By Philip Steffes; first published by EducationNC, December 5, 2019
How can kids learn when they’re not in the classroom? That’s the issue I confronted when I arrived at Albemarle Road Elementary in Charlotte four years ago. Despite teachers who truly cared about their students, we had far too many suspensions. And students were struggling. When I first came here, 95% of our teachers had been in the red — not meeting student growth targets — in literacy for multiple years.
north carolina
Vance County Schools’ Jackson Named N.C. Superintendent of the Year
By Margaret High, November 22, 2019
Congratulations to Vance County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson, named the 2020 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year! Jackson, who has led Vance County Schools since 2015, brought Opportunity Culture to the district in 2016–17.
“Dr. Tony Jackson has developed a culture of innovation and excellence at Vance County Schools,” Jack Hoke, executive director of the North Carolina School Superintendent’s Association, said at the awards ceremony Tuesday night.
Three Guilford County Educators Recognized by National Organization as Leaders in their Schools
From Guilford County Schools, June 11, 2019
One principal and two teachers were recognized for their outstanding leadership in the Opportunity Culture program by being inducted into the fifth class of Public Impact’s Opportunity Culture Fellows. Public Impact’s goal is to improve education for all students by finding, developing, and expanding the impact of outstanding educators.
Vance County Schools Staff Named Opportunity Culture® Fellows
From The Daily Dispatch, June 8, 2019, by Miles Bates
Cherie Dixon from L.B. Yancey Elementary School, Casey Jackson from Aycock Elementary School and Aycock Principal Kristen Boyd are among the fifth cohort of “Opportunity Culture Fellows” recognized by a group called Public Impact. This article is no longer available online.
Educators Receive Fellowship
From Rocky Mount Telegram, June 5, 2019, by Amelia Harper
Two teachers and one principal from Edgecombe County Public Schools have been selected to become Opportunity Culture Fellows for the coming year. Casandra Cherry, a multi-classroom leader at Phillips Middle School; Amy Pearce, a multi-classroom leader at North Edgecombe High School, and Jenny O’Meara, principal of Phillips Middle School, have been selected for this honor.
First Look: Remotely Located Teacher Leadership
From EdNC, May 8, 2019, by Sharon Kebschull Barrett
This semester, the College Board and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) joined with Public Impact’s Opportunity Culture initiative to test the remotely located Multi-Classroom Leadership model: An excellent NCSSM teacher would lead a small team of teachers spread across rural North Carolina districts, which often lack enough teachers who are prepared to ensure student success in advanced classes.
Opportunity Culture® News: New Opportunity Culture® Site, Multi-Classroom Leaders Share Impact
By Sharon Kebschull Barrett, April 8, 2019
Opportunity Culture schools and educators continue to attract attention…check out these posts from new sites, multi-classroom leader columns, and an exciting award for a multi-classroom leader. Read more…
Teacher Awarded $175,000 Grant
From Rocky Mount Telegram, March 12, 2019, by Amelia Harper
One Phillips Middle School teacher received the surprise of a lifetime Monday when she was told she had just won a $175,000 grant for herself, her school and for Edgecombe County Public Schools. Casandra Cherry is in her second year as the math multi-classroom leader at the school. She previously taught math at South Edgecombe Middle School for eight years
Coker-Wimberly: Setting Kindergarteners Up for Success Starts Day One
From EducationNC, February 6, 2019, by Liz Bell
When children come to the first day of kindergarten, they come with a variety of needs, personalities, abilities, and backgrounds. The most important thing in those first few weeks is building a routine, said Annette Kent, a kindergarten teacher at Coker-Wimberly Elementary School in Edgecombe County.
Three More N.C. Districts to Launch Opportunity Culture® with New State Funding
By Sharon Kebschull Barrett, Jan 31, 2019
In the latest round of funding for the state’s Advanced Teaching Roles pilot, the North Carolina State Board of Education awarded grants to three districts that will implement Opportunity Culture roles—Halifax County and Hertford County in eastern North Carolina and Lexington City Schools in Davidson County. Read More…