Shows
Expert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 50: 2024-25 Year in ReviewIn this episode, we’re looking back at the podcast over the past school year and sharing our favorite episodes and lessons learned. We’ve interviewed 16 guests across nine episodes. Every conversation gave us something to think about and find ways to infuse it in our work moving forward. Today, we wanted to highlight just five of those episodes and encourage you to take another listen over these summer months.To travel back in time to any of these episodes mentioned today, check out the following links:Ep. 43: Mythbusters - Rewards Don't Work to Improve OutcomesEp. 45: Myth...2025-06-1724 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 49: Mental Health Awareness is a Schoolwide PracticeIn a perfect world, there would be a mental health professional embedded in every school across the country. Students would have immediate access to the support they need and the resources they deserve. The reality is, there is a workforce shortage among mental health providers and community resources are overwhelmed by the need. More students need support than we can serve efficiently. If we could change that outcome, shouldn’t we?That’s exactly what our friends and colleagues at The Ballmer Institute are trying to do! The Ballmer Institute offers an ground breaking undergraduates an opportunity to e...2025-05-2351 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 48: All Means All – Inclusive Practices in Tier 1 PBISAs we explore what inclusive education means, we need to talk about what it means to create truly inclusive schoolwide systems, data, and practices. If schoolwide means all students have access to the same foundational features, how do you ensure “all” really means “all” in your Tier 1 PBIS implementation? Joining us to help answer this question is Dr. Sheldon Loman from Portland State University (PSU). Sheldon is a Professor in the Special Education Department at PSU. He has a passion for researching and teaching about inclusive practices to support students with extensive support needs. Most recently...2025-04-1540 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 47: Cultivating a Culture of Belonging in Your ClassroomJoin us this month with guest Dr. Nikole Hollins-Sims as we discuss how to cultivate a culture of belonging in your classroom. Using the elements of PBIS, Dr. Hollins-Sims helps us break down how students thrive at school when they feel they belong. For starters, the ABCs of student wellbeing, Agency, Belonging and Connectedness, have a tremendous influence on whether students feel like they are part of your school. When educators focus on cultivating each of these components in their classroom climate through greetings, exercises and class culture, students thrive. We also visit how your own SWIS data results...2025-03-1841 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 46: Creating Equitable PBIS Solutions that Work for All StudentsAs we explore what it means to achieve equitable solutions in PBIS implementation, we start by defining what equity looks like. So, what happens when our definitions of equity are different from each other? In this episode, learn how one coach successfully collaborates with the whole schoolwide community to create shared definitions and equitable systems that work for everyone.Joining us is Mari Meador from the University of Washington’s School Mental Health Assessment Research and Training (SMART) Center. As an implementation coach, Mari supports schools in their implementation efforts. She has been a PBIS state facilitator, an...2025-02-1846 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 45: Mythbusters – Students Today Don’t Care About School Like They Used ToWhether its students clutching their phones or endlessly scrolling YouTube shorts, there is a sense student apathy is real and rampant. In this episode, we’re out to bust the myth that students today just don’t care about school like they used to. Joining us are Marisa Cardenas-Joslyn and Aydree, from Silverado High School in Mission Viejo, CA. Our colleague and friend, Mimi McGrath Kato is also a special guest cohost today while Danielle Triplett is out of the office. Marisa is a member of the Silverado’s PBIS team and an instructional coach supporting teachers and ad...2025-01-2142 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 44: Closing Out 2024 with Hilarious Stories from the ClassroomIn this episode, we’ve tracked down some hilarious teacher stories from around the internet about the goofy things students say and do in school. From fart jokes, to the 1990s as the “old days,” to a student bringing in a live goat, this podcast will have you in stitches. The guests this month are our very own PBISApps trainer Nadia Sampson and Customer Support Manager Diertra Lomeli. Give it a listen and enjoy your winter break! 2024-12-1727 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp 43: Mythbusters – Rewards Don’t Work to Improve OutcomesWe’re back with another episode of Mythbusters where we explore some of the critiques about PBIS. Along with our guests, we’ll declare the criticisms true or busted! The myth we’ll explore today is: Rewards don’t work to improve student outcomes. Joining us in our conversation are Erica Bauer, Joya Mitchell, and Jaymz Keller Jr. Erica is a school counselor and the Green Local School District’s PBIS coordinator. Joya is the Student Services Director at Green Local Schools. She’s been an educator for over 20 years working in both special education and as an as...2024-11-1948 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 42: Creating and Sustaining Positive School ClimateThere’s a feeling you get when you walk into a school. You get a sense for the kind of place it is when you look at the people’s faces, or the way the light that comes through the windows. It’s even in the colors and art on the walls in the hallway. This intangible thing is your school’s climate and it’s something you co-create with your schoolwide community.In this episode of Expert Instruction, we’re joined by three educators who know how to create that positive school climate we all want to experienc...2024-10-1548 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 41: How to Sustain PBIS in the Long TermWhen educators are in the classroom day after day, year after year, the focus on fresh authentic, genuine PBIS implementation gets harder. In this episode, we’re talking about how to adapt, evolve, and continuously improve your efforts over the long term. Joining us in conversation are the three co-directors of the Center on PBIS.Dr. Brandi Simonsen is a professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Psychology at University of Connecticut. She is also the co-principle investigator of the National Multi-Tiered System of Supports Research Network. She's an advocate for supporting educator implementation across a...2024-09-1739 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 40: 2023-24 Year in ReviewIn this episode, we’re looking back at every podcast we had over the past school year and sharing our favorite episodes and lessons learned. We’ve interviewed 16 guests across nine episodes. Every conversation gave us something to think about and find ways to infuse it in our work moving forward. Today, we wanted to highlight just five of those episodes and encourage you to take another listen over these summer months. To travel back in time to any of these episodes mentioned today, check out the following links: Ep. 32: The Fundamentals of Schoolwide Teams2024-06-1825 min
PBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 23 Reflections on PBIS: Celebrating Growth and ProgressEver wondered how two educators with no podcasting experience managed to craft 22 episodes packed with insights on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)? Join Dianne Ferrell and Diane Ruff as they recount their journey on PBIS Journey to Genius, highlighting memorable conversations and moments. Listen to Michelle Nervo share her expertise on blending diverse school philosophies, and hear from kindergarten teacher and PBIS coach Mrs. Roach, who focuses on nurturing student leadership over material rewards. Celebrate the evolution of PBIS with us and discover how our approach has adapted over time thanks to valuable listener and expert connections.2024-06-1023 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp 39: Action Planning with Year-End DataBy the end of the school year, you have a lot of data at your fingertips. There are two important actions to take. The first is to share it with your schoolwide community as part of your annual PBIS evaluation. The second is to plan how you’ll build on your success next year. In this episode, we’re talking about what it takes to evaluate PBIS implementation and use data to create an action plan at the end of the year. Joining us in our conversation are Diane LaMaster, Michele Cook, and Kim Barker. Dian...2024-05-2141 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 22 Highlighting Triumphs of Youth with Student-Driven Achievement BindersWhile Dianne basks in the Florida sun, I’m here to take you through an intimate exploration of student empowerment. Imagine a tool so transformative that it allows children to witness their own unfolding potential; that's the magic we're discussing today through the voices of these young leaders. These remarkable students open their leadership binders and let us peek inside their academic and personal growth journeys, showing us just how powerful taking charge of one's own progress can be. Whether it's mastering the realm of mathematics or setting meaningful behavior goals, these binders are more than mere organizational tools—they...2024-04-3014 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 21 Building a Blueprint for Student Success with Granville's PBIS ModelHave you ever wondered what draws someone into the world of education? In our latest episode of PBIS: Journey to Genius, we had the pleasure of hosting Tracy Stewart and Travis Morris from Granville Elementary, who revealed to us their heartfelt tales of entering the educational sphere. Tracy's lineage is steeped in teaching tradition, while Travis' path was less direct, yet both are united by a passion for nurturing the next generation. They shared with us the simple, everyday moments that affirm their commitment to their roles, and the profound impact of fostering genuine connections within their school community.2024-04-2329 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp 38: Mythbusters - There Are Some Students Skewing Our Schoolwide DataHave you heard this before in your teams: If we removed these students from our schoolwide data, our trends would look better. In this episode, we’re tackling the myth that some students’ behavior data skew our schoolwide data. Joining us in this conversation are Rayann Silva and Mari Meador from the University of Washington’s School Mental Health Assessment Research and Training (SMART) Center. Rayann has done it all in education. From classroom teacher to district administrator, to state/regional school mental health training and technical assistance provider, she centers social-emotional well-being in every role she holds...2024-04-1636 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp 38 : Mythbusters - There Are Some Students Skewing Our Schoolwide DataHave you heard this before in your teams: If we removed these students from our schoolwide data, our trends would look better. In this episode, we’re tackling the myth that some students’ behavior data skew our schoolwide data. Joining us in this conversation are Rayann Silva and Mari Meador from the University of Washington’s School Mental Health Assessment Research and Training (SMART) Center. Rayann has done it all in education. From classroom teacher to district administrator, to state/regional school mental health training and technical assistance provider, she centers social-emotional well-being in every role she holds...2024-04-1636 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 20 Celebrating the Legacy of Phil Heflin: PBIS and the Art of Inspiration in High School EducationEmbark on an educational odyssey with the wisdom of Phil Heflin, a retired educator whose 37-year legacy is marked by transforming lives within the classroom walls. Our latest episode captures the heartwarming tales of a man whose journey from academic hardship to beloved teacher and administrator embodies the spirit of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Phil's stories resonate with the power of personal connections, the moments that spark a student's passion, and the gentle art of acknowledgment that can turn an ordinary classroom into a haven of inspiration.High school may seem like a tough nut...2024-04-1624 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 19 Inspiring Intrinsic Motivation in Second Graders through PBIS and Leadership ToolsEver wondered how the delicate art of positive reinforcement can ignite a child’s intrinsic motivation? Let us take you by the hand and walk you through the enchanting world of PBIS, where our second-grade heroes, Lynda Jones and Susan Zifer, weave tales of triumph, heartfelt reasons for choosing the teaching path and the sheer magic of personalized acknowledgment systems. Their approach isn’t just about doling out rewards; it’s about using peer interactions and the power of recognition to foster strong relationships and encourage students to take ownership of their behavior and learning.Imagine a place...2024-04-0926 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 37: Choosing the Right Application to Track Your PBIS ImplementationThere are two primary questions every team should ask related to their PBIS implementation: Are we doing what we said we would do? (Fidelity) How does our implementation affect the people in our school? (Outcomes)Because PBIS is an evidence-based framework, you know there are data to help you answer these questions. Which brings us to today’s topic: How do you choose a system to store and monitor the fidelity and outcome data you collect? Joining us today to help us answer that question are Diertra Lomeli and Seth May. Diertra is the PBISApps Cu...2024-03-1940 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 18 Igniting a PBIS Movement for Transformative Education at Dover IntermediateDiscover the heartwarming stories and innovative strategies behind Dover Avenue Elementary's transformation in student behavior management. Join us as Katie and Mary the dynamic duo from Dover, unravel their personal journeys into the world of education, driven by deep-rooted passions and family legacies. Katie's transition from classroom to administration, fueled by her innate leadership qualities, and Mary's candid reflections on the daily rollercoaster of teaching fifth-grade math, weave together a narrative of commitment and empathy. As we unravel the complexities of handling challenging behaviors, we celebrate the collaborative spirit that empowers the Dover Avenue Elementary community to rise above a...2024-03-1222 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 17 Inspiring Academic Growth: The Power of Personalized Recognition and Leadership Binders in PBISDiscover how a heartfelt tale of triumph over fractions can change the way we approach education. This episode brings you the inspiring voice of Autumn Thomas, a fifth-grade educator with a decade-plus of experience, who joins Dianne Ferrell and me to share her story and strategies for harnessing the power of personalized acknowledgment to inspire a love for learning in students. We discuss Autumn's transformative 10-day reward system and dive into the magic of consistent positive reinforcement in shaping not only behavior but the future of our children.Ever wondered how to capture a student's academic journey...2024-03-0525 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 16 Innovative Approaches to Discipline with PBIS PrinciplesUnlock the secrets of innovative student behavior management with Minerva Elementary's reflection room, guided by the wisdom of PBIS principles. Dianne Ferrell and I, Diane Ruff, explore how the calm of reflection can transform student behavior, sharing our "three Rs" strategy that empowers students to reflect, reset, and return to class with a fresh perspective. Our conversation dismantles the myth that PBIS is synonymous with leniency, shining a light on constructive, instructional consequences that pave the way for meaningful behavior change. Inspired by insights from the "Expert Instruction: The Teach by Design" podcast, we reveal how to craft consequences...2024-02-2726 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 36: Culturally Sustaining PracticesFor PBIS implementation to feel authentic to your school’s culture, it’s important to ask your larger schoolwide community for their feedback about the systems and practices you’ve put in place AND to use that feedback to improve your implementation.In this episode, Dr. Ambra Green joins us to talk about how you can implement the foundational features of PBIS to create culturally sustaining, truly inclusive spaces. Ambra is an Associate Professor of Special Education at The University of Texas at Arlington. She is a national scholar with publications and research focused on studen...2024-02-2041 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 15 Reflect, Reorganize, Return: The Reflection Room's Role in PBIS SuccessEmbark on a transformative journey with Dianne Ferrell and me, Diane Ruff, as we pull back the curtain on our pioneering PBIS system. Our special guest, educational aide Nicole Sell, lends her expertise, sharing how a simple idea I proposed during my assistant principal interview led to the creation of the Reflection Room—a sanctuary for emotional and behavioral recalibration. We delve into the nuances of managing behaviors through sensory strategies and how even the most restless student can find solace and a path back to focused learning within the walls of this innovative space.As we tr...2024-02-2026 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 14 Guiding a District to Excellence: The PBIS Transformation with Erica BauerEmbark on an educational odyssey with Erica Bauer, the heart and soul behind Green Local Schools' remarkable shift towards a nurturing and conducive learning atmosphere. As a school counselor and the mastermind coordinating PBIS district-wide, Erica joins us, along with Diane Ruff and Dianne Ferrell to unfold the narrative of how positive reinforcement and strategic behavioral supports can revolutionize a school district. We celebrate the triumphs and discuss the texture of the journey that led to the successful implementation of Tier 1 support systems and recognition through esteemed awards. With a passionate emphasis on forging strong relationships within the school...2024-02-1321 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 13 Unlocking Student Potential with Effective PBIS PracticesJourney with us as we navigate the transformative landscape of PBIS, where we have an illuminating chat with a seasoned high school assistant principal. Discover the profound effects of a well-crafted school-wide matrix, the lighthouse for expected student behavior, and the marvels of positive reinforcement when consistently applied from the classroom to the corridors. We pull back the curtain to reveal the intricate dance between office-managed and classroom-managed behaviors, sharing inside knowledge on creating a unified front in behavior management that resonates throughout the school's culture.Embark on a deeper exploration of behavior management artistry and the...2024-02-0625 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 12 Fostering Educational Excellence: The PBIS Success Story at Malvern ElementaryUnlock the secrets to cultivating an educational oasis where students thrive behaviorally and academically. Our esteemed guest, Danielle Hawk, the principal of Malvern Elementary, brings to light the transformative effects of building strong relationships and a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system in the school setting. As we unpack her evolution from a middle school math teacher to a beacon of leadership, you'll learn how genuine connections with students can reshape an entire educational experience. Danielle's narrative reveals that recognizing and addressing the unique needs of each child isn't just a lofty ideal—it's a practical strategy that up...2024-01-3017 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 11 Positive Reinforcement Revolution: The PBIS Journey at Washington High with Renee ParrUnlock the potential of positive reinforcement in education with Renee Parr, the passionate Assistant Principal of Washington High School, as she sheds light on the transformative effects of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Through her lens, we explore an educational philosophy that emphasizes what students should do, not what they shouldn't, and how this has revolutionized the learning atmosphere at Washington High. Prepare to be inspired by Renee's heartwarming stories from her 32-year career that underscore the inherent goodness in students and the importance of celebrating their achievements, whether on the sports field or in career tech programs.2024-01-2325 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 10: Unveiling the Transformative Journey of PBIS from Primary to Upper GradesImagine transforming your teaching approach to nurture every student's potential as they progress through school. That's precisely the mission Carol Mieroff champions, and she's joining us to share her wisdom on the transition from primary to upper grades within the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports system. With a personal narrative of becoming the teacher she once needed, Carol's insights bridge the gap between creating lasting student relationships and implementing effective recognition strategies that resonate with older children. Her poignant story of a former student's message, 25 years in the making, exemplifies the enduring influence a teacher can have....2024-01-1732 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 35: Mythbusters – There Are No Consequences in PBISToday, we’re bringing you another installment in our mythbuster series. In October, we tackled the myth that PBIS is only about rewards. Spoiler alert: Rewards are part of it, but there’s more to it than the myth suggests. In this episode, we’re exploring the myth: There are no consequences in PBIS. Back again to help us bust this myth is Dr. Kent McIntosh.Kent is the Philip H. Knight Chair of Special Education at the University of Oregon and the Director at PBISApps. He is also Co-Director of the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Su...2024-01-1641 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 9 Classroom Acknowledgement System: Insights from a Kindergarten TeacherWhat if you had the power to transform classroom behavior and build powerful relationships with your students? Breathe life into theory as we sit down with kindergarten teacher Erin Roach, who shares her real-world experiences in implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in her classroom. We'll kickstart the journey at the heart of PBIS, the boot camp, where Erin reveals the importance of teaching and practicing procedures with students to create a solid foundation. She also takes you through the intriguing concept of 10-day rewards and the secrets behind the tier one acknowledgment system.In the...2023-12-1224 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEPISODE 8 PBIS Boot Camp: Where Theory Comes to LifeEver wondered why your child’s school places so much emphasis on something called PBIS? What if we told you that it’s the key to managing student behavior and promoting a positive learning environment? Join us today as we unravel the mysteries behind the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) system in schools and explain how crucial data is in guiding its implementation. We'll share insights into the use of programs like SWIS for data assessment and an inside look at how we create an expected behavior matrix for different school zones.Let's paint a picture toge...2023-12-0527 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 34: PBIS Conferences as Professional DevelopmentA system-level feature of your PBIS implementation involves the professional development you offer to all staff. Many of us take advantage of conferences to receive professional development, especially related to our PBIS implementation. We love a good conference. We also know lecture-style learning alone isn’t enough to sustain the outcomes we want to achieve. We wondered what it would look like to leverage our conference experience to supplement our on-going professional learning. We called on some conference organizers for our favorite PBIS conferences to see what they had to say about this idea. Joining us...2023-11-2136 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 7 PBIS and the Magic of Data: A Tale of Changing Student BehaviorHave you ever wondered how data can be used to positively influence behavior management in schools? Join us for an engaging discussion with Becky Miller, Assistant Principal at Minerva Elementary, as we uncover the truth. With her admirable passion for children and love for data, Becky transitioned from the classroom to administration to take her mission to the next level. During our enlightening chat, Becky opens up about the integral role of data in Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS). She provides an intriguing glimpse into the workings of Minerva Elementary, with an example of how behavior data h...2023-11-2129 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 6 The Power of Teacher Buy-InEver wonder what it takes to build a resilient and effective educational system? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Christine Hunt, a seasoned educator with 28 years of experience in our district, as we journey through her personal experiences, challenges, and rewarding moments. She enlightens us on her 'why' for choosing education as a career, a passion ignited by an influential third grade teacher, and her 'AHA moment' when she realized the pivotal role of student-teacher relationships in fostering success.As we navigate through Christine's journey, we tackle the challenging task she faced when two schools in...2023-11-1427 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 5 A Voice With ChoiceWhat does it take to become a teacher and navigate the complexities of different school environments? Kendra Peterson, a seasoned educator who's journeyed with us from the start of the PBIS system, joins us to shed light on her path to teaching and the significant role educators play in shaping future teachers. Kendra's personal experience, from her childhood fascination with school to a high school teacher's words of encouragement, inspired her to step into the world of teaching. In this episode, she opens up about her 'aha moment' during her first year of teaching, and the overwhelming sense of...2023-11-0726 minPBIS Journey to GeniusPBIS the NUTS and BOLTS OF IT!What if there was a way to create a school environment that promotes good behavior, not by punishing the bad, but by positively reinforcing the good? Picture a school in which staff have a substantial say in shaping a framework to maintain discipline and order, a place where rules are clear, expectations are high, and equity is the order of the day. This is the promise of Positive Behavior, Intervention, and Support (PBIS), and that's what we're discussing in this insightful episode. As we progress, we take the PBIS concept into the classroom, shedding light on the i...2023-10-2619 minExpert Instruction: The Teach by Design PodcastEp. 33: Mythbusters – PBIS is Just About Rewards and TokensWe’re back with the second installment of our Expert Instruction Mythbusters series. Today we’re exploring the myth: “PBIS is just about rewards and tokens.” Joining us in conversation is Dr. Kent McIntosh.Kent is the Philip H. Knight Chair of Special Education at the University of Oregon and the Director at PBISApps. He is also Co-Director of the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. His current research focuses on increasing racial equity in school discipline, and implementation and sustainability of systems for social, emotional, and behavior support in schools.During our discussion, we explo...2023-10-1747 minPBIS Journey to GeniusEpisode 3 Part 2 The Struggle is RealIn this episode, Dianne, Diane and Michelle share how change is most effective when teachers are part of the process.https://www.pbisapps.org/articles/episode-352023-10-1719 min