Program Wide Pyramid Model Implementation

Maryland’s 1st Cohort of PM Implementation Sites

In the Fall of 2022, we launched our first Pyramid Model Implementation Site pilot program. After reviewing several applications, we selected 5 implementation sites to participate in our inaugural cohort. These programs are working with a trained Pyramid Model coach over the course of 2-3 years to accomplish full implementation of the model, including: ​

  • An active PM Leadership Team, including families, meeting monthly with a work plan​
  • Annual completion and review of a program-wide fidelity measure, which prompts system-wide policy reviews, initiates family engagement practices, as well as considers interactions within the classroom, etc.)​
  • Staff-wide training​
  • Classroom-wide fidelity tools completed ​
  • Staff engaged in PBC coaching cycles to identify goals based on fidelity measures​
  • Engaging in regular data collection as well as analysis to inform practices and progress

Maryland’s 1st Cohort of Pyramid Model Implementation Sites

In early 2023, implementation activities began. Our implementation site pilot program is guided by the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) framework. Our team’s adaptation of the model is described below, along with the implementation and evaluation activities that accompany each stage. By the end of 2023, all sites were in either the installation or the initial implementation stage. We look forward to supporting our programs in moving through the remaining stages.

Implementation activities outline

Maryland’s 1st Cohort of Pyramid Model Implementation Sites

Kiddie Academy of Kent Island

  • Queen Anne’s County; Stevensville, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “We are seeking support to create a school wide language to deal with challenging behaviors, more tools to use with those same behaviors as children have changed in the last few years behaviorally, with significantly more needs and classroom staff need support”

Rainbow Child Development Center

  • Prince George’s County; Bowie, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “Post pandemic we can see the impact on the children emotionally and I am excited for the additional support to help our children and to help our teachers. We have been on our own.”

Greenbelt Children’s Center

  • Prince George’s County; Greenbelt, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “Engaging in this pilot would provide staff with support and resources necessary to effectively meet the needs of children who are delayed socially and emotionally largely due to COVID. This will help our dedicated staff not suffer from burnout as they relentlessly try to continue to make a positive difference with the children we serve. Additionally, engaging in this pilot could help support our family engagement as we attempt to educate the families about some of the causes and strategies to use to address some of the behaviors we are seeing at school and they are seeing at home.”

Bradley Hills Presbyterian Nursery School

  • Montgomery County; Bethesda, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “BHPCNS is a unique community nursery school. While we are situated in an affluent part of Montgomery County, we have multiple families who receive scholarship aide to attend our program. While overwhelmingly we are a school where the majority of children are considered privileged, the reality is affluence doesn’t prevent a child from having developmental or cognitive challenges. We fund all the interventions we provide, extra or special equipment, consultant fees, screening fees, additional staffing/shadows when needed and more to provide the children in our care with the supports they need to be successful. Adding a comprehensive training using the Pyramid Model would be another way for BHPCNS to provide the best possible learning environment for all the children in our care, not just those with special needs. The majority of the staff at BHPCNS is long-tenured and come from a variety of backgrounds. More than 50% of our staff had children attend BHPCNS and they have chosen to work here to provide the same love and play-based early childhood experience to a new generation of children, which allowed their children to thrive in their formal academic years. We are a dedicated staff who believe all children deserve a safe, happy, and loving first exposure to school.”

Head Start/Early Head Start of Washington County

  • Washington County; Hagerstown, MD
  • Message from Program Director: “We are proud of the fact that we have managed to continue to move forward with PBIS/Pyramid Model initiatives even through the COVID-19 Pandemic. We have had setbacks, but also were able to keep going. We are still experiencing staffing issues, but again, continue to move forward because we believe that it is a real answer to the increase in challenging behaviors that we see in our classrooms.”

Meet our program coaches

What do our program coaches do?

  • Establish and support the PM Program Leadership Team within participating child care programs to identify goals, develop a work plan, and review data to monitor progress
  • Deliver training for all staff
  • Conduct observations using fidelity measurement tool(s): TPOT and/or TPITOS
  • Engage with educators in individualized coaching, using the Practice Based Coaching cycle
  • Enter data documenting training, observation, and coaching interactions
  • Attend a monthly community of practice facilitated by the PIEC team
Janiecka Brown

I am always excited to share knowledge with early childhood educators.  I want them to know that the Pyramid Model is not just something else to do in the classroom, it is about establishing classroom practices that help children learn and use necessary social skills.

Janiecka Brown

Joan Johnson

Working this last year as a Pyramid Model Coach has been very exciting. The teachers have implemented strategies in their classrooms supporting the children’s social and emotional development. Watching the children respond and learn to use their words and go to the Calm Down area when they need a break has been wonderful. The most exciting event was the participation of 15 families in the Positive Solutions for Families training program. This provides the children with support at home and at school in developing strong social skills. I look forward to continuing this work in the future.

Joan Johnson

LaToya Harper-Williams

I am excited about the pyramid model implementation because I get to help and guide people. I am passionate about helping others succeed. So, this is a good opportunity for future development. 

LaToya Harper-Williams

Tracy Gomer

I am excited about being a Pyramid Model program coach because of my deep commitment to the field and enthusiasm for collaborating with childcare providers to foster best practices in early childhood education.

Tracy Gomer

Maimunah Marah

I am so excited to serve as one of the Pyramid Model Implementation Coaches for Maryland’s Early Mental Health Pilot Program. I’m so proud of Maryland for investing in Early Mental Health and striving to decrease preschool suspension & expulsion rates throughout the state. I’m already enjoying working with this amazing team of PM Coaches. And I look forward to continuing to wrap our youngest learners in another layer of intentional support in collaboration with their families and teachers. 

Maimunah Marah

Michele Hall

I am most excited for the opportunity to work collaboratively to personalize the Pyramid Model resources to meet the demographics of the program and to see the positive impact for the children, families, and the educators.

Michele Hall

Stephanie Schaefer

Pyramid Model practices are such powerful tools for teachers and programs to have in their toolkits. I am excited to serve as a coach in the Pyramid Model Pilot program to support the work of early childhood programs in providing socially and emotionally supportive classroom environments.

Stephanie Schaefer