New Staffing Models Put Strong Teachers Out Front

From The 74, by Greg Toppo, July 29, 2026

In Carlsbad, N.M., a tiny district in the southeastern corner of the state, nine of its 12 schools have turned teacher assignments upside-down, inviting their best teachers to coach a team of colleagues, model lessons and take direct responsibility for the achievement of every student the team serves.

In exchange, each teacher-leader earns substantially more — without leaving the classroom.

The idea grew out of an emerging staffing model called Opportunity Culture, now in its fourth year in the Carlsbad Municipal School District. It’s reshaping how schools there and elsewhere deploy teachers. …

Read the full article here and learn more about Opportunity Culture® models in Carlsbad here.

Keep Learning

ECISD announces $6.3 million in Teacher Incentive Allotment awards

From Odessa American, May 14, 2026 Ector County ISD on Thursday handed out big checks to teachers who earned a designation in the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. This year 532 ECISD teachers were designated by the state, including 175 who are newly...