top of page
The Blog


How to Bring MTSS and PBIS Into Your School: Training & Resources
Across the country, schools are searching for ways to meet the diverse academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of every student. But managing all those layers of support while juggling limited time and resources can feel overwhelming. That’s why many districts are turning to MTSS and PBIS . Together, these frameworks help schools create systems that are proactive, consistent, and focused on the whole child. If your school is ready to take the next step, this guide w

INcompassing Education
Apr 14 min read


Behavior Support in Schools: How MTSS and PBIS Work Together
Every school wants classrooms where students feel safe, respected, and ready to learn. But creating that environment doesn’t happen by chance; it requires consistent, proactive systems for teaching and reinforcing positive behavior. That’s where MTSS and PBIS come in. These two frameworks, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) , work hand-in-hand to build schoolwide systems that promote both academic and behavioral

INcompassing Education
Mar 254 min read


MTSS vs RTI: What’s the Difference?
If you work in education, you’ve likely heard the terms MTSS and RTI used interchangeably. Both frameworks aim to help students succeed through early intervention and data-driven decision-making, but they’re not quite the same. Understanding MTSS vs RTI is essential for building systems that meet the needs of every learner. In this guide, we’ll break down how the two models relate, where they differ, and why many schools are shifting from RTI to MTSS as a more comprehensi

INcompassing Education
Mar 184 min read


MTSS Tiers Explained: A Practical Guide for Educators
Every student learns differently, and that means every student needs a different level of support to succeed. The challenge for schools is figuring out how to identify those needs and provide help before small struggles become big barriers. That’s where the MTSS framework comes in. Short for Multi-Tiered System of Supports , MTSS gives educators a structured, data-driven way to meet every learner where they are, academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. In this guide, we

INcompassing Education
Mar 114 min read


PBIS Meaning Explained: What Does PBIS Stand For in Schools?
If you’ve spent any time in education, you’ve probably heard the acronym PBIS in staff meetings, professional development sessions, or district plans. But for many educators, the term still feels a little abstract. So, what exactly does PBIS mean? And why has it become such a cornerstone of effective behavior management in schools across the country? Let’s break down the PBIS meaning , explore how it works, and understand why this proactive framework is transforming school c

INcompassing Education
Feb 254 min read


Supporting the Whole Child: Connecting Social-Emotional Learning, MTSS, and Classroom Management
Student success isn’t just about test scores — it’s about developing the whole child. That means addressing academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs in a coordinated way. Across the country, schools are finding that Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and classroom management are three essential pillars that, when integrated, create thriving learning environments. When teachers and leaders align these elements, students not o

INcompassing Education
Feb 43 min read


From RTI to MTSS: How Special Education and Multilingual Learners Fit Into the Framework
Many schools are shifting from Response to Intervention (RTI) to a broader Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This transition provides schools with the opportunity to strengthen instruction for all learners, including students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and multilingual learners. Understanding how these groups fit into MTSS is critical for ensuring equity, compliance, and student growth. When schools embed special education and language supports in

INcompassing Education
Jan 213 min read


Building Strong Classrooms: How Behavior Management and Curriculum Support Work Together
Classrooms are the heartbeat of schools — where instruction, engagement, and relationships all come together. But building strong classrooms requires more than just great lessons; it also requires effective systems for behavior management, aligned curriculum, and meaningful assessment practices

INcompassing Education
Jan 73 min read


Making Data-Driven Decisions in MTSS
Whether you're working in an elementary, middle, or high school setting, there are key ways to bring data-driven decision-making to life in your MTSS work.
Brian Lovell
Aug 25, 20253 min read


Building a Strong MTSS Framework: The FOUR Essential Assessment Elements
Schools and districts can establish strong systems to ensure students receive targeted instruction and support.
Brian Lovell
Jun 2, 20253 min read


The Heart of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS): THREE Important Ways Educators Can Bring the Framework to Life
MTSS isn’t just about interventions and data. Let’s explore three critical ways educators are essential to successful MTSS implementation.
Brian Lovell
Feb 17, 20252 min read


Exciting News: INcompassing Education Expands Services for Schools and Teachers!
At INcompassing Education, we are thrilled to share some exciting news! We’ve expanded our services to offer even more support for schools.
Dianne McKinley
Oct 25, 20241 min read


The Value of Student Check-Ins
These check-ins allow teachers to monitor student progress and well-being while fostering engagement.
William Reed
Oct 21, 20243 min read


The Importance of Quality Professional Development
We all know that teaching is a profession that truly is a calling. Teachers who stay in the profession for a long-time care deeply about the students and the subject they are teaching. I know, I was in the classroom for over 33 years. We also know that the demands on teachers have increased greatly over recent years.
Here in Indiana, this year is especially hard on teachers with a completely new set of academic standards that were adopted in June. There are new high-sta
Dianne McKinley
Sep 18, 20234 min read


Strengthening MTSS Tier 2 Behavioral Systems and Supports
MTSS, or multi-tiered systems and supports, encompasses a tiered approach to academics, behavior, and social emotional learning giving us a better picture of the way these components all work together for our students. Tier 1 includes services that ALL students receive. To learn more about building a strong tier 1, check this out! By setting up a solid foundation and clear process, we are able to shift to a preventative lens, intervene earlier, and benefit ALL students. Today
Dianne McKinley
Feb 28, 20234 min read


Strengthening MTSS Tier One Behavioral Systems and Supports
Check out my free one hour session to gain a better understanding of the importance of a solid MTSS foundation and leave with a plethora of resources to support your efforts no matter where you are in building your school’s or district’s system! All of the resources mentioned in the video are linked below. Click here or on the image below to access the video!
Tiffany Creager
Jan 25, 20232 min read


STEM Professional Teaching Organizations
STEM professional teaching organizations are among the best opportunities teachers have to grow and improve. Administrators and teachers alike should be researching, understanding, and promoting all the benefits STEM professional teaching organizations provide to help promote and improve teaching and learning.
William Reed
Jan 13, 20223 min read


Understanding and Addressing Stress in the Classroom
Stress is a part of life and it can even be helpful! We perform better under some level of stress, it can motivate us to reach our goals and even plays a part in our development into happy, healthy adults. In fact, some of the most joyful events in our lives come with some level of stress – new jobs, new relationships, planning weddings, having babies, buying a new home, and even vacations!
Tiffany Creager
Nov 8, 20218 min read


Value-Based Living, Working, and Leading - Swapping Resolutions for Reflection in the New Year
As most of us learned in the past year, we can’t predict what will happen next and when we feel out of control or faced with a lot of new, potentially frightening, things all at once it is easy to get overwhelmed, burnt out, and disconnected. Perhaps, if we spend time looking inward rather than out for answers, we might find ourselves better equipped to grow through the tough times without losing ourselves. I believe this might be true for individuals, organizations, and ev
Tiffany Creager
Jan 15, 20218 min read


Suicide Prevention Among Students
The pressures of modern life, anxiety disorders, and depression are common emotional and psychological problems that children nowadays face at a very young age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third leading cause of death among the youth ages 10 to 24. Suicide prevention and intervention programs in the ongoing professional development for teachers and education support professionals can help mitigate the risk of suicide among
Tiffany Creager
Feb 19, 20183 min read
bottom of page

