Foundations in Education is a podcast for teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders who want clarity in the systems that support teaching and learning. Through practical conversations around MTSS, PBIS, RTI, data, and instructional decision-making, this podcast breaks down complex ideas into clear, actionable insights. Each episode is grounded in real school experiences and focused on building systems that support educators and students.
Foundations in Education | Episode 6: Tier 3 Is Not a Waiting Room for Special Education
Tier 3 is often seen as the final step before special education, but its purpose goes far beyond that. Effective Tier 3 support is individualized, intensive, and driven by data, not simply more time spent doing the same intervention.
In Episode 6 of Foundations in Education, Marisa breaks down what Tier 3 intervention should actually look like, how it differs from Tier 2, and why intensifying support requires more than reducing group sizes or increasing instructional minutes. She explores the importance of diagnostic assessments, progress monitoring, intervention fidelity, and using student response data to make meaningful instructional adjustments.
Whether you're refining your existing MTSS framework or building more effective intervention systems, this episode will help you rethink Tier 3 as a responsive approach to meeting student needs rather than a pathway to special education.
9 Oct 2026
Foundations in Education | Episode 5: Tier 2 - What It Actually Looks Like When Tier 1 Is Working
Tier 2 is one of the most misunderstood parts of MTSS. It isn’t a place, a program, or simply “extra help.” It’s targeted support designed to address a specific student need when strong Tier 1 instruction alone isn’t enough.
In Episode 5 of Foundations in Education, Marisa breaks down what effective Tier 2 intervention looks like, including how to identify students, what makes an intervention truly targeted, and why progress monitoring matters. She also explores what happens when too many students end up in Tier 2 and why that may be a signal to look more closely at Tier 1.
Whether you’re building an MTSS system from the ground up or strengthening the one you already have, this episode will help you move beyond simply “having interventions” to creating a Tier 2 system that is intentional, responsive, and sustainable.
24 Feb 2026
Foundations in Education | Episode 4: Tier 1 - The Foundation Everything Else Rests On
In this episode, I break down the foundation of MTSS: Tier 1. We talk about what strong Tier 1 actually looks like in real classrooms, why so many schools struggle to get it right, and the most common mistakes I see when systems focus too heavily on interventions instead of the core. If more than 20% of students need Tier 2 or Tier 3 support, that’s a signal to look at Tier 1 first. I’ll walk through what strong instruction, clear systems, and protected core time look like in practice, and how schools can start strengthening Tier 1 right now.
21 Feb 2026
Foundation in Education | Episode 3: MTSS, RTI, and PBIS: How They Actually Work Together
In this episode, I break down how MTSS, RTI, and PBIS are actually supposed to work together on a real campus.
I clarify what RTI is responsible for (academics), what PBIS is responsible for (behavior and culture), and why schools struggle when those systems operate in silos. I also walk through what alignment looks like across all three tiers — and what happens when it doesn’t.
If you’ve ever felt confused about where these systems fit, this episode will bring clarity. You don’t need more initiatives. You need systems that make sense.
16 Jan 2026
Foundations in Education | Episode 2 | What the Heck is MTSS?
In this episode of Foundations in Education, I’m breaking down what MTSS actually is and why it feels so confusing in so many schools. We’re stripping away the jargon and getting clear on the truth that MTSS is not a program, a binder, or a referral process. It is a framework designed to support the whole child through prevention-focused systems. I’ll explain why Tier 1 is the foundation of everything, how RTI and PBIS fit under the MTSS umbrella, and the most common mistakes schools make when MTSS becomes reactive or unclear. I’ll also share what strong MTSS looks like in practice and leave you with reflection questions to think about how MTSS is really functioning on your campus.
7 Jan 2026
Foundations in Education | Episode 1
Feeling overwhelmed by MTSS, data meetings, or school initiatives that never seem to stick? You’re not alone. In this first episode of Foundations in Education, Marisa introduces the purpose behind the podcast, shares her journey through teaching, leadership, and instructional coaching, and explains why strong systems should support educators, not exhaust them. If you’re looking for clarity, alignment, and practical ways to make school systems actually work, this podcast is for you.
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