JMCSS Teacher Leadership Pathway

Quality instruction is the most influential factor in improving student achievement and growth. When afforded the opportunity, teachers learn best from one another. Therefore, forming and fostering a network of teacher leaders throughout Jackson-Madison County School System (JMCSS) is key to strengthening instruction and improving student achievement. Utilizing highly effective teachers will strengthen the quality of instruction by creating a culture of ownership and shared leadership and by providing readily accessible support for all teachers. The culture a teacher leader network creates will also allow JMCSS to attract and retain highly effective teachers from across the state.

Competencies & Beliefs

Jackson-Madison teacher leaders believe:

• all students can learn.
• that the effective use of data can lead to improved instructional practice.
• that teachers who engage in high-quality professional learning can positively impact student achievement.
• that a collaborative, respectful learning environment is essential.
• true leadership involves modeling lifelong learning, effective teaching strategies, and sound professional practices.

Jackson-Madison teacher leaders have the capacity to:

• demonstrate the ability to attain excellent student results in their classrooms.
• communicate effectively with students, teachers, and school- and district-level administrators to create a positive and trusting culture.
• analyze formative assessment data, communicate results to all stakeholders, and plan for future instruction and appropriate professional learning.
• engage, motivate, and inspire students and colleagues.
• monitor programs for success and make adjustments accordingly.

Roles & Responsibilities

Interventionist                                                 

• Schedules and guides student intervention                                                                 
• Helps with RTI² implementation and fidelity checks                            
• Provides progress monitoring to students                                  
• Consults with teachers to identify students needing intervention                
• Collaboratively plans with teachers and teacher leader
• Attends teacher leader trainings and coaching institutes       
• Models best practices

Teacher Support Coach       

• Provides professional learning support  
• Assists school administrators with evaluations and observations     
• Guides and provides support to learning coaches at each assigned building

Learning Coach

• Mentors new/struggling teachers
• Provides peer coaching
• Models best practices
• Attends teacher leader trainings and coaching institutes
• Facilitates new teacher orientation

Data Coach                                 

• Compiles data to inform instruction
• Meets with teachers to review data and make recommendations for future practice                                 
• Assists with organization and implementation of the standardized testing program                     
• Helps with RTI² data collection

Teacher Leader                                                                                                           

• Attends teacher leader trainings and coaching institutes       
• Collaboratively plans with teachers
• Models best practices

Cost & Sustainability

Title I & II funds currently provide the bulk of funding for the JMCSS Teacher Leadership Pathway. As the process progresses, the goal is to move the program to general purpose funds to ensure it becomes a part of district culture and an approach that the district firmly stands behind for sustainability. Teacher Support Coach roles receive current salary with a 1.07 index addition; numbers below are estimates.       

Sustainability Strategies

• Move program funding to general purpose funds.
• Utilize human capital already in schools.