Summer '26 Rewind, Episode rerun

Implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports, with Brittney Bills, Ed.D.

On this encore episode of Science of Reading: The Podcast, host Susan Lambert, Ed.D., is joined by Brittney Bills, Ed.D., educator and senior manager of literacy partnerships at Amplify. Brittney explains what a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is and how it centers on prevention rather than intervention. She also talks about the intersection of universal screening data and an MTSS, and provides advice on evidence-based strategies and techniques to make a positive impact in your classroom. Drawing on examples from her former district, Brittney discusses how to prevent burnout, use data effectively, and support ongoing improvement.

Join Science of Reading: The Community to connect with fellow educators.

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Transcripts and additional resources:

Connect with Brittney Bills on LinkedIn.
Listen to Season 3 of Amplify’s Beyond My Years podcast.
Join our community Facebook group.
Connect with Susan Lambert.
Read the transcript.

Meet Our Guest(s):

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Brittney Bills, Ed.D.

Brittney Bills is currently a senior manager of literacy partnerships at Amplify. She is a former elementary principal, elementary ELA curriculum and MTSS coordinator, and school psychologist. She was trained as a facilitator for LETRS Volume 1 and 2, and has served as an adjunct professor.

Brittney has supported multiple school districts in establishing a MTSS framework. Additionally, she has coordinated and supported the adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials, including standards alignment, curriculum mapping, and professional development in effective instructional practices for teaching literacy. She has been recognized for her work in literacy and MTSS implementation by being named a LETRS Literacy Champion and an Amplifying Your District Science of Reading Star Award recipient.

Meet our host, Susan Lambert, Ed.D.

Susan Lambert is chief academic officer of literacy at Amplify and host of Science of Reading: The Podcast. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating high-quality learning environments using evidence-based practices. Lambert is a mom of four, a grandma of four, a world traveler, and a collector of stories.

As the host of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Lambert explores the increasing body of scientific research around how reading is best taught. A former classroom teacher, administrator, and curriculum developer, she’s dedicated to turning theory into best practices that educators can put right to use in the classroom, and to showcasing national models of reading instruction excellence.

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Quotes

“MTSS is not another thing, it is the thing.”

—Brittney Bills

“The universal tier is the first intervention for all students, and it presents the greatest opportunity for us to have an impact.”

—Brittney Bills

“We want to use data and leverage data to make decisions that are going to help us arrive at our outcomes in the most efficient and effective means possible.”

—Brittney Bills

“[An] MTSS is not a thing that lives outside of the Science of Reading. They're two things that complement each other very, very well.”

—Brittney Bills