By Zion 6

Zion, IL. – Beulah’s MTSS (Multi-Tiered Support System) team has been working diligently to individualize learning for their students to help ensure educational and personal success. For the team, there are two important points that they emphasize to guarantee their students’ success: small groups and confidence.
Creating small group sessions was attainable for Beulah because the MTSS team is comprised of four highly qualified and exceptional staff members. Building up a child’s confidence is where the challenge lies.
Although the majority of students that receive personalized help are struggling from an academic standpoint, the root of the problem can be whether or not they are confident in their abilities. Through their personalized instruction, which is created to match the curriculum in the classroom, MTSS staff connect with each student, discuss how they learn and retain information, work through problem areas, and praise them for their successes.
Team members agree that their favorite part of working with students is “seeing the lightbulb turn on.” The relationships the MTSS team has formed with their students pushes them to be more comfortable in voicing their educational needs in their small group sessions and in the classroom.
Principal Curtiss Tolefree has been overjoyed with the work the MTSS team has done throughout the year and stated, “their small group work impacts the entire building. Children who work in that small group environment are able to gain educational and social skills, and that shows in their classroom.” The MTSS team has become Beulah’s resident “confidence builders” for the students who really need it.