About IM4

IM4 provides a much needed solution to improve intervention programming for students who exhibit social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that serve as barriers to learning. IM4 simplifies intervention programming by coordinating the process from beginning to end: Match, Map, Monitor, and Meet.

The IM4 system has many ready-to-go interventions based on whether the student’s main problems of concern are due to a performance-deficit (won’t do or lack of will) and acquisition-deficit (can’t do or lack of skill). Each intervention is coupled with an automated implementation-facilitation function, such as a step-by-step outline of the active ingredients, customizability progress monitoring tool that can be tailored case-by-case, and fidelity checklist to track the degree to which the intervention is delivered as planned. Also, there is a function to add Ad Hoc interventions and simply use the IM4 as an automated implementation aid to do planning, PM, graphing, fidelity check and decision making.

For more information please visit our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us at im4@umn.edu.

Meet the Team

Clay Cook, Ph.D., L.P.

Associate Professor, Department of Educational Psychology

Dr. Clay Cook is the John and Nancy Peyton Faculty Fellow in Child and Adolescent Wellbeing at the University of Minnesota and Associate Professor in the School Psychology Program. He has extensive research and practical experiences involving the implementation of multi-tiered systems of support to promote children’s social, emotional and behavioral wellbeing as the foundation for academic and life success. He co-founded the School Mental Health Assessment, Research and Training (SMART) Center at the University of Washington and is a core faculty member within the Institute of Translational Research in Children’s Mental Health at the University of Minnesota. He has received over 10 million dollars in external grant funding from multiple agencies and foundations. In addition to his research, he consults with several school systems throughout the US to improve the delivery of a continuum of high quality services to promote better social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes for students.

Yanchen Zhang, Ph.D., NCSP

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychological & Quantitative Foundations at the University of Iowa

Yanchen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychological & Quantitative Foundations at the University of Iowa. He received his Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Minnesota and M.Ed. from the University of Washington. He is an international scholar from China with a major in Clinical Psychology and a minor in Computer Science. Yanchen's current research interests include school-based mental health service, advanced and technology innovation to promote the translation of evidence-based practices into educational sectors. He is passionate about conducting applied research with diverse methodologies that focus on making available pragmatic, usable tools and resources to guide efforts to promote the social, emotional and behavioral wellbeing of students. He joined the University of Minnesota in 2015. He has numerous peer-reviewed publications and national and international presentations.

Jessica McLain

IM4 Project Manager, Director of K-12 professional development at the University of Minnesota.

Jessica has worked at the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Devleopment for 10+ years. She is the primary contact for our IM4 system and will provide any assistance you may need in learning more about our IM4 system. Her focus and passion lies in providing, and developing, non-credit K-12 professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, as well as enhancing student success for all students. She holds a M.Ed in Youth Development and Leadership, with a focus on social emotional development. She has worked in public schools as a college career readiness teacher for middle and high school students, and has led student leadership groups and activities. She lives in Minneapolis, MN and in her free time loves to spend as much time outdoors as possible with her children, family, and friends.

Steve Johnson

IM4 Sales Consultant

Steve Johnson has worked as an Education Assistant, Special Ed Coordinator, Behavior and Crisis Intervention Specialist in the MN Charter School system for the past 9 years. Combined with over 10 years in sales, promotions, and marketing working with various companies, college and pro sport teams. Steve's passion lies in coaching, working in sales, and/or in the education system with students with different learning needs. In his spare time you can find Steve playing softball and basketball in various adult leagues around the Twin Cities.

Curtis Slater

IM4 Trainer

Mr. Curtis Slater has worked in the U.S public school system for the past 27 years. He has been a paraprofessional in a level 4 EBD program, 6th Grade Teacher at Coon Rapids Middle School, Dean of Students, Associate Principal, and Principal. Mr. Slater had the opportunity to train over 500 schools around positive school culture, social/emotional learning, RTI and MTSS. Mr. Slater was the 2018 National Distinguished Principal of the Year for Minnesota. His wonderful wife and three amazing kids live in Andover, Minnesota. His leisure activities include hunting, fishing, traveling, and watching his kids play sports.

Emilee Kaupp

IM4 Customer Support

My name is Emilee Kaupp and I'm excited to be joining IM4, for the last 7 years I have worked within the education system in varying roles from classroom teacher, to special education, science, and gifted education teacher. I'm excited to be making the transition out of the classroom and join the IM4 team where I can continue to make an impact on the world of education from outside the classroom. I'm excited to be working with IM4 because I have a passion for social emotional learning and making the lives of our future generations successful by breaking down social, emotional and behavioral barriers.