Step 2: Building Capacity in Action

School-wide capacity and infrastructure are required in order to implement and sustain MTSS. This capacity and infrastructure usually include ongoing professional development and coaching with an emphasis on data-based problem-solving and multi-tiered instruction and intervention, scheduling that allows staff to plan and implement instruction and intervention, and processes and procedures for engaging in data-based problem-solving.

(North Carolina’s MTSS Critical Components, July 2019)

Who Are the Key influencers for Capacity Building Work?

An important first step is to identify the key influencers in your staff. It may be helpful to select staff members who express multiple opinions, but work to reach a solution that best supports the school and school vision. It can be tricky to find those right key influencers, so here are a few things to consider. Select educators/staff members who are:

• Eager to learn and willing to share.

• Already seeking ways to support specific students/challenges.

• Respected across the community and could generate a network of stakeholders.

• The most outspoken critic -- this may seem counterintuitive, but you need to hear them along the way. While challenging and perhaps conflict producing, it is better to be open minded up front and get a better outcome.