MTSS School Systems That Support Student Behavior with Crystal Ceresani, ep. 231

This episode is sponsored by IRIS Connect
Wish your school had a more effective approach for handling student behavior?
In this episode, Crystal Ceresani from the Behavior Alliance of South Carolina joins me to chat about MTSS school systems that support student behavior. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is a framework designed to address our students’ needs at multiple levels – whether in academics or behavior.
During the conversation, Crystal emphasizes the importance of proactive strategies for student behavior, starting with Tier 1. She highlights the need for clear expectations and involving students and staff in defining norms.
We explore what school-wide behavior systems look like in practice, common challenges, and what sets successful schools apart. Crystal also offers practical tips for instructional coaches ready to get started, from forming a team to using data effectively. Listen to the full episode for practical tips, real-life examples, and actionable steps to build a more supportive school environment.
What Do MTSS School Systems That Support Student Behavior Look Like in Practice?
Wondering what a school-wide behavior system actually looks like in action? In the episode, Crystal breaks down how a cohesive approach can transform student behavior and what it can look like in practice.
She explains that taking a school-wide approach means:
- Creating a shared set of behavioral norms.
- Developing a common language across the school.
- Explicitly teaching students what is expected in every setting (classroom, hallway, cafeteria, etc.) and appropriate consequences.
- Giving both students and staff a voice in shaping these expectations.
- Designing a school-wide behavior matrix using positive, student-friendly language.
- Teacher created classroom matrices that align with the school norms.
- Focusing on prevention, not just punishment – proactively teaching behavior at the beginning of the year and revisiting it often, rather than addressing it only through consequences.
By aligning staff and empowering students, schools can create a positive, predictable environment where everyone understands expectations and what success looks like.
Challenges Teachers Face When Implementing MTSS School Systems That Support Student Behavior
Let’s be real – changing behavior is hard! Crystal acknowledges that teachers face obstacles when implementing MTSS school systems that support student behavior:
- Lack of Training: Teacher prep programs don’t adequately teach effective classroom management. They tend to focus more on consequences rather than preventive strategies.
- Time Pressure: Teachers have a lot of content to cover every day, and that leaves little time to explicitly teach behavioral expectations.
So, what can instructional coaches do to help?
- Professional Learning: Provide ongoing training and coaching, not just one-off PD.
- Empower Students: Focus on shaping and teaching behavior, not just consequences.
- Data-Driven Conversations: Use data to identify problem areas and prioritize interventions.
- Recognize Triggers: Encourage staff to identify their personal triggers and how they can handle them better.
How Coaches Can Get Started Creating a School-Wide System for Behavior
There are several ways that coaches can help create a school-wide behavior system. Crystal shares a few practical tips to get started! To launch or improve a behavior system on your campus, she recommends:
- Getting a big picture vision and prioritizing Tier 1.
- Forming a small team to get the conversations started, review data, and outline a plan.
- Celebrate progress and small wins.
MTSS School Systems That Support Student Behavior
Behavior challenges show up in every school, but the solution must go beyond consequences. Implementing a school-wide behavior system is about creating a positive culture and proactively teaching expectations. By putting clear, consistent systems in place, schools can shift from reacting to behavior problems to setting every student up for success.
I really enjoyed my conversation with Crystal about MTSS school systems that support student behavior, and I know you will too. Tune in now to hear all the details!
Topics and Questions Discussed in Episode 231 – MTSS School Systems That Support Student Behavior with Crystal Ceresani
- MTSS school systems that support student behavior
- What is MTSS, and how does it apply to behavior
- How taking a school-wide approach helps change student behavior
- Why punitive discipline doesn’t work, and the practical tools teachers can use instead to shape student behavior
- Creative approaches to building a common schoolwide language and shared vision for behavior with staff and students
- Why we need to explicitly teach behavior expectations (just like academics) and practical strategies for calibrating them across classrooms
- What Tier 1 behavior support looks like in practice and how it can transform your school culture
- Why a schoolwide, proactive system matters more than consequences alone
- Steps for developing a schoolwide behavior matrix and classroom matrices
- Common issues teachers face when implementing MTSS school systems that support student behavior
- The challenges of classroom management and why most teachers aren’t prepared
- Tips for overcoming real-world obstacles to implementation, such as lack of time, competing initiatives, buy-in, and different definitions of respect
- Real examples of successes Crystal has seen with a school-wide approach, and what those schools do differently from less successful ones
- How instructional coaches can get started with creating a school-wide system for behavior
- Recommendations for forming a team to get the conversation started
- Using data to drive decisions and celebrate small wins
This episode is sponsored by IRIS Connect. IRIS Connect helps you streamline teacher development with the world’s most advanced PD facilitation system.
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Learn more
- Episode 38 – Developing Curriculum Collaboratively with Crystal Ceresani
- Episode 230 – Creating a Schoolwide System for Student Behavior
- Buzzing with Ms. B on Instagram
- Join My Facebook Group: Instructional Coaching with Ms. B
- Behavior Alliance of South Carolina
- Behavior Alliance of South Carolina on Instagram @BASCBehavior
- Behavior Alliance of South Carolina on Facebook @BASCbehavior
- Behavior Alliance of South Carolina on LinkedIn @BASCbehavior
- Behavior Alliance of South Carolina on YouTube @BASCbehavior
Helpful Resources
- Instructional Coach Binder Megapack – Editable Forms, Calendars, Planning Tools
- Instructional Coaching Binder Megapack – Editable Forms, Documents & Tools on TpT
- Buzzing with Ms. B TpT Store
- IRIS Connect
- Simply Impact Summit

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Podcast produced by Fernie Ceniceros






