Videos: Educator Voices

Tips to Grow On: Leadership and Team Support

What tips do educators at Aycock Elementary in Vance County, N.C., have for maintaining Opportunity Culture® staffing models—so both students and teachers can thrive? Provide Strong Leadership Support and Trust the Power of Multi-Classroom Leader® Teams.

Tips to Grow On: Embrace Flexibility and Redesign

What tips do educators at Aycock Elementary in Vance County, N.C., have for maintaining Opportunity Culture® staffing models—so both students and teachers can thrive? Continually Analyze Learning Data, Then Take Action and Meet Students’ Needs with Annual Data-Based Redesign.

Tips to Grow On: Talk It Up!

What tips do educators at Aycock Elementary in Vance County, N.C., have for maintaining Opportunity Culture® staffing models—so both students and teachers can thrive? Continually Communicate the Roles and Share Your School’s Story.

Janie Martin on Being a Reach Associate

Janie Martin, a reach associate (RA) at Petree Elementary School in Winston-Salem, N.C. describes why she likes her Opportunity Culture role.

Sydney Garcia on Being a Multi-Classroom Leader®

Sydney Garcia, a multi-classroom leader at Pease Elementary in Ector County ISD, says the MCL role is “the best of both worlds” allowing her to take on a leadership role while still being in the classroom.

Audriana Munoz on Being a Teacher Resident

Audriana Munoz, a teacher resident at Pease Elementary in Ector County ISD, describes how her yearlong paid residency, working under the guidance of a multi-classroom leader, prepared her to enter the teaching profession already feeling like “a second-year teacher.”

NC Superintendents of the Year on Their Opportunity Culture® Districts

Dr. Valerie Bridges and Dr. Anthony Jackson, 2022 and 2020 recipients of the A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year award, describe how the Opportunity Culture initiative has improved student outcomes and increased teacher retention in their districts.

From Reach Associate to Classroom Teacher


Delmonika Vick, a math teacher at North Edgecombe High School in Tarboro, NC, says being a reach associate for two years—a role she loved—prepared her to be a stronger teacher.