It’s a conversation about empathy, openness, and keeping students at the center of every decision.Explore More with Us inside The TLC Network!Learn more in this episode’s show notes and join a vibrant community of behavior-focused school professionals committed to their professional growth.Join Our NewsletterStay updated with our latest episodes and receive exclusive content every week. Sign up now!Follow Us on Social MediaConnect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for weekly updates and behind-the-scenes content. Tag us @thresholdlearningtlc to engage with us across all platforms!Subscribe to Our PodcastEnjoyed today’s episode? Share it with friends and never miss an episode on your favorite platform: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!Support Our MissionLove what you hear? Support our efforts to empower local schools to support complex youth. Visit TLC Nonprofit to learn more.Send Us Your FeedbackHave questions or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!