Small Groups. Big Growth. How MTSS Fuels Academic Excellence

Spend a morning with elementary aide Shari LeGrand, and you’ll quickly see why MTSS is the engine behind academic excellence at Timothy Christian Schools. The room hums with focus and joy—students clustered in small groups, leaning over books and whiteboards—each one experiencing those lightbulb moments that come when learning truly clicks.

This is MTSS in action.

Like nearly every aide in the program, Shari is a certified teacher. In fact, many classroom aides are former teachers—experience that makes all the difference for Timothy students. MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) ensures every student receives individually-customized instruction. While the framework is grounded in data, its heart is deeply relationship-focused. It’s in these small groups where students build confidence that leads to measurable academic growth. “It is truly a blessing to be a part of our Christ-centered education at Timothy!” Shari says. “It’s full circle for me. I attended Timothy and had so many teachers impact my life and now I have the honor of bringing Christ into my MTSS groups through various learning opportunities.” 

Timothy has ten classroom aides who meet with small groups, provide differentiated learning, and even “push in” to classrooms. On any given day, Shari works with 70–75 students across multiple grade levels. Each group is based on testing data and classroom performance and is carefully formed by teachers, with the help of support staff, the Director of Teaching and Learning Kris Wise, and the Director of Educational Support Laura Groenewold. Moreover, the groups are fluid, which means every student is getting just the right instruction. 

Once the groups are formed, teachers provide units for reading and multi-week lesson plans for math. Aides then customize lessons to fit their students’ needs—adding activities, pacing adjustments, and creative touches. “There’s structure,” Shari explains, “but also room for creativity.”

Differentiation is deliberate. “There’s a reteaching group, a double-dose group, and enrichment,” Shari notes. “Each student is working on what they need next.”  

What MTSS Feels Like for Students

Because the groups are small, connection comes naturally. “You can really connect with the kids on a different level,” Shari says. She watches for those moments when a concept clicks—or when students start helping one another. “They are so great at helping each other, even the little kids,” she adds. “When a kid can teach another kid—that’s mastery.”

One third grade reading group stands out in her memory. The students didn’t just follow the plot; they uncovered deeper themes and patterns. “Their conversations went beyond what was on the page,” she recalls.

It happens in math, too. Recently, fifth graders spotted number patterns Shari hadn’t introduced. “Discovery fuels confidence, and confidence fuels momentum,” she says.

The Teamwork Behind the Scenes

MTSS is truly a team effort. Teachers build rosters and learning targets; aides deliver small-group instruction; and leaders like Kris Wise and Laura Groenewold keep the moving parts synchronized. “I honestly don’t know how Kris organizes everything—so many people, kids, and groups—but she does it,” Shari says.

Support is constant. “If we have questions, the teachers are always there,” she explains. Shari often collaborates with Advanced Learning Teacher Joy Perley, and administrators regularly observe MTSS groups.

Elementary Aides (L-R): Tammy Walker, Amie Treacy, Laura Burns, Sue Weglarz, Mary Rose Cardinal, Kim Ramaker, Abby Wolterstorff, Betsy Richmann, Shari LeGrand, not pictured: Anne Contant

Why It Matters—for Every Child

Whether a student needs reteaching, reinforcement, or enrichment, MTSS provides a path for growth and academic success. Smaller groups invite participation, differentiated materials meet every readiness level, and steady practice builds confidence.

Ask Shari what success looks like and she won’t point to a test score. She’ll point to the steady rhythm of small wins. “I see every day as a success,” she says. “The kids are always learning something and I get to see their excitement when things click!”