Project TEAM (Teacher Empowerment & Advancement Model)

Over three years, the project will pilot the Opportunity Culture strategic staffing model in 14 schools in the School District of Philadelphia to improve teacher support and retention while accelerating instructional progress. 

Strategic staffing, as laid out in a recent report from Teach Plus PA and PA Needs Teachers, is an innovative, evidence-based approach to reimagining teaching roles in schools, shifting from one-size-fits-all staffing models to differentiated roles where highly effective educators take leadership over teams of teachers, providing additional support and coaching while earning substantially more. 

Opportunity Culture is a well-established and highly successful strategic staffing model developed by Public Impact. In the model, highly effective teacher leaders called Multi-Classroom Leaders lead small teams of educators, providing coaching and instructional support and taking responsibility for the outcomes of the entire team. The model has been found to lead to substantial student learning gains and high levels of teacher satisfaction. 

Public Impact will provide technical assistance in redesigning career ladders and school staffing models and support strong implementation of the Opportunity Culture model.

Teach Plus Pennsylvania, which brings deep experience in coaching and supporting teacher leaders to facilitate adult learning and effect systems change, will serve as the project manager and provide coaching to participating Multi-Classroom Leaders and principals.

The School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers will actively guide the design process, ensuring the model is implemented in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and with teacher voice at the center.

The project began with a planning year in the 2026-27 school year, with pilots launching in the 2027-28 school year. A more detailed timeline is below.