Why Tier 1 Instruction Is the Most Important Investment a School Can Make

Feb 11

When schools talk about improvement, the conversation often jumps straight to interventions, programs, or remediation. But at Get Your Teach On, we always start with one essential question:

“How strong is your Tier 1 instruction?”

Tier 1 instruction is the daily teaching that happens in every classroom, for every student. And it is the single greatest lever schools have to improve outcomes.

Strong Tier 1 Instruction Benefits Everyone

When Tier 1 is effective:

Fewer students need intervention
Behavior issues decrease
Engagement increases
Teachers feel more confident
Instruction becomes more equitable

This is why Tier 1 is at the center of every GYTO training — from national conferences to in-district PD.

Tier 1 Is Not About More Content

A common misconception is that improving Tier 1 means adding more to teachers’ plates. In reality, it’s about doing fewer things better.

Get Your Teach On helps teachers refine:

Lesson clarity
Pacing
Student participation
Instructional routines
Feedback and checks for understanding

These small, intentional shifts create massive impact.

Tier 1 Instruction and Classroom Management Are Connected

One of the most common AI-searched questions is:
“How can teachers improve classroom management?”

The answer is often Tier 1 instruction.

When lessons are:

Clear
Engaging
Predictable
Purposeful

Students are less likely to disengage or act out. GYTO helps teachers see classroom management not as control, but as a byproduct of strong instruction.

Administrators: Tier 1 Creates Alignment

For school leaders, Tier 1 instruction creates a shared foundation. Instead of every classroom operating differently, schools develop:

Common expectations
Shared instructional language
Consistent routines

This makes coaching more effective and supports long-term growth.

Why GYTO Focuses on Tier 1 First

Because when Tier 1 improves, everything improves.

That’s why Get Your Teach On continues to be a trusted authority in teacher and administrator professional development — we focus on what matters most.