MTSS Integrated Conference 25: Full Schedule

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8:30am PDT

Beyond Inclusion: Building Communities of Belonging Together

Thursday July 31, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Students learn best and flourish most when assured of their belonging. Yet, too many schools, workplaces, and communities still struggle to become places of widespread and meaningful inclusion for students with disabilities. In his presentation, Dr. Carter will share a powerful framework for reflecting upon and fostering belonging within our classrooms and schools. Together, we will explore the implications of this work on the ways we welcome, support, educate, and embrace students with disabilities.

Speakers

Erik Carter

Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, Baylor University

Dr. Erik Carter is the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities at Baylor University and Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. His research addresses strategies for supporting inclusion and belonging in school, work, community, and congregational... Read More →

Thursday July 31, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Grand Apple Ballroom 121 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801

Include Inspire Innovate

Target Audience District, Elementary, Secondary
Experience Developing, Foundational, Proficient

10:15am PDT

Building Strong Foundations: Using Tier 1 Systems to Embed Tier 2 & 3 Supports in Elementary Schools

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Gala 1

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Speakers

Jen Carnahan

Instructional Coach, Whitman Elementary, Spokane Public Schools

Jody Schmidt

Principal, Whitman Elementary, Spokane Public Schools

Savannah Warrington

Intervention Coordinator, Whitman Elementary, Spokane Public Schools

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Gala 1

Include

Target Audience Elementary, District
Experience Developing, Foundational, Proficient

10:15am PDT

Inclusionary and Integrated School Mental Health and MTSS: A Comprehensive Systems Approach to Supporting All Learners.

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Orchard South

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Mental health concerns and exclusionary practices underscore the urgent need to create inclusive environments. By focusing on positive behavior support, mental health and wellness, and inclusive education, schools can enhance academic success and also foster social development and a sense of belonging. WA MTSS framework allows schools, districts, and ESDs to build their capacity to develop and deliver inclusionary practices and eliminate exclusionary practices, while addressing mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention for all learners.

Speakers

Kelcey Schmitz

Director, Training and Technical Assistance UW SMART Center

Carol Davis

Professor of Education and Associate Dean for Research, UW College of Education

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Orchard South

Include

Target Audience District, Elementary, Secondary
Experience Developing

10:15am PDT

Why No Kids with ADHD Should Struggle in Schools (and What Your MTSS System Can Do About It)

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Fuji 2/3

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With over 10% of students diagnosed with ADHD, why are so few supported before crisis points? Most MTSS frameworks miss early opportunities—relying on generic strategies until ADHD manifests as behavior, academic failure, or school refusal. In this session, you’ll learn why that happens and how to fix it. Walk away with clear, doable Tier I and II strategies that make your MTSS system more proactive, inclusive, and effective for students with ADHD.

Speakers

Cheryl Agarwal

Founder & Executive Coach, Pulsehive

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Fuji 2/3

Include

Target Audience District, Elementary, Secondary
Experience Foundational, Developing

10:15am PDT

Working Smarter: Aligning MTSS for Equitable Discipline & Academic Gains

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Orchard North

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Learn how three regional examples aligned their MTSS and reduced exclusionary discipline, improved attendance, perceptions of belonging, and reading.

Speakers

Jessica Swain-Bradway

Executive Director, Northwest PBIS Network

Dr. Jessica Swain-Bradway is the Executive Director for the Northwest Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Network (NWPBIS). She has expertise in organizing social-emotional-behaviors supports and mental health integration at the district, school, and classroom level. In... Read More →

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Orchard North

Include

Target Audience District
Experience Developing, Proficient

10:15am PDT

Transforming Behavioral Health Integration: A School Based Regional Model with ISF

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Gala 2

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This presentation highlights a model where school-based clinicians collaborate within schools througha regionalbehavioral health agency, using ISF and MTSS to integrate educational and mental health support. Participants will gain insights on team-based support, data-driven interventions, and sustaining successful, integrated behavioral health partnerships.

Speakers

Kelcey Schmitz

Director, Training and Technical Assistance UW SMART Center

Erica Mears

MTSS Coordinator, Educational Service District 105

Hello and thank you for your time! As an educator, I understand how precious our time can be both in and out of the classroom. I have been with the ESD for almost 4 years. I began my time with the agency serving in the Migrant Department and have recently switched roles and now... Read More →

Brandon Riddle

Assistant Director of Student Support, Educational Service District 105

Brandon is committed to advancing educational equity by coaching and training evidence-based strategies and frameworks. With a solid background in Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS... Read More →

Brian Ahern

MTSS Coordinator, Educational Service District 105

Rayann Silva

School Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, UW Smart Center

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Gala 2

Innovate Include

Target Audience District
Experience Developing, Proficient

11:30am PDT

Learn how South Kitsap School District is building on intentional Tier 1 work to address academics, attendance, and behavior using an integrated tiered intervention process.

Thursday July 31, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Orchard North

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Discover how South Kitsap School District is strengthening Tier 1 practices and leaning into Tier 2 standard protocols in reading, math, and behavior through an integrated, districtwide intervention system. Learn how early adopters are leading implementation, supported by intentional collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and aligned supports to drive improved outcomes for all students.

Speakers

Erynn Fletcher

Instructional Specialist, South Kitsap School Distrit

Lisa Fundane't

Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, South Kitsap School District

Thursday July 31, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Orchard North

Include

Target Audience Elementary, District
Experience Developing

11:30am PDT

MTSS in a Native School: Because Trauma Doesn’t Care What Tier You’re In

Thursday July 31, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Gala 2

Feedback Survey

In a Native school where historical and generational trauma impacts every student, we recognize that trauma doesn’t wait for Tier 3. We will discuss how our school has utilized MTSS to meet the needs of all students by sharing our journey of building a culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach that ensures every learner receives the support they need. Through examples, challenges, and successes, participants will gain insight into an MTSS model that truly serves high-need populations.

Speakers

Jenifer Leavens

Director of Special Education, Chief Leschi Schools

Nicholas Espinoza

Special Services Administrator

Lindsey Dornbusch

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Thursday July 31, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Gala 2

Include

Target Audience District
Experience Developing

1:30pm PDT

It Starts With Us

Thursday July 31, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Apple Ballroom

Feedback Survey

"While the pandemic may seem behind us, its effects continue to impact our
educational communities. Student behaviors are intense, staff needs are complex, and the gap
between surviving and thriving can feel insurmountable. Still, I am unwavering in my belief that
when we bring relationships and community to their hearts, we will strengthen our systems and
bring academic achievement and social/emotional competence to their minds. Working
together to heal the harms from the last several years will open the door for us to bring trust,
clarity, consistency, and, ultimately, improved outcomes to our schools."

Speakers

Ali Hearn

LCSW, Ali Hearn Coaching and Consulting

Ali Hearn, LCSW is a National keynote speaker, trainer, and coach whose mission is to shift mindsets and ignite fires within others to create sustainable change and impact. Throughout her career, she has worked with thousands of educators across the country, emphasizing the importance... Read More →

Thursday July 31, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Apple Ballroom 121 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801

Include Inspire Innovate

Target Audience Elementary, Secondary, District
Experience Developing, Foundational, Proficient

3:15pm PDT

Every Kid Deserves a Plot Twist! Engaging Students in Foster Care through MTSS

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

Golden Delicious

Feedback Survey

Students in foster care often face unique and significant challenges such as trauma, instability, and disrupted educational experiences, that can affect their academic, social, and emotional well-being. Comprehensive frameworks such as MTSS are the most effective way to address the diverse needs of these students. This session will explore how MTSS can be implemented specifically for students in foster care to ensure equitable access to education and provide educational stability.

Speakers

Stacey Klim

Foster Care Program Supervisor, OSPI

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
Golden Delicious

Include

Target Audience District, Elementary, Secondary
Experience Developing, Foundational, Proficient

3:15pm PDT

Fostering Educational Equity Through Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Screening

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

Gala 3

Feedback Survey

Exemplar districts will share how they've leveraged key partnerships to develop buy-in for universal screening. Participants will learn about how universal screening data can be used to promote education equity for all students. This session will demonstrate approaches that foster adults' cultural competence and an interconnected approach to enhancing comprehensive school mental health.

Speakers

Kelcey Schmitz

Director, Training and Technical Assistance UW SMART Center

Brandon Riddle

Assistant Director of Student Support, Educational Service District 105

Rayann Silva

School Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, UW Smart Center

Mari Meador

School Mental Healther Coordinator, UW Smart Center

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
Gala 3

Include

Target Audience Elementary, Secondary, District
Experience Developing, Proficient

3:15pm PDT

One Inclusive Classroom, Many Pathways: Standards-Based Instruction for All Learners, Including Those Who Take the WA-AIM

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

Orchard North

Feedback Survey

Inclusionary classroom practice requires barrier-free instruction that is accessible and meaningful to all learners, including students who may take the general or alternate assessment (WA-AIM). This presentation demonstrates how general and special educators can plan curricular units based on grade-level standards in inclusive classrooms with diverse learners. Participants will walk away with ready-to-use techniques for rigorous and barrier-free instruction that meaningfully engages every student, including those who take the alternate assessment.

Speakers

Jennifer Sommerness

Research Associate, TIES Center

Jennifer Sommerness is a distinguished educator and researcher at the TIES Center, at the University of Minnesota. She is known for her dedication to inclusive education and student success, with a profound commitment to educational equity. Jennifer has played a role in shaping the... Read More →

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
Orchard North

Include

Target Audience Elementary, Secondary
Experience Developing

3:15pm PDT

Student Voice in Action: Shaping a Positive School Climate

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

Gala 1

Feedback Survey

As student behavior concerns and educator burnout rise, it’s time to reimagine support through student voice and agency within MTSS. This session highlights two transformative, student-centered approaches—Restorative Justice Centers (RJC) and student Equity Communities of Practice (ECOPs). Discover how these structures empower students to shape a more inclusive and supportive school climate. Join us for an engaging, solutions-driven conversation that repositions students as key partners in driving meaningful school change.

Speakers

Jon Eyler

Educational Consultant, Collaborative Learning Solutions

Dr. Jon Eyler is the founder and CEO of Collaborative Learning Solutions, an educational services and consulting firm specializing in culture and climate solutions. Jon’s work focuses on behavior, social/emotional wellness, restorative practices, data, equity, and integrated system... Read More →

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
Gala 1

Include

Target Audience Secondary, District
Experience Developing, Proficient

3:15pm PDT

Plan. Pivot. Progress: Launching MTSS with Staying Power

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

Fuji 1

Feedback Survey

For many district and school leaders, the push to implement MTSS comes fast—often without the clarity, cohesion, or shared vision needed for long-term success. This session is designed for those who have felt the pressure to act quickly, only to find themselves in an endless loop of false starts, fragmented efforts, and staff fatigue.
Join us as we explore what it means to pause with purpose—to step back from unclear or reactive approaches and re-engage with MTSS implementation through a lens of coherence, leadership alignment, and sustainable momentum. Learn how one district shifted from urgency-driven decisions to a more strategic, collaborative rollout that created buy-in at every level—from the central office to the classroom.

Speakers

Gretchen Schlag

Executive Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning, Tahoma School District

Lindsay Henry

Executive Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, Tahoma School District

Lindsay Henry is the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for the Tahoma School District in Washington State. She leads district-wide efforts in curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and program development. With a background in instructional coaching... Read More →