By Public Impact, September 14, 2022
Since Superintendent Scott Muri, a finalist for state superintendent of the year in Texas, brought Opportunity Culture models to Ector County Independent School District in 2019, the district has seen significant improvement in student learning and teacher recruitment.
By Paola Gilliam and Sharon Kebschull Barrett, September 14, 2022
After struggling with teacher shortages for years, Ector County Independent School District (ISD) in Odessa, Texas, announced its best recruiting year in over a decade. In an Odessa American article, Superintendent Scott Muri attributed the recruiting success of about 450 teachers to several strategies, including Opportunity Culture implementation and pay raises.
The August newsletter includes a new Opportunity Culture audio piece and video; information about the Opportunity Culture Directors Gathering; tools and resources for fall; the latest news about Opportunity Culture sites and educators; and more! Read the August 2022 newsletter here.
By Public Impact, July 15, 2022
Julie Shields has been principal of Bearfield Primary School in Hertford County, North Carolina, since 2003. Just before Covid hit, her school began Opportunity Culture implementation to improve academic outcomes for students and enhance the caring atmosphere of the school.
By Public Impact, May 26, 2022
We send this newsletter today, which has much happy news, as planned because some educators are in their last week of school—but with heavy hearts in the aftermath of shootings in Uvalde, Buffalo, and beyond. Words are always inadequate in the face of these horrors, but we at Public Impact are holding all Opportunity Culture educators in our hearts as you carry the burden of continuing to help your students feel safe while absorbing this grief.
By Sharon Kebschull Barrett, May 12, 2022
Eleven school districts and a charter management organization in Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, and Arkansas are the latest to join the national Opportunity Culture initiative, led by Public Impact, which extends the reach of excellent teachers and their teams to more students, for more pay, within recurring budgets. Some sites also include yearlong, paid residencies for aspiring teachers, allowing them to learn on the job in a teaching team led by an excellent teacher. Fifty-five districts and charter school organizations in 10 states now use Opportunity Culture models in their schools, increasing student learning growth and access to small-group tutoring, and creating career paths for teachers and paraprofessionals that let them advance without having to leave the classroom.
By Public Impact, May 12, 2022
As districts seek innovations to bolster student academics and bring support and joy to students and teachers, the Opportunity Culture model continues to spread and produce results, even in another challenging pandemic year.
Each year, Public Impact analyzes Opportunity Culture data to improve its materials and its work with schools and districts. With the overarching goal of reaching all students with high-growth learning, Public Impact has expanded the Opportunity Culture initiative’s participating schools (including those committed to but not yet implementing Opportunity Culture designs) by 50 percent each year, on average—helping schools and districts make changes that educators love, with increased career opportunities and support.
May 12, 2022, CHAPEL Hill, N.C.—Eleven school districts and a charter management organization in Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, and Arkansas are the latest to join the national Opportunity Culture initiative, led by Public Impact, which extends the reach of excellent teachers and their teams to more students, for more pay, within recurring budgets. Some sites also include yearlong, paid residencies for aspiring teachers, allowing them to learn on the job in a teaching team led by an excellent teacher. Fifty-five districts and charter school organizations in 10 states now use Opportunity Culture models in their schools, increasing student learning growth and access to small-group tutoring, and creating career paths for teachers and paraprofessionals that let them advance without having to leave the classroom. Read the full press release…
By Public Impact, May 12, 2022
How are Opportunity Culture models—which bring excellent teaching to many more students, with sustainably higher pay for educators—helping Texas schools and students even in a time of pandemic stress and teacher shortages? And how can they help schools around the country strengthen their teacher pipelines as well?
By Public Impact, March 31, 2022
The March newsletter includes a spotlight focused on the partnership of a Guilford expanded-impact teacher & her teaching assistant, emphasizing the power of the TA doing small-group tutoring; resources; videos; and more. Read the March 2022 newsletter here.