At Jackson Public Schools in Mississippi, Deputy Superintendent Michael Cormack brought big changes to student outcomes—no surprise after his leadership of the Barksdale Reading Institute, which sparked the state’s stunning literacy turnaround. Under Cormack, Jackson’s state accountability rating went from an F to a C, and he kicked off an initiative to boost the percentage of third graders who passed the state assessment on the first try from 55 to 75%.
Public Impact
Breaking Through on Teacher Support: Pennsylvania, Mississippi Groups Call for State Action on Staffing Redesign
What would it take for states to listen to educators and support the talented people they already have in their schools? In Pennsylvania and Mississippi, two nonprofits recently sang the same tune: Support teachers and students through proven staffing redesign. Teach Plus PA and Mississippi First have issued calls to action by their states and districts that set an example for the nation.
Like them, we believe in the talented teachers schools already have, and in the power of staffing redesign to dramatically improve school for both students and teachers.
But in both states—and throughout the country—details matter deeply. States should not provide funding for a “let all flowers bloom” approach. Students and teachers need staffing design with a track record of success, state monitoring of design fidelity, and continuous improvement using data to maintain strong outcomes.
Scaling the Transformation of the Traditional Teaching Model
From The Future of Education podcast with Michael B. Horn, March 2, 2026
Bryan Hassel and Ashley Williams from Public Impact joined me to discuss the Opportunity Culture model, which is transforming the traditional “one teacher, one classroom” approach. We explored how this model extends the reach of excellent teachers through leadership roles, shared practical lessons from scaling the model, discussed challenges like overcoming ingrained mindsets and transition costs, and looked ahead at how technology, policy changes, and innovative staffing can make these transformations more accessible and sustainable for schools everywhere.
“A Great Solution”: Opportunity Culture® Design on Future of Education Podcast
“Asking teachers to be superheroes and be all things to all students is an insane job description,” writes Michael Horn. After having Bryan Hassel and Ashley Williams of Public Impact on his Future of Education podcast to talk about Opportunity Culture® staffing design, Horn wrote, “The work Bryan and Ashley are doing speaks to a great solution—that also makes the job of teaching more motivating and viable.”
In Scaling the Transformation of the Traditional Teaching Model, Hassel and Williams discuss the power of teaching teams. In a LinkedIn post, Horn said the conversation left him with several takeaways, including that:
Using Title I and II Funds to Support School Design that Boosts Student Learning
The U.S. Department of Education recently released guidance encouraging states and school systems to use Title II and Title I funding (“Title funding”) to redesign schools for stronger learning and educator satisfaction using “strategic staffing.”
Opportunity Culture® school designs are proven, evidence-based staffing designs that boost student learning by 2–13 months each school year—while increasing teacher satisfaction and reducing vacancies and turnover. Educators earn more long-term—within recurring budgets.
These staffing designs, created with teachers, have been rigorously researched and meticulously improved over nearly 15 years, using data about features that work best for students and educators. Dozens of options for small teaching teams led by excellent teachers offer schools design flexibility within data-based guardrails—to maximize learning while adjusting details to fit each school’s needs. Teams may include teacher residencies and apprenticeships as well as specialized roles, such as a special education team leader.
One Chatham: Literacy growth fueled by focus and a little fire
From EdNC, by Amy Rhyne, February 23, 2026
[Note: Chatham County Schools uses Opportunity Culture® staffing design]
In education, perception can sometimes move faster than facts. Opinions are formed without ever stepping inside the school building. A single letter, spoken loudly enough, can become shorthand for quality and shape a school’s reputation, influencing enrollment decisions and community trust. For two schools in Chatham County Schools, a “D” letter grade did just that. Although dismissed by reputation alone, a different story was unfolding inside the classrooms — one built on alignment, leadership, and intentional instructional change
The shift did not begin with a slogan or public campaign. It began with committed leaders and staff.
A Rural “Force Multiplier”—Opportunity Culture® Design: Superintendent Anthony Jackson
Chatham County Superintendent Anthony Jackson, named as the 2020 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year while serving as superintendent of Vance County Schools, says districts—especially rural systems—can do far more if they focus investments on the capacity of their staff. A self-proclaimed “disciple” of the Opportunity Culture® initiative, he has led both districts to take calculated risks leading to strong learning outcomes for students.
From plan to practice: How Nash County Schools is aligning time, materials, and people to strengthen early literacy
From EdNC, Amy Rhyne, February 16, 2026
[Note: Nash County Schools uses Opportunity Culture® staffing design]
When state law required every North Carolina school district to submit an annual Literacy Intervention Plan (LIP) by Oct. 1, the mandate was clear. What has been less clear until recently is what strong implementation actually looks like once the paperwork is submitted.
That question came into focus during a recent report to the North Carolina State Board of Education, where one district’s work was spotlighted as having moved well beyond compliance.
WCS reports successes as system continues work to improve education
From The Warren Record, By Luci Weldon Feb 11, 2026
The superintendent said that Warren County Schools is continuing a number of measures to improve local education. To increase teacher recruitment and retention, the school system is participating in the Opportunity Culture® Grant, which allows teachers to mentor and coach other teachers while continuing their student instruction roles. Another program is designed to help other school system employees who would like to become teacher.
“Teachers Are Screaming for This Level of Support”: Charlotte Superintendent Crystal Hill
For Charlotte-Mecklenburg Superintendent Crystal Hill, leading 185 schools and 141,000 students, success means providing deep support for a staff that now sees 60 percent of its teachers coming from a non-traditional background. The district, a pioneer in piloting Opportunity Culture® team teaching models and in quickly scaling up to many more schools, posted dramatic learning growth results in 2024–24. What has it taken to get there, and how will the district try to sustain those results? Dr. Hill shares her thoughts with host Sharon Kebschull Barrett and Public Impact® Co-President Bryan Hassel.