Make Your MTSS Vision a Reality

Caitlin is a Professional Services Manager with Branching Minds. She graduated with a B.S. Ed in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She served as an elementary classroom teacher in several grade levels after graduation. Caitlin earned her M. Ed in Educational Technology from Webster University. After seven years of classroom teaching, Caitlin moved into the role of Instructional Specialist. In this role, she provided tier 3 intensive support in reading and math, K-5, and led her elementary building’s MTSS efforts. Caitlin has previously served as Lead Trainer consulting with educational technology platforms in universal screening, progress monitoring, and whole-child data visualization.

Trudy Bender is the Senior Manager of Thought Leadership Content at Branching Minds. She previously served as the Coordinator of District Behavior Intervention at Waco ISD, where she facilitated the implementation of a multi-tiered system of supports for behavior along with initiatives to improve school climate and to build teacher capacity in classroom management through peer coaching. She is passionate about helping teachers and administrators to develop a positive, restorative, instructional approach to behavior that reduces disproportionality in discipline while improving social-emotional and academic outcomes for all students. Trudy holds an Ed.S. in School Psychology from Baylor University.