May 18, 2026 – Reviving Strong Tier 1 Instruction: Moving the Needle for Students Who Need It Most

You’re doing the work of building a Community School — now, how do you move the needle on Tier 1 instruction so that every student experiences the benefits inside the classroom? Join Lead by Learning for an interactive session that explores how to make that dream a reality. 

In this interactive 1-hr webinar, Gretchen Livesey will share insights on Whole Child Education and the Science of Learning, and Nina Portugal from Lead by Learning will dig into the power of centering focal students, not just to support individual learners, but to design universally accessible instruction that lifts the entire classroom community. Together, we’ll explore how “low floor, high ceiling” lesson design invites every student in, how understanding our focal students can drive stronger Tier 1 instruction for all, and why teacher-led PLCs are the essential engine for educators to study what’s working, grapple with what they’re not yet seeing, and lead meaningful instructional change. This dynamic session will include guided application time for you to begin planning the change you want to see. Walk away with new ways of thinking to inform your decision-making starting tomorrow.

Who should attend:

Principals, instructional coaches, Community School coordinators, teacher leaders, educators, community partners, and anyone committed to building classrooms where every student is a valued member of the learning community are invited. This session is for you.

Learn more about your facilitators:

Gretchen Livesey is an educational leader and partnership builder with more than three decades of experience at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. She translates emerging science of learning and development into actionable strategies for educators and system leaders. Gretchen has deep roots in community schools work, including her ongoing role coaching and supporting district and county office leaders across a 12-county Northern California region through the Capitol Area R-TAC. Her career spans classroom teaching, school design, district leadership, and statewide systems change — always oriented toward ensuring every young person has access to rigorous, relevant, and connected learning experiences. 

Nina Portugal is a former classroom teacher and teacher leader in Oakland Unified School District. She joined the Lead by Learning team in 2020, and has been leading adult learning and student-centered collaboration ever since. Passionate about the power of collaborative inquiry to shift system thinking and actions, she brings her love of building collective efficacy and adaptive expertise to everyone she works with. 

Register Today. Once registered, look for a follow-up email from Lead by Learning and a calendar invite with the accompanying Zoom link.