MTSS Integrated Conference &#x27;26

Drowning in data but starving for clarity? This session introduces the Assessment Roadmap pathway—an action-oriented approach to aligning assessments with purpose, teaming structures, and decision-making across MTSS. Participants will explore ready-to-use tools and templates and engage with modeled examples of what is possible, inspired by district practice, to see how the right data can reach the right teams at the right time to drive meaningful action.

Speakers

Andrea Bowman

Regional MTSS Implementation Strategist, Olympic Educational Service District 114

Andrea Bowman currently serves as a Regional Implementation Strategist at Olympic Educational Service District 114, where she partners with district and building leaders to assess their current MTSS design and support action planning for system-wide improvements. Her work centers... Read More →

Kjersti Clayton

ESD 105

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT
Fountain 3

Data & Assessment

Target Audience Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Developing, Proficient
Grade Band District-wide

10:40am PDT

Making MTSS Work: Building a System That Supports Every Student

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT

Fountain 1

Learn how a district operationalized MTSS to create consistent, high-quality instruction and targeted supports across all schools. This session highlights practical structures, including use of the AIR MTSS Fidelity Rubric, building-level interviews, and data-informed decision-making to strengthen Tier 1 and align teams. Participants will leave equipped with actionable tools and strategies to critically examine their systems, surface strengths, address gaps, and take purposeful next steps to accelerate their MTSS implementation.

Speakers

Glenn Johnson

Superintendent, Cashmere School District

Linda McKay

Deputy Superintendent, NCESD 171

Each of Washington’s nine Educational Service Districts (ESDs) provides essential local services, responsive to their region’s communities. Together, they form a network that leverages each other’s strengths, and supports all students and schools statewide.

OSPI and ESD superintendents represented within the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD) have agreed to commit to establishing and maintaining the OSPI/AESD partnership. They are working together to realize an open and coordinated system focused on shared statewide... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT
Fountain 1

Data & Assessment

Target Audience MTSS Coach/Specialists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Developing, Proficient
Grade Band District-wide

10:40am PDT

Aligned on Paper, Stuck in Practice: Using the Knoster Model to Build Inclusive Systems That Actually Work

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT

Fuji 1

When MTSS collaboration breaks down, it's rarely a people problem — it's a systems problem. This session uses the Knoster Model for Managing Complex Change as a diagnostic lens for why inclusive systems stall, drawing on honest case studies from Washington state IPTN demonstration site teams. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of what collaboration requires and a practical framework to diagnose exactly where their system needs attention.

Speakers

RinaMarie Leon Geurrero

Project Coordinator, None

Shane Miramontez

Inclusion Specialist, Other

Stacia Tellefson

Other

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT
Fuji 1

Target Audience Principals, MTSS Coach/Specialists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

10:40am PDT

Beyond Compliance: Leadership Lessons in Hope

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT

Gala 3

Special education leadership is becoming increasingly complex. Legal requirements, staffing shortages, student needs, and system pressures can leave leaders feeling overwhelmed. While compliance remains essential, it cannot be the ultimate goal.
Drawing from 36 years of experience in special education, this session explores how leaders can move beyond survival toward building systems that support students, staff, and themselves. Participants will reflect on the realities of leadership today, reconnect with the purpose of the work, and leave with practical tools for sustaining excellence and hope in challenging systems.

Outcomes -
✔ renewed sense of purpose
✔ emotional steadiness
✔ two practical leadership tools
✔ reflection on their own leadership journey

Speakers

Justin Bradford

Executive Director of Special Services, ESD 123

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT
Gala 3

Target Audience Principals, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band District-wide

10:40am PDT

From Instruction to Referral: Getting MTSS Right for Multilingual Learners with Culturally Responsive Practices

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT

Orchard North

This session explores how MTSS and the pre referral process should function for multilingual learners. Participants will examine culturally and linguistically responsive practices, the integration of English Language Development across all MTSS tiers, and structured tools to guide decision making. Attendees will leave with practical tools and reflective questions to support whole child data review, instructional access, and the differentiation of language difference from disability prior to special education referral.

Speakers

Kad El-Atwani

Multilingual Program Supervisor-OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Kadriye El-Atwani (a.k.a Dr. Kad) is a Multilingual Education Program Supervisor at the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), currently residing in Eastern Washington. Before joining OSPI, Dr. Kad served as a Multilingual Education Specialist at the New... Read More →

Virginia Morales

Assistant Director of Multilingual Education, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Virginia Morales is the Assistant Director of Multilingual Education with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She has over 20 years’ experience in the field of Multilingual Education. Most recently, Virginia was a Professional Learning Specialist at WIDA. In addition... Read More →

Katie Sperling

Multilingual Education Program Supervisor, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Katie Sperling is a Multilingual Education Program Supervisor with more than 20 years of experience teaching and leading K–12 language development programs across Washington State. In her current role at OSPI, Katie provides statewide leadership and technical assistance to support... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT
Orchard North

Multilingual Learners

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

10:40am PDT

Skill-Building Alternative to Punitive Safety Responses

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT

Gala 1

Schools are increasingly challenged to respond to concerning student behavior in ways that maintain safety without relying on exclusionary or punitive discipline. This session explores how behavior support practices and behavioral threat assessment can work together to create proactive, skill-building responses. Grounded in applied behavior analysis and multidisciplinary threat assessment principles, participants will learn how understanding behavior as communication helps teams move beyond reaction toward prevention, shared decision-making, and supportive interventions that balance safety, dignity, inclusion, and staff confidence.

Speakers

Anna Troutman

Managing Director, NCESD

Anna Troutman has integrated her background in behavior analysis and special education into leading this statewide program. Prior to MASH, Anna has worked as a clinical, in-home, and school-based BCBA, as well as an elementary special education teacher. Embracing the wrap-around service... Read More →

Hunter McLeod

Threat Assessment Coordinator, ESD 171

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT
Gala 1

Target Audience Principals, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors
Experience Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary

10:40am PDT

Identifying and Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness Using the MTSS Framework

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT

Fuji 3

If you are looking for effective, inclusive strategies for supporting students experiencing homelessness within the MTSS framework, this informative session is for you. Through discussion, collaborative activities and real-world examples, participants will learn:
• How inclusive systems can remove barriers to student success.
• Practical strategies for early identification of students experiencing homelessness.
• How to design and implement evidence-based supports at all tiers of MTSS.
• Strategies for building cross system collaborations.
Participants will leave this session equipped to support this vulnerable student group, while connecting students and families with essential resources both at school and in the community.

Speakers

Vivian Rogers Decker

Homeless Student Stability Education Program Supervisor, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Vivian Rogers Decker has spent over 30 years in education serving students and families experiencing trauma, poverty, and housing insecurity. Currently she serves as the Homeless Student Stability Education Program Supervisor for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction... Read More →

Rosemary Peterson

Education & Employment Manager, Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Homeless Youth

Rosemary Peterson (she/her) is the Education & Employment Manager for the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Homeless Youth (OHY), where she leads statewide initiatives to expand education, training, and economic opportunity for young people experiencing homelessness. Her commitment to this... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT
Fuji 3

SEL & Mental Health

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band District-wide

12:40pm PDT

Your MTSS Roadmap: A Strategic Planning Session for School Teams

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT

Fountain 1

MTSS works best when teams plan together. Bring your team to this collaborative workshop where you will conduct a self-assessment of current MTSS practices, explore implementation barriers through root cause analysis, and use structured planning time to identify intentional next steps. Whether your team is building, strengthening, or refining MTSS practices, this session provides structured time to reflect, problem-solve, and plan next steps together.

Speakers

Emily Bushouse

Behavior Inclusion Coach, NCESD 171

Emily is originally from Michigan where she earned her Educational Specialist degree in school psychology. She has worked in Michigan, Oregon, Arizona, and Washington in public school, university, and residential settings, serving students with special needs from preK through university... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT
Fountain 1

General MTSS Practice

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

12:40pm PDT

Beyond the Tiered Pyramid: Driving Sustainable Change through Leadership and Well-being

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT

Fuji 2

Implementing a Social-Emotional and Behavioral (SEB) MTSS framework is often viewed as the definitive roadmap for student success, yet many districts find these initiatives stalling at the "educator buy-in" phase. Why? Because systems are only as strong as the people who power them. This session explores how leadership practices support SEB and Special Education programming to prevent initiative failure.

-Audit implementation friction to diagnose systemic challenges.

-Move beyond mandates to co-designed professional trust.

-Operationalize well-being, recognizing regulated adults as the primary intervention.

-Align SpEd with MTSS to bridge silos and create unified support

Speakers

Annalisa Sanchez

Educational Consultant, Lumera Leadership

I specialize in supporting school and district leaders as they design and sustain effective SEB MTSS and special education systems. My approach is rooted in the belief that leadership comes first. I have often seen strong initiatives stall because student supports exceed adult readiness... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT
Fuji 2

Target Audience Principals, MTSS Coach/Specialists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

12:40pm PDT

From Silos to Systems: Reimagining School Safety Through MTSS

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT

Gala 3

School safety and violence prevention is most effective when it is embedded within a strong Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), rather than implemented as a standalone initiative.
This session will highlight how districts can integrate safety and violence prevention strategies across Tiered supports. Presenters will share how school-based threat assessment, behavioral health supports, and community partnerships are being aligned within MTSS to create more cohesive and responsive systems.
Attendees will leave with practical strategies and tools to integrate violence prevention into their existing MTSS framework.

Speakers

Amber Wynn

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT
Gala 3

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

12:40pm PDT

The Tier 2 Black Hole: Fixing the System Before Behavior Becomes Risk

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT

Gala 1

Students often stall in Tier 2 supports, where unclear systems, inconsistent interventions, and weak progress monitoring limit impact. This session helps teams identify why students get stuck and how to strengthen Tier 2 as an early prevention layer. Participants will learn to diagnose system breakdowns, apply clear decision rules, and recognize patterns of escalation—supporting timely intervention and reducing the likelihood of behavior progressing to more significant safety or threat concerns.

Speakers

Hunter McLeod

Threat Assessment Coordinator, ESD 171

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT
Gala 1

Target Audience Principals, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, District Administration
Experience Proficient
Grade Band District-wide

12:40pm PDT

Inner Spark - Peer to Peer T-SEL Support

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT

Fuji 3

This session introduces Inner Spark, a component of the Domestic Harmonizer Program that empowers high school students as peer-to-peer leaders promoting Transformative Social-Emotional Learning (T-SEL). Grounded in cognitive science principles, the program builds leadership skills, supports stress management, and deepens emotional understanding while clarifying boundaries of peer support. Participants attending this session will learn several cognitive and somatic practices that strengthen self-awareness, connection, resiliency among students.

Speakers

Karen DeVoogd

Non-Profit Leader, Other

Conflict Resolution Educator Trainer for the DHP. She was formerly also a faculty instructor with the system-wide California State University multiple subject teacher credential program, CalStateTEACH through the CSU Chancellor’s Office and CSU Fresno.

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT
Fuji 3

SEL & Mental Health

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists
Experience Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Secondary

12:40pm PDT

The Science of Hope

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT

Gala 2

Hope is not wishful thinking—it is a measurable, teachable framework linked to improved academic, social, and emotional outcomes. This session introduces the Science of Hope, grounded in the research of goals, pathways, and agency, and explores how schools can intentionally build hope within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Participants will leave with practical strategies to foster hope for students and adults, strengthening engagement, resilience, and well being across tiers.

Speakers

Jolynn Kenney

Executive Director, Other

Executive Director by day. Professional hope-instigator by night. Leads a statewide nonprofit, corrals mentors like a benevolent chaos wizard, and will absolutely ask you to “just real quick reimagine the entire system” before lunch. Fueled by coffee, justice, and a deeply held... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm PDT
Gala 2

SEL & Mental Health

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

1:50pm PDT

Elevating Student Voice to Transform MTSS Systems

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Orchard North

This session centers student voice as a critical driver of effective, equitable MTSS. Participants explore how student perspectives can strengthen universal instruction and targeted supports, practice tools such as empathy interviews and student-led data reviews, and examine implications for Tier 1 redesign. Through reflection and collaborative planning, teams identify concrete ways to elevate student agency and embed student feedback into MTSS systems and decision-making.

Speakers

Trish Geraghty

Collaborative Learning Solutions

With over two decades in K-12 and higher education, Trish helps schools turn research and frameworks into actual practice. Her expertise spans MTSS, Universal Design for Learning, instructional coaching, and strengths-based leadership approaches she's used to help schools remove barriers... Read More →

Jodi Shuppert

Principal, Kern School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Orchard North

Data & Assessment

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Secondary, District-wide

1:50pm PDT

Beyond the Binary: Gender Inclusive Classrooms Uplift and Celebrate Transgender Youth

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Gala 3

Participants will first experience an intro level session on gender diversity for school staff, including Tier 1 strategies to create intentionally inclusive spaces. Then, they will explore research that clearly indicates the need for this work and policy that calls for Washington educators to take action. Then, they will embark on a journey to explore multiple paths to classroom, school-wide, and district implementation of inclusive educational spaces that uplift and celebrate trans youth.

Speakers

Tracy Werthman

Social Emotional Learning Specialist, Highline School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Gala 3

Equity & Inclusion

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band District-wide

1:50pm PDT

From "we should" to "we did"; District Implementation Planning that Actually Works

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Fountain 3

District leaders are great at setting goals—but turning those goals into daily practice is where things often fall apart. In this session, we’ll unpack what implementation planning really is (and what it is not), why it matters for district and implementation teams, and how it can move your work from aspirational to actionable. Participants will explore how implementation science clarifies roles, structures, and next steps—and leave with concrete tools to strengthen follow-through without adding more to their plates.

Speakers

Andrea Bowman

Regional MTSS Implementation Strategist, Olympic Educational Service District 114

Kjersti Clayton

ESD 105

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Fountain 3

Target Audience Principals, MTSS Coach/Specialists, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band District-wide

1:50pm PDT

From Reflection to Action: Using the Principles & Practices Tool to Build Inclusive MTSS Systems

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Fountain 2

Most MTSS frameworks ask teams to measure fidelity to structures. But structures don't change systems — people do. In this session, participants will explore the Principles & Practices Tool, a self-assessment grounded in appreciative inquiry, developed through the UW Haring Center's Inclusionary Practices Technical Network. Washington state demonstration site teams share how the P&P Tool shifted conversations from compliance to conviction — creating conditions for more inclusive, sustainable MTSS implementation rooted in belonging and equity.

Speakers

RinaMarie Leon Geurrero

Project Coordinator, None

Shane Miramontez

Inclusion Specialist, Other

Stacia Tellefson

Other

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Fountain 2

Target Audience Principals, MTSS Coach/Specialists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

1:50pm PDT

Before It Escalates: The Connection between HIB & Threat Assessment

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Gala 1

This applied training focuses on Washington State’s Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) procedures and School-Based Threat Assessment practices. Using practical applications, participants will explore the realities of how school safety has intersections with school climate, student behavior, and intervention systems. Participants will practice how to identify behaviors and provide early intervention, implement safety interventions, and support students using existing systems to balance safety and inclusion.

Speakers

Jocelyn Nunez

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Amber Wynn

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Gala 1

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

1:50pm PDT

Bridging BTAM and MTSS: A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Approach to School Safety

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Red Delicious

Discover how Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) already reflects
core MTSS principles through early identification, multidisciplinary teaming, and tiered
intervention. This session highlights the SK Cascade Student Threat Assessment Team
(STAT) Process and connects research, real-world application, and system alignment to
demonstrate how comprehensive threat assessment processes address threats of
school violence. Outcomes include identifying opportunities to strengthen violence
prevention, enhancing team collaboration, and aligning evidence-based practices and
the MTSS framework.

Speakers

Courtenay McCarthy

Senior Advisor, School Safety Solutions, Public Consulting Group

Courtenay is a school psychologist and senior advisor of school safety solutions for Public Consulting Group. She served over a decade as the lead school psychologist in student threat assessment and management for Salem-Keizer Public Schools, conducting multidisciplinary behavioral... Read More →

John VanDreal

Chief Architect, Violence Prevention Solutions; School Psychologist, Public Consulting Group

John Van Dreal is a school psychologist, the chief architect of violence prevention solutions for Public Consulting Group, and the retired director of Safety and Risk Management Services for the Salem-Keizer School District. He continues his career consulting with school districts and communities... Read More →

Katie Callahan

Research Assistant, University of Washington Tacoma

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Red Delicious

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

1:50pm PDT

Policy to Practice: Universal Mental Health Screening in Washington

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Golden Delicious