In this episode of Autonome, host Fran Kenton, Founder and Creator of Autonome, sits down with Andrew Morton, MTSS Behavior Coordinator and Director of Student Services at Mount Vernon R-V School District in Missouri. Andrew shares a powerful leadership journey that began with being a disengaged student, detoured through a career in golf, and ultimately led to special education after a life-altering health challenge reshaped his path.

Fran and Andrew explore what it takes to build behavior and support systems that actually work in real classrooms. Andrew reflects on the mentors who saw his gifts before he did, the resilience he learned while caring for a parent with a progressive illness, and how those experiences shaped his compassion, patience, and insistence on accountability. He introduces his “come alongside” leadership philosophy, supporting educators through clarity, consistency, and practical systems rather than mandates.

The conversation also dives into the districtwide impact of Andrew’s Restorative Reset Method, including a 42 percent reduction in office referrals across eight buildings in a previous role, and how he is now strengthening MTSS and special education processes in a smaller district by building teams, routines, and clear pathways of support.

Key Moments

04:21 "Discovering a Calling in Special Ed"

09:36 "Lessons in Flexibility from Family"

11:50 Supportive Principal Shaped My Journey

16:09 "Supporting Teachers, Supporting Students"

18:55 "Strong Enough to Be Flexible"

23:40 Weekly Support Meetings for Teachers

27:13 "Improving Classroom Placement Systems"

28:20 "Restorative Reset Method Manual"

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode offers a practical and grounded look at how behavior systems and MTSS can support both students and staff without burning educators out. Andrew shares clear, real-world examples of what consistency looks like, where flexibility matters most, and how leaders can create environments where students know what is expected and teachers feel supported.

You will also hear a thoughtful perspective on leadership that is both relational and operational. Andrew's mindset, paired with concrete systems like weekly staffings and restorative resets, provides a clear roadmap for districts looking to improve behavior outcomes while protecting the integrity of special education services.

Connect with Andrew Morton | MTSS Behavior Coordinator and Director of Student Services, Mount Vernon R-V School District

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-morton-31aba81a8
Website: https://www.mtvernon.k12.mo.us/

Connect with Fran Kenton and Autonome

Fran Kenton
Founder and Creator, Autonome
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-kenton-a0a7969a/

Autonome
Website: https://www.autonome101.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autonome101/

About Autonome

Autonome is the podcast where district leaders share practical, scalable ways to build students’ foundational life skills—wellbeing, identity and purpose, relationships, and executive function—so they can manage life today and be ready for what’s next.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Autonome for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of student success.