Barriers to Bridges: Teacher Perspectives on Accelerating Learning, Leadership, and Innovation in the Pandemic

Barriers to Bridges: Teacher Perspectives on Accelerating Learning, Leadership, and Innovation in the Pandemic

Cover of Barrier to bridges report

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced school closures for millions of students across the country, teachers have shown that they are so much more than deliverers of content.

They build trusted relationships with students and families. They identify what inspires each student, leveraging the science of learning to invest in the whole child. They identify what works, and lead transformation in their schools, districts, and states. They leverage technology, creative student groupings, and blended learning to personalize instruction to maximize the potential of each individual learner. They are lowering barriers and building and strengthening bridges to students, families, and one another.


“Barriers to Bridges: Teacher Perspectives on Accelerating Learning, Leadership,and Innovation in the Pandemic” examines the frontline experiences of educators during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides recommendations for education leaders and policymakers based on teachers’ guidance and input. The report is based on the feedback from 532 teachers in 152 virtual focus groups held across 25 states.

Read the report

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Teach Plus teacher leaders on their experiences and solutions in the pandemic.

We must close the digital divide for Mississippi’s students
By Alexandra Melnick, Teach Plus Mississippi Policy Fellow

What If We Radically Reimagined the New School Year?
By Ashley McCall, Teach Plus Board Member and Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship alumna

Empowering Our Students During COVID-19
By Travon Jefferson, Teach Plus Texas Senior Policy Fellow

Now is the time for our leaders to invest in education
By Kenny Belknap, Teach Plus Nevada Senior Policy Fellow