By Amber Hines; first published by EducationNC, March 5, 2019
“Our students are digital natives, so they’re confident with technology; it can give them the freedom to share their thoughts and think critically about both their own and their peers’ work.” For Multi-Classroom Leader® Amber Hines, who uses two-way video recording and QR codes with her students, technology enhances instruction by drawing out and engaging her teaching team’s students. Read More…
Beverley Tyndall
Guilford County System Tries New Approach to Help Students at Struggling Schools
From The Greensboro News & Record, January 14, 2019 by Jessie Pounds
After 10 years teaching English at Dudley High School, Ashley Ekwem-Thorpe had plenty of “Panther” pride, but also a desire for a new adventure. So this school year she applied for a new position advertised at Hairston Middle School, a feeder school to Dudley.
Multi-Classroom Leadership
Multi-Classroom Leadership is the cornerstone of an Opportunity Culture. Teachers with a record of high-growth student learning and leadership competencies, known as multi-classroom leaders or MCLs, both teach part of the time and lead small, collaborative teams of two to eight teachers, paraprofessionals, and teacher residents in the same grade or subject to meet each MCL’s standards of excellence.
Using Teacher-Leaders to Improve Schools
From The Hechinger Report, November 29, 2018 by Tara Garcia Mathewson
Edgecombe County Public Schools in rural North Carolina has long had trouble filling all of its open teaching positions. Historically, there just hasn’t been enough interest among qualified candidates. But that’s changing.
‘Opportunity Culture®’ Approach Spreads Teacher Leadership Without Requiring Exit From Classroom
From Education Dive, November 20, 2018, by Allie Gross
A solution to teacher recruitment and retention may be hidden within a district’s staff, according to a new article in The Hechinger Report that details Opportunity Culture, a creative initiative where effective educators double as “teacher-leaders” and spend time coaching other teachers in a school.
Winter 2018 Newsletter
The Winter 2018 edition of our newsletter for Opportunity Culture educators includes an announcement of the 2018–19 Opportunity Culture Fellows; facts about the research on Multi-Classroom Leadership; a spotlight on Opportunity Culture results in North Carolina; plus recent publications, news stories from around the country, and free tools and resources that you need now! Read the Winter 2018 newsletter here.
Clarify Roles to Get Team Buy-In
Set Clear Expectations for Support to Reach Goals
Principal Jeremy Baugh discusses the need to set a vision immediately, backed up with support to reach ambitious goals.
Protect Multi-Classroom Leaders’ Time to Lead
Principals must set the clear expectation that multi-classroom leaders (MCLs) will not get weighed down with extra duties, Principal Kelly Gwaltney says.
Personalize Approach to Teachers’ Challenges
Principal Michelle McVicker customizes the support she gives to multi-classroom leaders (MCLs), as they should customize for their teams.