-2.png)
A Leadership Conversation with Armand Pires and Ryan Sherman, authors of The Fourth Tier: Modernizing MTSS for Student Mental Health
Live Webinar
March 25, 2026
2:00 PM ET
Overview
Let’s be honest: leading a district right now feels heavier than it used to. You’re carrying a profound responsibility at a pivotal moment. Every single day, you’re asked to protect students, support a staff that’s running on fumes, and reassure your community – all while navigating a mental health surge that's fundamentally reshaping how schools operate.
The data tells us that nearly 1 in 5 children experience a mental health disorder each year. But you don’t need the data to know that; you see it in your hallways. As needs intensify and provider shortages persist, the pressure on your MTSS framework isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s personal. And it’s urgent.
We know the old playbooks aren't working like they did in years past. That’s why 2025 Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year Dr. Armand Pires partnered with Director of Wellness Ryan Sherman to map out a forward-looking response in their new book, The Fourth Tier: Modernizing MTSS for Student Mental Health.
Join us for a candid, leader-to-leader conversation about what it really takes to evolve your systems responsibly when the framework itself is buckling under the strain.
Register Now
Highlights
In this moderated leadership conversation, we will:
Get real about the strain: Clarify exactly why traditional Tier 1 through Tier 3 supports are struggling to keep up – and what that means for the future of your district’s design.
Spot the hidden signals: Identify where mental health complexity is actually surfacing in your data, from chronic absenteeism to staff burnout.
Move beyond Band-Aids: Understand what responsible MTSS evolution looks like, focusing on long-term systemic health rather than reactive, short-term fixes.
Lead with confidence: Strengthen your approach to navigating this surge with the clarity and credibility your community needs right now.
Panelists
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
2025 Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year
Armand has served as a Massachusetts superintendent since 2015, bringing more than 20 years of experience in education. With a background in public health and a Ph.D., he champions student mental health and educator development. He was named the 2025 Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year.
Ryan Sherman, DBH
Director of Wellness, Author & Consultant
Ryan has served as Director of Wellness for Medway Schools since 2016, strengthening partnerships between schools and outpatient behavioral health systems. A former Massachusetts General Hospital provider, he is a published behavioral health researcher and Senior Professor of Social and Emotional Learning at Cambridge College. He has received statewide and hospital innovation awards.
Vanessa Howe, LCSW
Director, K12 Therapy
Vanessa leads TimelyCare’s K12 therapy team. A licensed therapist, clinical supervisor, and certified school social worker, she brings 18 years of experience serving children and families. She began her career in Michigan K12 districts and specializes in integrated behavioral health programs and expanding access to evidence based care.
The Modern MTSS Leadership Series:
This is just the beginning. This session kicks off our three-part Modern MTSS Leadership Series: “MTSS Under Pressure: Leadership Strategies for a New Era of Student Need.
This series will further explore how attendance signals clinical needs and why protecting student wellness is actually the key to protecting your staff.
Keep an eye out for upcoming invites!
Beyond Tier 3: Leading Through the Mental Health Surge
Student needs are outpacing traditional supports, and the cracks in the MTSS framework are showing. In this executive conversation, we’ll explore why Tier 1 through Tier 3 just aren't enough anymore. More importantly, we’ll discuss what responsible evolution looks like for districts balancing rising acuity, staff shortages, and the pressure to deliver results.
Attendance as a Warning Sign: Addressing the Root Causes of Chronic Absenteeism
Too often, we treat absenteeism as a compliance issue. But what if it’s actually a cry for help? This session reframes attendance as a critical system indicator. We’ll help you identify root causes, intervene earlier, and protect your MTSS capacity by aligning mental health support exactly where it’s needed to stabilize engagement.
The Burnout Cascade: How Supporting Student Wellness Protects Your Students and Staff
When student needs exceed system capacity, your educators are the ones who absorb the shock. This session treats mental health as a workforce sustainability issue. We’ll offer strategies to protect your staff’s capacity, reduce "role creep," and strengthen your district’s stability by treating student wellness as a shared system responsibility.