How can school leaders create conditions that support highly effective educator teams? At Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy in Tempe, Arizona, school leaders staff teams with educators from different backgrounds and work to ensure individual educators have "just right" roles and responsibilities. They hire lead teachers who are equipped to provide personalized coaching to team members and entrust teams with the autonomy to do what is best for students.
About Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy
Kyrene School District in Tempe, Arizona
~450 students in grades PK–8
Launched team-based models in 2019
How can team-based models provide increased support for educators? Members of this educator team at Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona, feel that they can "take on anything" thanks to their supportive team culture. They share leadership, distribute their expertise and work together to create an inclusive environment that supports the interests, strengths and needs of all students.
About Westwood High School
Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, Arizona
3,500 students in grades 9–12
Launched team-based models in 2018
Learn more: 5 tips for creating an inclusive secondary school learning model
How do team-based models impact educators’ sense of belonging and connection? At Stevenson Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona, being part of a team “lifts an immense weight off the shoulders of educators.” With the guidance of the lead teacher, members of the core and extended educator teams build on each other’s strengths and problem-solve collaboratively.
About Stevenson Elementary School
Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, Arizona
~720 students in grades PK6
Launched team-based models in 2020
Learn more: Literacy Accelerators, Dynamic student groupings at Stevenson Elementary (Kindergarten)