This school year, an innovative and inspiring initiative was launched to highlight and celebrate the very best in FSD instructional practices. The ultimate goal is to extend and replicate those practices as widely as possible for the benefit of student learning. Dr. Summer Carlton and Dr. Gina Looney developed the concept of model classroom teachers tailored specifically to the FSD and continue to implement and enhance it.

The idea for model classroom teachers came about based on the desire of the FSD Department of Teaching and Learning to seek educators who are willing to offer their expertise to other teachers and staff and the district as a whole for recognition. The focus is identifying and growing teacher leaders through collaboration and continuous learning. Model classroom teachers assist others in developing skills by facilitating professional learning (PL), demonstrating exemplary teaching, and acting as teacher leaders on their campuses. 

Current FSD model classroom teachers:

• Serve as a model classroom teacher for the entire 2024-2025 year;
• Have been/will be publicly recognized on social media and meetings;
• Actively participate with the model teacher cohort through scheduled meetings;
• Display leadership skills at the campus level;
• Skillfully implement district resources and adopted materials;
• Have exemplary classroom management and student engagement;
• Occasionally, provide PL on district PL days, after school, or in summer, with appropriate compensation;
• Share expertise through demonstrations and videos (as needed);
• Attended one day of summer training on July 24 or 25, 2024;
• Are willing to have classroom visits with 24-hour notice

Qualifications for model classroom teachers:

• By July 2024, they must have demonstrated two years of successful teaching in FSD, as demonstrated through TEAM evaluation results and other data.
• Complete the model classroom teacher application.
• Receive a letter of recommendation from one building administrator.
• Were observed teaching a lesson in May 2024.

As part of the application process, prospective model teachers were asked to respond in writing to the following questions:

1. Why are you interested in becoming a model classroom teacher?
2. Provide one or more examples of how you have had an impact in a school.
3. Tell us one or more examples of times colleagues have asked you for advice or times you have shared your expertise.

They were also asked to reply to either questions #4 or #5:

• Provide an example of a colleague you have “taken under your wing” and describe how you supported him or her professionally.
• In what professional growth experiences have you been involved, and in what ways have you applied these experiences to your professional practice?

Our 12 model classroom teachers share their expertise, reinforce the impact of instructional coaching, and encourage effective, results-oriented collaboration and learning-focused cultures. They are powerful exemplars of what it means to be a lifelong learner, and we eagerly look forward to analyzing data to ascertain their positive impact on student achievement.