S03E17 - From Intervention to Inclusion: Sarah Asome on Making Every Tier Count

About this episode

Brendan Lee interviews Sarah Asome about implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in education to ensure all students thrive.

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Sarah Asome, principal of Bentleigh West Primary School and award-winning educator known for her leadership in evidence-based practice. Together, they unpack what Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) really looks like in action beyond buzzwords and flowcharts. Sarah shares how her school aligns Tier 1 teaching, intervention and extension to ensure every student thrives, not just those who struggle. Listeners will hear how Bentleigh West’s team uses data to drive decisions, keeps variance low across classrooms, and extends students at the top through what Sarah calls a “diamond model” of support. This episode offers a practical, whole-school view of MTSS, one grounded in strong leadership, clear systems, and a belief that consistency creates equity. Resources mentioned: DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) Spelling Mastery The Writing Revolution (Judith Hochman & Natalie Wexler) Letters Course (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling – LETRS) Story Champs Reading Doctor Program (Flinders University) Times Tables Rock Stars New Wave Mental Maths Core Knowledge Curriculum Response to Intervention…

People in this episode

Host: Brendan Lee

Guest: Sarah Asome

Topics covered

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
• education leadership
• data-driven decision making
• equity in education
• student support strategies

Keywords

• MTSS
• evidence-based practice
• Tier 1 teaching
• student intervention
• educational equity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bentleigh West Primary School, Endowment Foundation, Education Endowment Foundation, Victorian Lesson Plans

Products: DIBELS, Spelling Mastery, The Writing Revolution, Letters Course, Story Champs, Reading Doctor Program, Times Tables Rock Stars, New Wave Mental Maths, Core Knowledge Curriculum, Response to Intervention

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