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Tier 1 Interventions

Tier 1 Interventions

By: Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer
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 Math intervention, writing intervention, neurobiology, and cognitive-based learning - Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer are sharing how to incorporate them into your classroom. Jonily is a secondary math teacher and instructional coach for math K-12. Cheri is an occupational therapist specializing in neurology-based treatment across the lifespan and a Strategy-based Interventionist. Jonily secretly calls Cheri her Lesson Plan Whisperer because Cheri is always in her head, reminding her of the foundations of development before academics begin. They met in 2018 and have been talking ever since. Together, they have discovered the Miracle Math Classroom. This classroom embeds all math standards from Kindergarten to twelfth grade, plus neuro-based interventions that improve proficiency and boost student engagement. Both gifted and learning support students thrive using the interventions they share, plus all students in between. Using cognitive enhancing techniques strategically placed in the lesson plan, students learn more and enjoy school more, and fewer students get removed from critical instruction for Tier Three Interventions. Jonily has discovered how to teach all Kindergarten through algebra math standards using twelve, that’s right, twelve Reference Tasks. They include the Pizza Problem, 120-Chart, Paper Folding, Making Rectangles, Quick Dots, Locker Problem, Jesse and Kay, Geoboard, Candy Problem, Paint Problem, Staircase, and the Function Machine. Cheri uses Body-Brain Anchors to ignite the flame inside everyone’s brain for learning. Whether a person is five or 90, her strategy-based interventions will ignite that flame. These Brain-Body Anchors include the Handstand Flip, Interlaced Bilateral Integration, and the Body Sentence Alphabet. Together, they connect the puzzle behind math instruction and instructional delivery alongside these cognitive-enhancing activities to maximize math education for all students. Join us live on the third Saturday of the month, sans July, for the math behind the Reference Task. Every live event is approximately 2.5 contact hours. The first 30-ish minutes become this podcast. To hear the entire training, join our membership program. Please note: we will not record on holiday weekends. Join our mailing list for updates on dates. To join us live, register at Tier1interventions.com. The 2.5-hour sessions include the PowerPoint slides, additional audio files of Jonily teaching the Reference Task, resources from Cheri, and much more. A subscription to these 2.5-hour Workshops is $97/month or $947/year. Membership includes: *Approximately 27.5 hours of direct training per year *Audio files of Jonily's Hear Me Teach segments - complete *PowerPoint Slides to grab and use in your Magic Math Classroom *Resources from Jonily and Cheri for you and your students *A copy of Math DYSconnected when released. Or, you can listen to the first segment on your favorite podcast app for free; no membership is required. No matter how you listen, you will come away with golden nuggets that will transform your classroom. Reach out to Jonily: jonily@mindsonmath.com Reach out to Cheri: info@cheridotterer.com Tier1Interventions.com2024 Minds on Math, LLC and Dotterer Educational Consulting Language Learning Mathematics Science
Episodes
  • Why As don't equal mastery

    Why As don't equal mastery
    Dec 11 2025


    Why do students earn A’s in math… yet still struggle to pass state tests?
     In today’s episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic uncover the hidden truth behind traditional grading: grades measure compliance—NOT mastery.


    You’ll learn why “good students” often carry the deepest learning gaps, how traditional grading systems mislead parents and teachers, and what REAL mastery looks like inside a math classroom.


    ✔ Why A’s don’t equal mastery
    ✔ Why compliant students still have conceptual gaps
    ✔ How nonlinear instruction strengthens the math brain
    ✔ Why multitasking is a myth (and what switch-tasking really is)
    ✔ How to redesign math learning around true understanding
    ✔ The 3 visual anchors that transform math thinking:     Lockers, Rectangles & Pizzas


    If you’re a teacher, homeschool parent, interventionist, or administrator who wants students to actually understand math—not just earn grades—this episode is essential.


    Drop your favorite math jingles in the comments.


    👉     Want to experience the full workshop?
     You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.


    https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register

    ⏱️ Chapters

    00:00 – Welcome + Why This Episode Matters

    00:37 – Nonlinear Teaching & The 12 Song Story

    01:33 – Why Traditional Learning Fails Many Students

    02:27 – Multitasking vs. Switch-Tasking

    03:58 – Nonlinear Thinking in Math Instruction

    05:53 – When “Good” Students Struggle Most

    06:45 – The Parent Question That Exposed the Problem

    08:12 – Straight A’s but Failing State Tests

    09:40 – Why Grades Don’t Measure Mastery

    11:00 – Teachers Sound Off on Grading Scales

    12:30 – Compliance vs. Understanding

    13:18 – Why We Need Mastery-Based Grading

    14:05 – Humor, Memory & Celine Dion

    15:10 – Type A vs. Type Z Teachers

    16:40 – What Needs to Change in Math Education

    17:00 – Closing + Next Week’s Teaser


    🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

    👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
    https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar


    🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

    Spotify
    Apple Podcasts
    Amazon/Audible


    🔗 Stay Connected

    🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
    📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1


    🎙️ Credits:
    Host: Cheri Dotterer
    Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
    Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network


    🧠 Resources Mentioned:

    Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
    Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching


    ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.


    🏷️ Hashtags


    #MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • Why students Zone Out constantly

    Why students Zone Out constantly
    Dec 3 2025

    Students aren’t zoning out because they’re bored — they’re zoning out because their brains literally can’t do what we’re asking them to do.

    In this episode, Cheri Dotterer, MS, OTR, and math leader Jonily break down the neuroscience behind attention, dopamine, novelty, and why every classroom hits the same predictable “zoning-out moment.”

    You’ll learn:

    • Why students can only focus for their age in minutes
    • The 7-second dopamine cycle that sabotages attention
    • Why novelty (singing, movement, humor) instantly resets the brain
    • Why music activates learning before visual or auditory channels
    • Why rectangles are the single most powerful structure in math
    • How interleaving and iteration outperform linear teaching
    • How skip-counting by 12s rewires numerical fluency
    • Why U.S. math scores suffer — and how to fix it tomorrow

    If you’ve ever asked, “Why do my students suddenly check out?” — this episode is the answer.
    Drop your favorite math jingles in the comments.

    👉 Want to experience the full workshop?
     You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.

    https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register

    ⏱️ Chapters

    00:00 — Welcome to Tier One Interventions

    00:22 — Why focus equals age in minutes

    01:05 — The 7-second dopamine attention loop

    01:40 — Students WANT to focus but their brains can’t

    02:10 — Novelty triggers that instantly reset attention

    03:25 — Why music activates learning before anything else

    03:54 — Math jingles that rewire memory

    04:28 — Why skip-counting by 12s accelerates mastery

    05:08 — Rectangles: the most powerful structure in math

    05:45 — Whisper counting + dot arrays for deep understanding

    06:30 — The “loud number” mistake and why it’s productive

    07:30 — Iteration vs. repetition: the real difference

    08:18 — Interleaving: the brain’s preferred learning method

    09:05 — Jumping from 2 twelves to 12 twelves (nonlinear learning)

    10:05 — Why U.S. math scores are failing

    11:30 — The winning formula: structure + novelty + repetition

    12:05 — Wrap-up and $47 workshop invitation


    🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

    👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
    https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar


    🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

    Spotify
    Apple Podcasts
    Amazon/Audible

    🔗 Stay Connected

    🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
    📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1


    🎙️ Credits:
    Host: Cheri Dotterer
    Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
    Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network


    🧠 Resources Mentioned:

    Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
    Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

    ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.


    🏷️ Hashtags


    #MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • WHY Your Math Curriculum Isn’t Working

    WHY Your Math Curriculum Isn’t Working
    Nov 25 2025
    If you’ve ever wondered why your students still don’t “get” math—even with all the new textbooks, intervention programs, small groups, apps, and training—this episode will change everything.In today’s conversation, Cheri and Jonily pull back the curtain on the brutal truth:👉 The problem isn’t your students. The problem isn’t you. The problem is the system.Math scores across the U.S. have crashed to historic lows. Tier 2 and Tier 3 groups are overflowing. Teachers are exhausted. Kids are frustrated. And the curriculum you were handed is not built to fix any of it.Inside this episode, you’ll learn:🔸 The REAL reason your math curriculum keeps failing 🔸 Why “teaching harder” never moves the needle 🔸 How mental load, attention spans, and dopamine shape learning 🔸 Why rhythm, novelty, and movement unlock mathematical thinking 🔸 How lockers, rectangles, and pizzas explain EVERYTHING about math success 🔸 The shocking data from real classrooms (54% → 84%, 27% → 60%, and more) 🔸 Why 3rd graders can learn so much more than we think 🔸 What schools must change NOW to reverse the declineThis isn’t another “curriculum review.” This is the root cause of the math crisis in America—and the brain-based pathway out of it.If you’ve ever sat in your classroom thinking, “Why aren’t they getting it? What am I missing?” …this episode will finally give you the answer.👉 Want to experience the full workshop? You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Tier One Interventions Podcast00:28 – Why today’s session starts at a higher math level01:00 – Why Tier 1—not Tier 3—is the real issue02:00 – The rising crisis of U.S. math scores03:10 – Why kids “don’t get math” (and it’s not aptitude)04:05 – Why Tier 2 and Tier 3 are overloaded05:00 – What Tier One Interventions actually solve06:20 – Evidence from real classrooms: 54% → 84%, 27% → 60%, and more07:45 – Second graders eliminating all “red/yellow” scores in 6 weeks09:15 – Why this workshop series matters10:05 – Connecting Mastery Math Method to today’s episode11:00 – Lockers, Rectangles, Pizzas… and why it works11:30 – Using music and rhythm to re-trigger attention12:20 – The neuroscience of rhythm-based learning13:00 – Crossing midline, movement, rhythm, and subconscious learning14:10 – How 14-year-olds signal when their brains need novelty15:00 – Lighting, environmental shifts, and novelty triggers16:00 – The attention-span research that guides your timing16:55 – Episode wrap-up + teaser for next week17:10 – CTA: Experience one workshop for $47🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible🔗 Stay Connected🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network🧠 Resources Mentioned:Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.🏷️ Hashtags#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
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