Tier 1 or Bust: How Great Schools Stay Out of the Referral Spiral

🎯 The Ruckus Report Quick take: Most schools are drowning in Tier 2 and Tier 3 referrals. Mitch Weathers shows why fixing Tier 1 first is the only way out — and how to actually make it work. 🤝 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mitch Weathers is a veteran educator, author, and co-founder of Organized Binder. He's helped thousands of schools rethink their Tier 1 systems and center equity, consistency, and executive function in the classroom. Mitch has keynoted across the U.S. and even rocked turquoise jewelry markets in New Mexico (true story). 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules In this episode, Mitch challenges traditional education paradigms: 🧠 Key Insight #1: Tier 1 is the Foundation What's broken: Schools overload Tier 2 and Tier 3 while ignoring Tier 1.The shift: Design Tier 1 systems every teacher can implement with fidelity.Impact: Reduced referrals, increased student success, and less burnout. 🧠 Key Insight #2: PD That Actually Works What's broken: Professional learning feels irrelevant and impractical.The shift: Anchor PD in tools and mindsets that apply Monday morning.Impact: Teachers actually implement strategies — and want more. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Lead with Flow, Not Force What's broken: Leaders grip too tightly to plans and compliance.The shift: Lead with intentionality, flexibility, and flow.Impact: More trust, better culture, and stronger adult nervous systems. 💬 Quotable Ruckus "You can't Tier 2 your way out of a Tier 1 problem." — Mitch Weathers 📈 Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Audit one Tier 1 practice for clarity and consistency.This Month: Host a team conversation on the real purpose of PD.This Semester: Design Tier 1 initiatives that every teacher can do. 🔗 Connect & Continue 🌟 Get the full episode transcript here 🔗 Join us on the Adorable Red Hats show. 📧 Email [e-mail] with your pitch. 👩🏻‍💻 Learn more at adorableredhats.com. 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey: 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: https://ruckusmakers.news 🗖 Read Ruckus Maker Media — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf: https://ruckusmakers.media 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: https://ruckusmakers.club 🤨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind 🔍 Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: ODP Business Solutions® Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? ODP Business Solutions® transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments. 🔍 Learn more: odpbusiness.com/educationIXL Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. 🔍 Learn more: ixl.com/leadersPlay Piper Too many students love tech but don't see themselves as scientists or engineers. Play Piper's hands-on STEM kits and engaging curriculum changes that. 🔍 Learn more: playpiper.com © 2025 Twelve Practices LLC | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?