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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
  • The Secret to Math Success for the 2025-2026 School Year

    The Secret to Math Success for the 2025-2026 School Year
    Sep 16 2025

    Welcome to the kickoff of our August Saturday Math! 🎉 In this episode, Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer set the stage for the 2025–2026 school year with a focus on depth in lesson planning.


    You’ll learn:

    • Why shallow, “grab-and-go” teaching resources aren’t enough.
    • The grade levels Jonily will be partnering with this year (2, 3, 4, 8, Algebra I & II).
    • How our certified coaches are modeling success in Grade 1 and Grade 6.
    • Why teacher quality and intentional planning matter more than any textbook.


    🎯 Whether you’re a classroom teacher, intervention specialist, or administrator, this conversation will challenge how you think about planning and inspire you to bring depth into your math lessons.


    ⏱️ Chapters


    00:00 – Welcome + Introduction to Saturday Math
    01:00 – Kickoff for the 2025–2026 school year
    03:30 – Grade levels Jonily is partnering with this year
    05:00 – Spotlight on certified coaches in Grades 1 and 6
    06:30 – Introducing the year’s theme: Depth over shallow teaching
    08:00 – Why textbooks and grab-and-go lessons fall short
    09:30 – Behind-the-scenes: how lesson planning really happens
    11:00 – Preview of the four categories for building depth
    19:00 – Multiplication example: exposing symbols early
    20:00 – Outro + CTA to join the Masterclass


    🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

    👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
    https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/freemasterclass/register


    🎧 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


    #Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri
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    20 mins
  • Why students struggle with math

    Why students struggle with math
    Sep 9 2025

    What happens when a student knows the answer in their head but can’t get it right on paper? In this Tier 1 Interventions Masterclass clip, join Cheri Dotterer (OT, author of Handwriting Brain Body DisConnect) and Jonily Zupancic (Math Specialist, author of Making Mathineers) as they uncover the disconnect between conceptual understanding and procedural math skills—and how the Mastery Math Method bridges the gap.


    In this session, you’ll learn:
    ✅ Why number sense isn’t “extra help” but essential Tier 1 instruction
    ✅ How to connect conceptual math thinking with procedural fluency
    ✅ The real story of Brian, a 7th grader who knew the math but couldn’t match classroom expectations
    ✅ Why pre-planning and sensory–motor–cognitive alignment matter for math success
    ✅ How teachers can strengthen their core instruction to transform Tier 2 and Tier 3 outcomes


    These are neuroscience-based strategies with proven results. Entire classes moving from struggle to success and 92% of students showing measurable growth.


    👉 Register for the next Masterclass: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

    ✨ Subscribe for more episodes of Tier 1 Interventions Podcast and Mastery Math Method strategies!


    ⏱️ Chapters

    00:00 – Welcome to the Mastery Math Method (Level 2)
    01:00 – Why Tier 1 Core Instruction is the Key to All Learning
    01:45 – Meet Brian: A Student Who Knew the Math but Couldn’t Show It
    03:00 – The Disconnect Between Conceptual & Procedural Math
    04:00 – Why Number Sense Instruction Matters in Secondary Grades
    05:00 – Teacher Takeaways: Pre-Planning & Sensory-Motor-Cognitive Links
    06:30 – Closing & Call to Action: Bring the Mastery Math Method to Your School


    🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

    👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
    https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/freemasterclass/register

    🎁 Download your free Intervention Toolkit (login required):
    https://disabilitylabs.com/43857/files/6887de9b124d7_1753734811_division-cycles-h-and-l-notes-extended.pdf


    🎧 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


    #Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri
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    7 mins
  • Why Learning Doesn’t Stick (and How Brian Proved It Wrong)

    Why Learning Doesn’t Stick (and How Brian Proved It Wrong)
    Sep 2 2025
    Brian’s story isn’t just about one student—it’s about every student who has ever struggled to learn math. In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, discover how teaching the brain’s way transforms learning that sticks.Join Cheri Dotterer (OT, author of Handwriting Brain Body DisConnect) and Jonily Zupancic (Math Specialist, author of Making Mathineers) as they reveal why traditional learning doesn’t stick—and how the Mastery Math Method changes outcomes for every classroom.💡 You’ll learn: ✅ Why pre-planning is the missing link in lesson design ✅ The difference between planning and presenting (and why both often fall short) ✅ How occupational therapy strategies unlock math success ✅ The role of number sense, memory, and brain-based teaching ✅ Real stories—like Brian, a struggling student who finally thrived through this methodThis isn’t theory. These are neuroscience-based strategies with proven results: entire classes moving from struggle to success, with 92% of students showing measurable growth.👉 Register for the next Masterclass: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar✨ Subscribe for more episodes of Tier 1 Interventions Podcast and Mastery Math Method strategies!⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 01:00 – Why Tier 1 Core Matters Most 02:00 – Pre-Planning: The Forgotten Step in Education 06:00 – OT Insights: Breaking Learning into Steps 08:00 – Pre-Planning Essentials: Number Sense, Facts, Fractions, Functions, Factors 10:00 – Brian’s Story: From Struggling to Thriving 14:00 – Planning with Stimuli (Not Just Lesson Plans) 17:00 – Stimulus Examples: How to Spark Mathematical Thinking 20:00 – Teach the Brain’s Way: Why Learning Stays 21:00 – Presenting: The Power of Teacher Quality 24:00 – Instructional Coaching in Real Classrooms 28:00 – Changing the Environment for Student Engagement 30:00 – Curriculum as a Journey, Not a Delivery System 32:00 – Call to Action: Join the Mastery Math Method🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/freemasterclass/register🎁 Download your free Intervention Toolkit (login required): https://disabilitylabs.com/43857/files/6887de9b124d7_1753734811_division-cycles-h-and-l-notes-extended.pdf🎧 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#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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