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Host Sonja Grant talks to a principal, teacher, and scholars from Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4, in South L.A./Watts, to learn how the Reimagining the Alliance Educator pilot program is contributing to greater sustainability for teachers, and how in just the first year of piloting the program, we're already seeing better outcomes for our scholars.

Through the pilot program, Middle 4 implemented a 4+1 model, where teachers have one full day of structured planning time, as well as 2 or 3 separate planning blocks with clear deliverables, each week. In total, all teachers have roughly 11 hours of weekly planning time. To support the school’s goals of continuing to grow math outcomes, Middle 4 also launched an expanded math intervention program.

This pilot program is about so much more than scholars getting an A or B on their report card. It's about preventing teacher burnout and giving them the time to do their job from a more refreshed position. Knowing that in the wake of the pandemic, there's been an increased need in our most vulnerable populations, the additional planning and collaboration time is helping teachers to be more effective in the classroom. Reimagining the Alliance Educator is making a real difference in the well-being of teachers AND scholars!

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In this episode we talk to the staff and scholars at Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School, the first high school to join the Reimagining the Alliance Educator pilot program. Starting in the school year 2024-25, Mohan will give their teachers not just one, but two planning periods daily, increasing planning time to 11 hours weekly.

To make this redesigned schedule work, the school has to be intentional in every step, including hiring more teachers to make the shift work and to offset the balance in class size. They’re also expanding on-campus dual enrollment, giving their scholars the incredible opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school.

As Principal Andrew King raves about the program, "It's going to give teachers the time to plan during the workday, and not feel compelled to have to sacrifice their loved ones, their time with their children, and their friends at home." He's also excited that, "we have the time to design more engaging classroom conversations and collaboration opportunities."

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