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OSSD MTSS Behavior Specialist Tips
Integrating Behavior Interventions Into Your Classroom
How to Utilize Tier Behavior Supports
- The District Behavior Specialists are on campus to support and provide guidance to you, as teachers, and to your classrooms of Tier I, II, and III students.
- You may request Behavior Specialist assistance with any student in the school, even IDEA students or students who have not received supports in the past.
- If you believe a student demonstrates consistent behaviors that impact their academic performance, please refer to page 1 of the MTSS Behavior Protocol.
Meet the Team!
Behavior Intervention Specialists in OSSD
Jessie Hawkins, M.Ed. - Magnolia Park Elementary
Ms. Hawkins teaches campus-wide social skills lessons to the students at Magnolia Park Elementary. Being safe, kind, helpful, and responsible are always underlying themes in the lessons administered at MPE. Ms. Hawkins works closely with teachers to support them in providing Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) to the tier I school population. Ms. Hawkins also provides tier II and III interventions, such as check-ins, and breaks, to students. Ms. Hawkins works with teachers to find what strategies work best for their classrooms and provides professional development sessions on Postive Behavioral Intervention Supports at staff meeting PLCs.
Candace Wyatt, Certified Mental Health Therapist- Oak Park/Pecan Park Elementary
Mrs. Wyatt is completing classroom observations and providing the teachers with behavior interventions / strategies they can incorporate in their classroom to help their students become more successful. Mrs. Wyatt also provides Tier 2 and 3 lunch bunch groups to assist students with social skills to implement in the classroom. Mrs. Wyatt completes check in's with Tier 2 and Tier 3 students as well. Mrs. Wyatt collaborates with BAT team, teachers and students to develop a TSP (Targeted Support Plan) that will be implemented in the classroom. Mrs. Wyatt completes daily check in's with students while providing additional behavior strategies and support to classroom teachers.
Tory Murray, Licensed Master Social Worker- Ocean Springs Middle School
Mrs. Murray works closely with the school counselors to implement the behavior program at Ocean Springs Middle School and will soon re-introduce class reward incentives for teachers to utilize in their classes to reach specific goals. This year, one lucky 7th grade math class has already been treated to chicken minis for having the highest unit test average for the entire grade. Mrs. Murray rotates through the daily schedules of students referred to Tier 2 and/or Tier 3 for behavior, in order to create effective Targeted Support Plans.
Tier 2 Supports - Strategies or Interventions
The goal of Tier 2 interventions is to keep students in the classroom to maximize academic success, as well as collect daily data from teachers to determine if those interventions are indicating progress. A common behavior middle school teachers report among students is not arriving to class with a charged Chromebook. By seating the most frequent forgetters beside power sources in the classroom, teachers can minimize disrupted class time. An even more effective step is to incentivize those same kids with extra house points if they meet a certain target, like 5 consecutive days of having a charged Chromebook. This may seem specific to middle school and high school, but it can be applied to any circumstance, like Tuesday folders and classroom jobs.
Tier 3 Supports
During the Tier 3 process, Behavior Interventionists work more intensely with students to determine and redirect the ABCs of their targeted behaviors. ABCs stand for: Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence. At this juncture, your school's Behavior and Academic Triage (BAT) Team has a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of all the factors impacting a student's academic performance and classroom behavior.
Who is on your Behavior and Academic Triage (BAT) Team?
Magnolia Park Elementary
- Alison Block, Principal
- Ann-Marie Knowles, Assistant Principal
- Michelle Conley, MTSS Coordinator
- Jessie Hawkins, Behavior Specialist
- Brittany Jackson, Counselor
Oak Park Elementary
- Dr. Jennifer Pope-Principal
- Dr. Stewart Smirthwaite- Assistant Principal
- Dr. Courtney Peltier- MTSS Coordinator
- Candace Wyatt- Behavior Specialist
- Kelci Miller- School Counselor
Pecan Park Elementary
- Dr. Jacob Dykes- Principal
- Whitney Olier- Assistant Principal
- Jillian Green- MTSS Coordinator
- Candace Wyatt- Behavior Specialist
- Suzanne Stokes- School Counselor
Ocean Springs Middle School
- Melissa Arnold- Principal
- Nikeland Cooper- Assistant Principal
- Dr. David LaPointe- Assistant Principal
- Whitney Stevens- MTSS Coordinator
- Patty Trochesset- School Counselor
- Lindsey Morris- School Counselor
- Tory Murray- Behavior Specialist
📣 OSSD Behavioral Shout-Outs
Excellence in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Di'Mon Brown, PE Coach at Magnolia Park Elementary
Coach Brown at Magnolia Park has implemented tier I behavior interventions by providing flexibility within her classroom that allows her to reach and work with all students. She is always willing to collaborate with behavioral staff, diligently providing whatever supports are necessary to help students be successful. Coach Brown focuses on the positive and finds excellent ways of developing relationships of trust with her students.
Mrs. Melanie Howell, EL Coordinator/Academic Interventionist
Ms. Grafton 3rd grade Math, Ms. Briggs 3rd grade ELA
Ms. Grafton and Ms. Briggs at Pecan Park both have implemented Tier 1 interventions by setting clear rules and expectations for their students. This dynamic duo is always willing to work with the school behavior team to assist students with their specific needs. The teachers always maintain a strong and effective line of communication with parents and students. Ms. Grafton and Ms. Briggs always go the extra mile to understand what will motivate their students to help them be successful in the classroom.
Mrs. Warrick, Academic Interventionist, OSMS
Mrs. Warrick provides supplemental academic instruction to students in and out of her classroom, while utilizing diagnostic assessments to determine what specific concepts students need to focus on for academic success. When she is not working with small groups, she visits other classes to support students and fellow teachers during daily work. Mrs. Warrick anticipates and adapts to the individual needs of her students by maintaining consistent communication with parents, teachers, and other support staff. She takes time to check in and gain a genuine understanding of what will motivate her students to give their best effort. She is quick to praise, brag, and focus on the strengths everyone brings to their work. Mrs. Warrick created a token economy reward system, gives the students Fun Fridays if they complete all of their assignments, and also recognizes when the kids just need to decompress. She has excellent classroom management and reinforces effective Tier 1 strategies for behavior.