Ellyssa Walter Named MTSS Director at Claremore Public Schools
CLAREMORE, Okla. - Claremore Public Schools’ new MTSS Director, Ellyssa Walter, is focused on helping schools recognize student needs early and connect children with the support they need to succeed. A CPS school psychologist since 2020, Walter brings experience in student support, school data and team leadership to her new district role.
MTSS stands for Multi-Tiered System of Supports. It is a framework that brings academic, behavioral and emotional support together across schools. The work starts with strong classroom instruction for every student. When a student needs additional help, school teams use information about that child’s progress to choose appropriate support and check whether it is working. Families are partners throughout the process.
For Walter, that work is rooted in a personal understanding of the difference educators can make. Growing up, she watched dedicated teachers transform the school experience of her sister, who has a disability. Later, working with students and families experiencing deep poverty strengthened her belief that public education can provide safety and opportunity.
“I am fueled by the firm conviction that all children can learn, having seen students who struggle the most surpass expectations when backed by high-quality programming and compassionate teachers,” Walter said.
Walter’s professional background combines experience supporting students with skills in teamwork and operations. Raised by small-business owners, she learned early how planning and collaboration help an organization serve people well. While completing her degree at Kansas State, she worked as an applied behavior analysis therapist serving active-duty military cases and as a district autism support specialist. She also managed restaurant and catering operations.
Before joining CPS, Walter spent three years as a school psychologist and data lead in Wisconsin, where she helped build tiered systems of support. Since arriving in Claremore in 2020, she has served as a school psychologist, guided school and district teams through leadership and mentorship roles, and contributed to the District MTSS Leadership Team.
As MTSS Director, Walter will work with teachers, principals and district leaders to strengthen how schools deliver instruction and respond when students need more help. Her priorities include building clear processes for using student data, aligning curriculum and support practices, and strengthening the teams that carry out this work across campuses.
For families, the goal is a more connected experience as children move through school. Teachers and school teams will have shared tools to identify needs, select support, and review progress. Walter wants those systems to build on the work already underway at CPS and help staff respond consistently across grade levels.
Her approach to leadership centers on collaboration, trust and practical coaching. She plans to work alongside educators as they review student progress, strengthen classroom instruction and choose additional interventions. Staff can also turn to her for help modeling interventions, working through complex student needs and improving how they track progress.
Walter sees support for teachers as essential to student success. She wants educators to feel equipped to respond to classroom challenges and connected to colleagues who can help them find solutions. Her emphasis on persistence, teamwork and practical problem-solving reflects CPS’s core values of Grit, Community, Innovation, Excellence and Purpose.
“Student success isn’t a single test score; it is about individual growth, confidence, and removing barriers to learning,” Walter said. “For students needing extra support, success means making meaningful progress from their starting point while feeling safe, capable, and valued.”
Walter also wants families to understand that MTSS is an ongoing partnership. School teams identify needs, provide help and use progress information to adjust that support over time. The focus remains on each student’s strengths and the next steps that will help that child grow.
Outside of work, Walter enjoys time with her husband, daughters and three dogs. She and her husband like attending college sporting events and listening to live music. She also enjoys reading and spending time outdoors.
As she steps into this role, Walter is eager to continue serving CPS alongside the educators and families who know its students best.
“I am honored to step into the role of MTSS Director and continue serving our district,” Walter said. “My promise to our students, staff, and families is that we will build on Claremore’s strong foundation by creating clear, compassionate, and equitable support systems across all our campuses.”