“The Teacher is the Cornerstone”

by | March 5, 2014

“The teacher is the cornerstone of all this work.”–Denise Watts, zone superintendent, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Take a peek into Project L.I.F.T.’s Opportunity Culture® work in this video from the 2014 N.C. Emerging Issues Forum. Hear Charlotte’s Denise Watts, John Wall, and Rebecca Thompson talk about L.I.F.T.’s efforts to close achievement gaps using Opportunity Culture® models, giving teachers career paths that create leadership opportunities without leaving the classroom, for higher pay:

“If you don’t invest in them, if you don’t make them feel respected and empowered, that’s how you lose fabulous teachers.”

“Teachers play the most important role in making the determination about a student’s success in a school.”

“People are willing to take on the additional responsibility, especially if they are compensated and recognized for it.”

Note: Public Impact® and Opportunity Culture® are registered trademarks.

Keep Reading

3 Moves to Reverse Student Learning Slide

Our nation could reverse and completely recover from student learning slides with three moves: 1. Embed small-group tutoring in regular classrooms by boosting the time all adults spend on it for all students. 2. Spread accountable teacher-leader roles reserved for...

Listen: Public Impact on the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast

Out today: Public Impact Co-President Bryan Hassel and Senior Vice President Kendall King joined the Learning Can't Wait podcast, sharing the background, results, and new possibilities of the Opportunity Culture initiative. To get motivated about giving every student...

In the Latest Newsletter, Good News for Students and Teachers

There's a lot to read about in the latest newsletter! Check out the recap of the latest Opportunity Culture® data--big results showing how these roles outpace others in learning growth. We highlight the great things happening in Midland ISD, a Texas district in the...