MTSS Integrated Conference &#x27;26

How do MTSS and the Washington Integrated Student Supports Protocol fit together in practice? This session helps district and program leaders move from parallel efforts to a coherent system. We will clarify what MTSS is—and is not—as a systems framework, and how it supports the design and implementation of integrated student supports. Through examples and guided reflection, participants will examine how leadership teams, data systems, and building-level plans align to meet LAP requirements. We will also offer practical entry points for districts at any stage—whether beginning with MTSS or leveraging the Protocol as a driver for system alignment. Participants will leave with concrete next steps to strengthen coherence across initiatives.

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 →

Sheila Gerrish

OSPI

Annie Pennell

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Fountain 3

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

10:10am PDT

Planting the Seeds of MTSS in Rural Schools

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Orchard North

This session shares our rural school’s gradual implementation of MTSS, highlighting practical steps, challenges, and lessons learned. Participants will explore how small systems changes, staff collaboration, and data-informed decision-making led to improved student support and increased staff confidence. Attendees will leave with realistic strategies for starting or strengthening MTSS in small or resource-limited settings.

Speakers

Katherine Blair

Special Services Director, Valley School District

Leoni Johnson

Principal, Valley School District

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Orchard North

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, District Administration
Experience Foundational
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary

10:10am PDT

Rethinking Tier 1 Supports: Re-igniting Joyful Teaching and Learning in the Early Childhood Classroom

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Gala 2

OSPI and the University of Denver will share Tier 1 supports from Building Blocks for Belonging (BB4B) to create learning environments where all young children can access the general education curriculum and experience joyful learning. As they define and explore Tier 1 supports, participants will learn to use strategies and tools from across the mixed delivery system and design activities that diversify instruction and environments while addressing learner variability to promote more joyful teaching experiences.

Speakers

Alissa Rausch

University of Denver

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Gala 2

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, Special Education Directors
Experience Foundational
Grade Band District-wide

10:10am PDT

Math Fluency: A Critical Practice Across All Tiers of Support

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Fuji 2

The words, flexible, efficient, and accurate now appear in the revised Washington Math Standards and are used to define fluency in mathematics. This shift calls for moving instruction away from memorizing facts toward strategies that build true fluency for students K-12. We will learn about high leverage strategies for solving problems that transfer across grade levels, support access for diverse learners, and could be leveraged across all layers of support.

Speakers

Tina Mott

Regional Math Coordinator, Northwest Educational Service District 189

Tina Mott she/herRegional Math CoordinatorNorthwest Educational Service District 189Phone 360-299-4083NWESD Math | Facebook | LinkedIn
Together we can…
... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Fuji 2

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists
Experience Foundational, Developing
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, District-wide

10:10am PDT

The Next Chapter

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Fountain 1

This session explores the evolving role of special education leadership within fully integrated MTSS systems. Drawing on federal‑to‑state lessons learned, IDEA implementation trends, and current funding realities, participants will examine the shift from compliance‑driven practice to instructionally focused systems. Special education directors and leaders will leave with clarity on what to monitor now—and how special education functions as a core driver of MTSS, not an adjacent system.

Speakers

Glenna Gallo

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Fountain 1

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

10:10am PDT

MTSS Tier 1: Building Roadmaps Through Collaboration

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Fountain 2

This session strengthens MTSS Tier 1 foundations in secondary schools by building collaboration, consistency, and shared responsibility for student success. Strong Tier 1 practices improve engagement, reduce course failures, support executive functioning, and lessen the need for intensive interventions. Staff reflect on current practices, identify inconsistencies, set a shared Tier 1 goal, and determine supports needed to implement effective, schoolwide systems.

Speakers

Jenifer Lopez

Tamara Zunis

School Psychologist/Former Teacher, Other

Hi! I am a current School Psychologist in the Puyallup School District. Prior to working in Washington State, I worked as both a general education and special education teacher in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas for over a decade. I am currently part of my district’s secondary... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Fountain 2

Target Audience Principals, Teachers
Experience Foundational
Grade Band Secondary

10:10am PDT

Supporting Multilingual Learners' Pathways to Graduation

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Gala 1

Multilingual Learners (MLs) have unique challenges in meeting graduation requirements and preparing for post-secondary opportunities. In this session, our OSPI team will share strategies to support secondary MLs in their pathways to graduation including awarding credit for coursework completed in other countries, mastery-based crediting, and best practices to support long-term or "experienced" multilinguals in core content classes.

Speakers

Kristin Percy Calaff

Director of Multilingual Education, OSPI

Dr. Kristin Percy Calaff is the Director of Multilingual Education for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She has over 35 years of experience as a dual language teacher, principal, district administrator, and state leader. Kristin holds a Ph.D. in Multilingual/Multicultural... Read More →

Elizabeth LaFever

Dual Language Program Supervisor, OSPI

Veronica Trapani-Huebner

Associate Director - Content, World Languages, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dr. Veronica Trapani-Huebner is the Associate Director of Content for World Languages and International Education at the state of Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She taught German and English for a decade in Michigan, Tennessee, New York, and Germany... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Gala 1

Multilingual Learners

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

10:10am PDT

Recent Online Threat Trends & Practical Tools to Assess and Respond

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Fuji 1

Safer Schools Together (SST) presents a workshop reflecting the most up-to-date worrisome trends identified by SST Threat Analysts in their day-to-day case consultations with Safety/Threat Assessment teams. This session is based on our most sought after Current Online Behavioral Trends and Digital Updates training and will highlight worrisome behaviors frequently identified by our team on platforms like TikTok, Discord, Snapchat, and Telegram. Participants will further learn how to navigate and assess darker corners of the digital world, such as 4chan, Sanctioned Suicide, and Watchpeopledie.tv.

Speakers

Steven MacDonald

Director of Training, Safer Schools Together

Steven joined Safer Schools Together (SST) as a Threat Analyst in 2019 after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. As an Executive Director, he collaborates closely with SST’s CEO, Theresa Campbell, to design and implement training programs such as Behavioral and Digital... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Fuji 1

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

10:10am PDT

Tiered from the Start: An MTSS Approach to Belonging and Social-Emotional Learning in Early Childhood

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Golden Delicious

What does it look like to embed belonging and social-emotional learning into a tiered system from the start? Join our team as we share our experience implementing Preschool Life Skills (PLS) — an evidence-informed, MTSS-aligned curriculum — across five early learning classrooms. Grounded in the WA Pyramid Model and Building Blocks for Belonging, we'll explore our district-OESD coaching partnership: what worked, what we learned, and how this approach builds lasting SEL growth.

Speakers

Laura Batcheller

Director of Special Services, Olympic Educational Service District 114

Lisa Hawkins

Principal, Central Kitsap School District

Lara Richardson

Future Ready Coach, Central Kitsap School District

Hello! I am a Kindergarten teacher who uses technology, play and flexible seating to create an environment in which students feel empowered to take charge of their own learning. 2017 WA Teacher Leader with CORElaborate. Class Dojo Mentor, Google Educator Level 1, Primary Google Guide... Read More →

Paola Stepney

Behavior Specialist, Olympic Educational Service District 114

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Golden Delicious

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, Special Education Directors
Experience Foundational, Developing
Grade Band Elementary

10:10am PDT

Autism: Advocacy is Unconditional. Tier 2 support for social skill intergration in all class settings

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT

Red Delicious

Tier 2 Support for Secondary Students with Autism. Social Skill Foundations of Support across all classrooms based on sociocultural theory, integrating social skills in general education classrooms, recognizing autistic features in classrooms, using evidence-based practices, and creating a classroom and school wide culture of equity. (My Ph.D. dissertation qualitative research)

Speakers

Dr. Kyrin Gregory Ph.D.

Autism Inclusion Special Education, Kennewick School District

Students with autism don't just need passive acceptance disguised as compassion-they need relevant teaching tools, safe space, school-wide cultures of diverse engagement, direct guidance, and naturalistic opportunities to grow socially. Inclusion teachers and all relative school personnel... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am PDT
Red Delicious

Special Education

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

11:20am PDT

Start Strong, Stay Strong: Attendance Matters

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT

Orchard North

Attendance is an important element in the MTSS framework. If students are not attending school it not only has an impact on them individually, but others as well. This session will explore systems work around builiding postiive attendance habits from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Based on NCESD's ATTEND Network and current research around attendance messaging participants will understand the importance of starting early, using language to encourage, not discourage families, and gainiing momentum throughout the year.

Speakers

Ashley Goetz

ESD 171

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT
Orchard North

Attendance

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

11:20am PDT

Curriculum Implementation Leadership: An Enabling Context for Inclusive Systems

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT

Fuji 3

Many principals describe curriculum use in their schools as "hodge-podge" or "all over the place," revealing a structural barrier that undermines the coherence and consistency inclusive systems require. Inequitable Tier 1 access perpetuates the very disparities MTSS is designed to eliminate. Drawing on implementation science and the enabling contexts needed to create conditions for success, this session reimagines the principal's role as a leader of curriculum implementation, equipping participants with four concrete leadership investments to sustain truly inclusive systems.

Speakers

Melissa Van Straten

Director of Teaching, Learning & Leadership, Mount Vernon School District

Dr. Melissa Van Straten is an educational leader and scholar-practitioner who currently serves as the Director of Elementary Teaching, Learning, and Leadership in the Mount Vernon School District in Mount Vernon, WA. Her career includes roles as an elementary classroom teacher, instructional... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT
Fuji 3

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

11:20am PDT

Inclusive Education in Practice

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT

Gala 3

This session will show systems in place at Toppenish Middle School for inclusive education. This includes strong tier 1 systems (including SEL instruction), RTI groups (schoolwide, counselor-led, and inclusive), and delivery and monitoring of SDI across different placements, Attendees will leave knowing how general education curriculums can be adapted so SWD can be involved and progress within general education curriculums at the same time and same classroom as their peers.

Speakers

Brenda Brophil

Toppenish School District

Hello! Thank you for attending MTSS 2026! I have been teaching since 2005. I graduated from CWU in 2005 but moved to the Oregon Coast to begin my career as it was (and is!) beautiful there. I taught within a self-contained and medically fragile classroom for four years, followed... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT
Gala 3

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

11:20am PDT

UDL and the Purposeful Shift: Using AI to Empower Student-Led Learning

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT

Gala 1

Does it ever feel like you’re working harder than your students? Have you spent hours on lessons, only to face disengaged learners? It’s time to shift your practice. Based on the transformative work of Katie Novak, this session explores how to move from a teacher-led to student-led environment where learners take the lead and teachers regain their time.

Speakers

Tracy Dabbs

Director of Technology & Innovation, Burlington-Edison School District

Check out our Ed-Tech Support site:
https://sites.google.com/be.wednet.edu/besd-technology-and-innovation/home

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm 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

11:20am PDT

Where MTSS Meets Safety: Supporting Gang-Impacted Youth Through Aligned Systems

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT

Fuji 1

This session equips educators and multidisciplinary teams with practical strategies to support gang-impacted youth using MTSS and behavioral threat assessment. Participants will explore how to distinguish discipline from threat assessment, align supports across tiers, and build defensible, legally sound responses under Washington State law. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to strengthen prevention, intervention, and reintegration systems while reducing risk and improving student outcomes.

Speakers

Hunter McLeod

Threat Assessment Coordinator, ESD 171

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT
Fuji 1

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

11:20am PDT

Embedding SEL in Everyday Mathematics Instruction

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT

Red Delicious

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is widely recognized as essential for supporting positive student outcomes. Yet, SEL is often addressed separately from core academic instruction, limiting its impact—particularly in mathematics classrooms. Explore how the Standards for Math Practice can be leveraged to integrate SEL within math learning, supporting more equitable teaching and learning. Participants will engage in instructional routines and activities that simultaneously deepen students’ mathematical understanding while strengthening SEL competencies.

Speakers

Tina Mott

Regional Math Coordinator, Northwest Educational Service District 189

Tina Mott she/herRegional Math CoordinatorNorthwest Educational Service District 189Phone 360-299-4083NWESD Math | Facebook | LinkedIn
Together we can…
... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:20am - 12:20pm PDT
Red Delicious

Target Audience Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists
Experience Foundational
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary

1:20pm PDT

Beyond Punishment: Practical Alternatives to Suspension, Restraint and Isolation

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT

Fountain 3

When behavior escalates, exclusion often follows—but it rarely improves outcomes. This session focuses on practical alternatives to suspension, restraint, and isolation. Participants will learn strategies to intervene early, de-escalate effectively, and reteach behavior without power struggles. Grounded in MTSS and SEL, this session equips teams with actionable approaches to reduce exclusion and respond to behavior more effectively.

Speakers

Sue Ann Bube

Presenter, Dynamic Education Consulting & Solutions

Kelley Clevenger

Dynamic Education Consulting & Solutions

Holly Galbreath

School Psychologist, Other

Debra Limon

Lindsay Myatich

Dynamic Education Consulting & Solutions

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT
Fountain 3

Behavior & PBIS

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

1:20pm PDT

ADHD and the Missing Data: What Every MTSS Team Needs to Know

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT

Fountain 2

When MTSS is missing key data about what drives behaviors in students with ADHD, the costs are systemic — student disengagement, teacher burnout, and classrooms that can't function at their best. ADHD is one of the most misunderstood conditions in education, and that misunderstanding is costing us. This session examines how neuroscience should be reshaping our data collection, educator training, and family partnership — and gives MTSS leaders practical tools to change outcomes at scale.

Speakers

Jenny Bethke

Advanced ADHD Life Coach, Jenny Bethke ADHD Coaching

I'm an Advanced ADHD Life Coach (A-CALC) who came to this work to support my own neurodivergent family — and found a passion in helping the helpers at every level, from individual teachers to district leadership teams. I support parents, teachers, schools, and districts not just... Read More →

Ashia Smock

NWESD 189

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT
Fountain 2

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

1:20pm PDT

Implementing Inclusive Kindergarten Programming

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT

Fuji 1

Learn about one school district's journey to ensure early learners with disabilities experience inclusive programming in preschool and kindergarten. Initiating a fully-inclusive kindergarten program (aptly named Developmentally Responsive Kindergarten) is complex and requires a balance of strategy and nuance. This session will discuss celebrations, challenges, and replicable systems to support your district’s journey to support early learners in a truly inclusive learning environment.

Speakers

Melissa Munson-Merritt

Executive Director of Special Services, Bethel School District

Amy Weaver

Bethel School District

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT
Fuji 1

Early Learning

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

1:20pm PDT

From Classrooms to Communities – The Power of Gathering in Education

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT

Fountain 1

Speakers

Priya Parker

Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT
Fountain 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

1:20pm PDT

MTSS from Scratch to Success: Empowering Educators, Students, and Families With a MTSS Success Story for the Virtual School

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT

Gala 1

This professional development session explores how a virtual school designed and implemented a fully functioning Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) from the ground up. Participants will learn key structures, processes, and tools used to build a responsive system in a remote environment. The session highlights first-year successes, future plans, and practical strategies for data-driven decision making, intervention planning, and team collaboration to support all learners effectively in a virtual setting with actionable examples and templates.

Speakers

Katherine Blair

Special Services Director, Valley School District

Taylor Morgan

Intervention Specialist, Valley School District

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT
Gala 1

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

1:20pm PDT

Multi-Tiered System of Supports: A District Implementation Roadmap — An Evidence-Based Framework for Systemic School & District Improvement

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT

Orchard South

MTSS/RTI is not a program you purchase — it is a systemic transformation in how districts think about students, data, and instruction. Drawing on two decades of peer-reviewed research and real-world district experience, this session walks participants through a three-phase, three-year implementation roadmap anchored in four non-negotiable components: a tiered continuum of supports, universal screening, progress monitoring, and data-based decision-making. Equity, family partnership, and lessons from Washington State's Last Mile Project are woven throughout.

Speakers

Cassie Martin

Executive Director of Special Education, OSPI

Dr. Cassie Martin is WA state’s Executive Director of Special Education at OSPI. For over 25 years, Cassie has dedicated her professional life and learning to equitable and inclusive education for students with disabilities in support of strong educational outcomes for all students... Read More →

Tania May

Assistant Superintendent of Special Education, OSPI

Dr. Tania May is the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education for the Washington state Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Her work is focused on collaborating with schools,
community partners, families, and students in support of improved outcomes for stude... Read More →

William Rasplica

Executive Director, Learning Support Services (Retired), UW Bothell

Bill retired after 42 years working in the public schools of Illinois, Iowa and Washington State. Past positions include paraprofessional, special education teacher, principal, AEA special education consultant and district special education administrator. In Washington, Bill has been... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT
Orchard South

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

1:20pm PDT

Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT

Gala 2

This presentation will highlight the U.S. Secret Service’s threat assessment model. This model is intended to proactively identify students displaying concerning or threatening behavior, then gather information to assess and manage risk to reduce the risk of an unwanted outcome. It will also focus on NTAC’s Enhancing School Safety guide which outlines 8 steps school can use to develop or enhance a multidisciplinary targeted violence prevention program.

Speakers

Kristy Domingues

United States Secret Service

Arlene Macias

National Threat Assessment Center, United States Secret Service

Shannon

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm PDT
Gala 2

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

2:30pm PDT

Beyond Spreadsheets: Building MTSS Dashboards That Drive Action

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Fountain 1

Effective MTSS depends on clear and usable data, but many Washington districts struggle with fragmented information and inconsistent implementations. In this session, a Washington district shares how they use integrated MTSS dashboards to bring academic, behavioral, and attendance data into one place. Participants will explore practical strategies that support actionable team conversations based on real-time data, align with state priorities like assessment/SLD criteria, and improving early warning systems all to make more informed decisions across schools.

Speakers

Chelsea Lane

Renaissance Learning

Nick Pinzke

Renaissance Learning

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Fountain 1

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

2:30pm PDT

Building effective MTSS for small schools and districts

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Gala 3

Small schools and districts face unique challenges when it comes to the design and implementation of effective multi-tiered systems of support. Learn from two leaders who made targeted changes to their school's interventions through the use of collective responsibility and inquiry to improve outcomes for their students.

Speakers

Ana Farias

Ocosta School District

Brittany Madding

Director of Teaching and Learning, Ocosta School District

Brittany has spent the last decade working in education, first as an elementary teacher, then an instructional coach, and currently as a director of Teaching and Learning. She holds an MA in instructional design and another in educational leadership.

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Gala 3

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

2:30pm PDT

Belonging by Design: Improving Inclusive Tier 1 Settings in Elementary Schools

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Fuji 2

What leadership moves help schools increase belonging and meaningful access to grade-level instruction for students with disabilities? In this session, elementary principals share brief case studies of how they strengthened Tier 1 systems to support inclusive practices within an MTSS framework. Participants will explore the leadership decisions, structures, and instructional shifts that led to improved outcomes and consider how these approaches might inform their own efforts to build more inclusive schools.

Speakers

Faye Britt

Edmonds School District

Cassie Stevens

Inclusionary Practices Coordinator, Northwest Educational Service District 189

Cassie Stevens has served as the Inclusionary Practices Coordinator at Northwest Educational Service District 189 since 2020. Cassie is part of a statewide team of Inclusionary Practices coordinators that support school and district leaders to implement and improve inclusionary practices... Read More →

Johnna Stewart

Principal, Edmonds School District

Johnna Stewart has served as the Principal at Brier Elementary for the past 11 years. Prior to that, she served as a school counselor for 10 years in the Edmonds School District and worked in various social service roles before working in education. The team at Brier Elementary has... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Fuji 2

Target Audience Principals, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational
Grade Band Elementary

2:30pm PDT

Tracing the Pathway to Violence: What Can Digital Leakage Reveal During a Threat Assessment?

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Gala 2

Nearly 90% of today's threats are communicated digitally; therefore, an accurate assessment of risk cannot be determined without assessing a threat maker’s digital behavioral baseline. This training will highlight worrisome behaviors frequently identified by SST Threat Analysts on platforms like TikTok, Discord, Snapchat, and Telegram. Participants will further learn how to navigate and assess darker corners of the digital world, such as 4chan, Sanctioned Suicide, and Watchpeopledie.tv.

Speakers

Steven MacDonald

Director of Training, Safer Schools Together

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Gala 2

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

2:30pm PDT

Bringing Psychology to School Psychology in Washington

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Fuji 3

The progression to MTSS provides needed opportunity for school psychologists in Washington to step beyond the IEP Matrix. As school-based mental health experts, we should be ready and willing to provide prevention (SEL), intervention (psycho-education), and services (counseling) in support of students and schools. Let's return to our roots and meet increasing needs!

Speakers

Leslie Baunach

Amy Cannava

Lead School Psychologist, Rainstorms to Rainbows

Amy Cannava is an east coast transplant trying to both remember and forget the Seattle Stare. As a veteran Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) of 25++ years who remembers RtI's attempt to eradicate the archaic discrepancy model and improve academic achievement through... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Fuji 3

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

2:30pm PDT

Investing in Prevention: Special Education Resources to Strengthen MTSS Implementation

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Orchard South

Speakers

Cassie Martin

Executive Director of Special Education, OSPI

Tania May

Assistant Superintendent of Special Education, OSPI

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Orchard South

Special Education

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

2:30pm PDT

It’s Not Won’t—It’s EF: Rethinking Student Support Through an Executive Function Lens

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Fountain 3

When students struggle in MTSS, we often assume a motivation problem—but executive function (EF) may be the missing link. This session helps educators shift from compliance-based thinking to skill-based support by identifying EF barriers. Participants will gain a clear framework and practical strategies to improve student engagement, reduce frustration, and increase independence across classroom and intervention settings.

Speakers

Shana Anders

Pediatric PT & Executive Function Consultant, NEST Collective

Shana Anders, PT, DPT is a school-based pediatric physical therapist with a passion for helping educators, families, and students make sense of challenges that are often misunderstood as motivation, behavior, or effort. Her work is shaped by both professional experience and life within... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Fountain 3

Special Education

Target Audience Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists
Experience Foundational, Developing, Proficient
Grade Band District-wide

3:40pm PDT

Creating Connections: Classified Educators Leading Tiered Behavior Professional Development

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT

Red Delicious

Consider opportunities to empower and leverage classified educators supporting their peers with professional learning focused on tiered behavior supports. Learn how shifting from administrator-led professional development for classified educators empowered one district to support their strategic plan goals by increasing the sense of belonging for all; staff and students. This session will discuss audience, scope, and content for the past two years’ professional learning and where the district plans to grow next.

Speakers

Jennifer Hansen

Bethel School District

Ryan Kolowinski

Student Resource Specialist, Bethel School District

Melissa Munson-Merritt

Executive Director of Special Services, Bethel School District

Kelly Todd

Student Resource Specialist, Bethel School District

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT
Red Delicious

Behavior & PBIS

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

3:40pm PDT

Sustaining Student Presence: Strategies for Keeping Learners in the Classroom

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT

Orchard North

Grounded in MTSS, inclusive practices, and trauma-informed approaches, this workshop emphasizes prevention over reaction. This session focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies that reduce student removal from instruction and increase meaningful time in the classroom. Participants will examine the root causes of exclusionary practices—ranging from unmet behavioral and academic needs to systems-level barriers—and explore how to proactively design environments that support engagement, regulation, and access for all learners. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to sustain student presence, reduce reliance on exclusionary discipline, and create classroom conditions where students remain engaged, supported, and learning.

Speakers

Dr. Sara Paul

Program Supervisor - Students Served in Nontraditional Settings, OSPI

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT
Orchard North

Behavior & PBIS

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

3:40pm PDT

Acceleration by Design: Progress Monitoring Across the MTSS Tiers

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT

Orchard South

Learn how purposeful progress monitoring can turn MTSS into a true learning accelerator. This session clarifies what progress monitoring looks like in Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 and how learning progressions help teams use the right data to guide instruction and support catch-up growth. Participants will explore practical tools and “quarter-turn” improvements that strengthen Tier 2, clarify educator roles, and build a coherent, sustainable MTSS system that supports both intervention and core instruction.

Speakers

Joan Fleming

Educator, Ephrata School District

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT
Orchard South

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

3:40pm PDT

Inclusive by Design: Reimagining Tier 1 Through Belonging, Access, and Calibration

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT

Gala 2

What if instruction was designed from the start to support every learner—especially those most often pushed to the margins? This session explores how to build belonging, access, and calibration to create inclusive instruction and learning environments. Centering students with disabilities—including Black students and students with cognitive differences—whose experiences often reflect layered inequities—we explore how beliefs shape design, how proactive planning expands access, and how ongoing calibration using student response strengthens outcomes for all learners. Participants will leave with a practical reflection tool to redesign Tier 1 practices.

Speakers

Britney Boyles

Senior Liberation Consultant, And Still We Rise

Consulting Coordinator and Senior Liberation Consultant at And Still We Rise, Britney Boyles is based in Washington State and was a public school educator for nearly a decade. As an administrator, Boyles centered the needs of those who are often unseen and amplified the voices of... Read More →

Roberta Holmes

And Still We Rise

Kristin Leslie

Director, Special Education Technology Center (SETC)

The Special Education Technology Center equips educators and parents with the knowledge and skills needed to create equitable, meaningful and inclusive learning experiences for students receiving special education supports or 504 accommodations through the use of technology across... Read More →

Brent Stark

Washington School for the Deaf

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT
Gala 2

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

3:40pm PDT

What's New & What's Next for IPTN

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT

Fuji 2

Speakers

Jaimee Kidder

Special Education Program Supervisor, OSPI

Amy Vaughn

OSPI

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT
Fuji 2

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

3:40pm PDT

How DOES a Learning Disability Show Up in Math?

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT

Gala 1

This session will explore the use of math learning progressions centered on foundation PreK–12 math standards to support the RTI process of identifying learning disabilities in math. Examples will be shared of formative assessments that surface student thinking to more deeply identify a student’s math learning challenge. Participants will receive practical tools and evidence-based math intervention strategies that support both intensive math interventions as well as classroom and small group instruction.

Speakers

Anne Gallagher

Wenatchee School District

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm 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

3:40pm PDT

From Talk to Traction: Leading MTSS Implementation That Actually Gets Done

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT

Gala 3

Does your team spend time talking about MTSS without seeing meaningful progress? This session focuses on moving MTSS from discussion to action using practical project management strategies. Participants will explore tools such as project charters, RACI matrices, communication plans, and structured team routines to clarify roles, set priorities, and sustain momentum. With an emphasis on equity, participants will leave with concrete strategies and ready-to-use tools to ensure MTSS efforts translate into consistent, systemwide implementation.

Speakers

Dr. Hannah Gbenro

Chief Operations Officer, Dynamic Education Consulting & Solutions

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm PDT
Gala 3

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

8:30am PDT

Welcome

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT

Grand Apple Ballroom

Speakers

OSPI

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
Grand Apple Ballroom 121 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801

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

9:00am PDT

Knowing What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do: The Making of an Expert Teacher

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am PDT

Grand Apple Ballroom

Teaching is a profession defined by uncertainty that no amount of training can prepare you for. Classrooms are complex environments where lessons rarely unfold exactly as planned, where students respond in unexpected ways, and where new challenges continually emerge—from shifting curricula to the rapid rise of technologies such as AI. In these moments, the most effective teachers aren’t simply those with a large repertoire of strategies. They are those who know what to do when they don’t immediately know what to do. This is the hallmark of expert teaching. The natural question, then, is: How do teachers develop this kind of expertise?

Part of the answer lies in recognising that teaching is both a science and a craft and both need to be continually developed and honed, long after initial teacher education has been completed. This path to expertise development requires ongoing intentional and effortful commitment to growth. Some teachers rely primarily on gaining more experience in the classroom, others on continuous professional development and training. A third pathway—deliberate practice—focuses on consciously and systematically improving specific aspects of instruction. This keynote explores how these different routes shape teacher development, and why deliberate practice may offer a particularly powerful way of strengthening teachers’ ability to make effective instructional decisions over time.

Speakers

Nidhi Sachdeva

Educator, Educational Technology Researcher, Evidence-informed Learning Designer, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Nidhi Sachdeva is a teacher educator, researcher, and learning design consultant specializing in the science of learning, teacher expertise, and evidence-informed instructional design. She teaches at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto and is... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am PDT
Grand Apple Ballroom 121 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801

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

Track Your Data!

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

Orchard South

Need to track student data? Not sure where to start? Come check out how to easily track data on your students using Google Sheets and other tools. This hands-on tutorial presentation will show you how to track the data you have on your students and make it easy to share with your intervention team, administration, and other specialists. Please bring a laptop with you to this session.

Speakers

Susan Schuh

K-8 MTSS Coordinator, Bridgeport School District

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

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing
Grade Band Elementary, Secondary, 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 Framework to Feel: Activating Restorative Practices with MTSS

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

Gala 2

Join a principal–school counselor team as we share how we’ve embedded restorative practices into our MTSS framework to strengthen Tier 1 supports and enhance Tier 2 responses. Learn how we’ve translated relationship-building, accountability, and belonging into practical strategies—from classroom circles to restorative approaches for addressing challenges. Walk away with real examples and actionable tools to build a connected school culture where every student and staff is supported.

Speakers

Phil Averill

Principal, Quincy School District

Molly Carlson

Granite Falls School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am PDT
Gala 2

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists
Experience Foundational, Developing
Grade Band Elementary

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

Pathways to Preventing Targeted Violence in Schools: A Collaborative Approach

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

Red Delicious

This practical session equips K–12 educators with clear, actionable steps for preventing targeted violence. Using a real-world case study to demonstrate how trusted adults, educators, and community partners can intervene early and guide students toward safe, prosocial pathways.
Key Takeaways:
- Identifying warning signs and risk factors for targeted violence
- Collaborative strategies for professionals
- How as a professional you can support students on a prosocial pathway.

Speakers

Jason McPherson

ESD 101

Malorie Woods

Olympic Educational Service District 114

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

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

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

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

Every Student is a Tier One Student: Our MTSS Journey Using the Ci3t Framework

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

Fuji 1

Sedro-Woolley School District is in year seven implementing Ci3T as our district-wide MTSS framework. Leadership teams plan and develop professional learning based on input from stakeholders, and systematic data collection, for staff to meet academic, behavioral, and social needs of all learners in our district. Building Implementation Plans are developed and refined to provide clear expectations for stakeholders.
Districts in early stages of MTSS will see one journey for building and implementing MTSS through Ci3T.

Speakers

Lacy Lahr

School Psychologist, MTSS District Co-Lead, Sedro-Woolley School District

Heather Swenson

Librarian, MTSS District Co-Lead, Sedro-Woolley School District

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

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists
Experience Foundational, Developing
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

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 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

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

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

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

You Can’t Run MTSS on Burnout: Fueling Sustainable Systems and Staff

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

Orchard South

MTSS effectiveness depends on the people implementing it. When expectations outpace capacity, even strong systems become inconsistent and difficult to sustain. This interactive session moves beyond awareness into action. Participants will work through a practical tool to identify where misalignment is occurring in their roles and leave with a clear plan to realign expectations, improve clarity, and create more sustainable routines—supporting both staff well-being and long-term MTSS implementation.

Speakers

Mariah Angele

Auburn School District

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

Target Audience Principals, Teachers, MTSS Coach/Specialists, School Psychologists, District Administration
Experience Foundational, Developing
Grade Band 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

Project ECHO for Inclusive Education and Collaboration

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

Gala 2

This presentation will cover WA INCLUDE's use of the ECHO model to bring together educators, clinicians, and community partners to improve outcomes for students with IDD and autism. This session will highlight how cross-sector collaboration among school districts and medical professionals in tele-mentoring fosters shared problem-solving, strengthens behavioral and mental health supports, and builds capacity within school systems. Participants will learn how partnerships between WA INCLUDE and school districts in WA State have led to the creation of innovative, coordinated approaches to supporting students with complex needs as well as how the ECHO model can be expanded in their own districts.

Speakers

Franklin H Day

Director Student Support Services, Cheney School District

Shaunte Johnson

University of Washington

Jim Mancini

University of Washington

Patrick Mulick

Director of Student Engagement, Auburn School District

Patrick is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team. Originally from the humble town of Boring, Oregon, Patrick earned his undergrad and masters in special education and behavior analysis from Gonzaga University. While... Read More →

Andrea Staton

Mead School District

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