Are you feeling overwhelmed by the three-tier system? You’re not alone! I was recently inspired by a question I got from a fellow school counselor on instagram, @counselingwithconfidence. She asked, “Do you typically do a classroom lesson monthly? With all grade levels? Or is there a specific grade level for certain months?”

This episode kicks off the Tiers Without Tears series, designed to help you navigate class lessons, small groups, and more with ease and confidence. Today, we’re focusing on class lessons—the foundation of Tier 1 support—and breaking it down into actionable steps to make this essential task feel manageable and impactful.

Some topics covered in this episode are:

• Understanding the basics of class lessons and how they differ from referral-based services.

• Tips for scheduling

• How to pick one topic per month and tailor it to various grade levels, from primary to high school.

• Example: A January topic like goal setting and growth mindset could range from "positive vs. negative thought monsters" for younger students to discussions on limiting beliefs for older students.

• Tools for scheduling your lessons with teachers, such as Calendly, Google Sheets, or paper sign-ups, to streamline the process and avoid email overload.

• Free live training announcement: Learn how to thrive instead of just survive this semester! Join us January 21–22 for a free training at stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/thrive, and receive a free planning and curriculum map, plus a PD certificate of attendance.

Tune in to get practical strategies for mastering Tier 1 class lessons and feel confident about tackling this semester with a clear plan!

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• Check out my favorite growth mindset lessons here!

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• Sign up for my FREE live training on either January 21st or 22nd here!

Connect with Rachel:

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More About School Counseling Simplified:

School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!