Charleston County School District Transformation Schools
Since 2020, Charleston County School District (CCSD) has partnered with Leading Educators to strengthen teaching and student outcomes in turnaround schools. Starting in the fourth year, CCSD expanded the partnership to include seven additional schools—Transformation Schools—and district-wide support through the Teaching and Learning Department.
Education Recovery ScorecardBolstering Instruction in Transformation Schools
Leading Educators is supporting Charleston County School District to provide ongoing, job-embedded professional learning in the district’s Transformation Schools to strengthen access to excellent instruction.
Additionally, the district is building the capacity of instructional leaders to provide targeted support to improve coaching district-wide, monitor programs, and guide continuous improvement toward a shared vision for excellence.
About the Partnership
The Challenge & Opportunity
The strategy for professional learning at the Acceleration Schools has evolved over time.
Seeing gains in Acceleration Schools, CCSD established Transformation Schools and engaged Leading Educators to support school leaders in identifying needs and improving school conditions. In 2023-24, we introduced direct teacher learning, leadership coaching, and professional learning sessions to strengthen ELA curriculum implementation and K-5 math instruction.
Recognizing the impact of this work, CCSD further expanded the partnership to the Teaching and Learning Department, engaging 35 district instructional leaders who support schools across all subjects. Together, we are establishing a district-wide vision for coaching, delivering targeted workshops, and providing one-on-one coaching to instructional leaders—to ensure that high-quality teaching and learning reach every school.
Impact Transformation Schools
Leading Educators is supporting Transformation Schools to improve K-5 Math and ELA instruction by deepening teacher expertise and student engagement.
ELA: Teachers and coaches are receiving targeted support to implement the newly adopted CKLA curriculum with fidelity, ensuring all students can access grade-level content.
By Spring 2025, 100% of classrooms were fully using the curriculum, and 100% of students were engaging with grade-level work—laying a strong foundation for literacy success. From Fall to Spring, the K-2 Skills Strand from CLKA went up from 67% to 85% of teachers demonstrating in classrooms. In the 3-5th classroom, all CKLA implementation data showed improvement; student ownership went from 53% to 85% of classrooms, and high-quality questions and tasks were from 35% to 80%.
Math: This year, the district’s focus is on instructional shifts that promote conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application. Teachers are using standards-based planning, and by Spring 2025, 100% of classrooms were engaging with grade-level content. Most teachers demonstrate at least two aspects of rigor in instruction, strengthening students’ problem-solving skills. From Fall to Spring in math classrooms, teachers increased from 53% to 76% in demonstrating advanced planning and from 37% to 73% of classrooms using the aligned aspect of rigor.
Read a Recent FeatureBehind the Change
Over four years, Leading Educators has helped Acceleration Schools design and implement ongoing professional learning and coaching for teachers tied to high-quality instructional materials.
As these schools implement vetted, common curricula, school-based leaders and instructional coaches participate in intensive learning, data reflection, and lesson practice that they can turnkey at their schools for other teachers in weekly sessions.
Simultaneously, Leading Educators designers and facilitators work alongside Acceleration School Leaders to set learning objectives, bolster design capacity, and monitor the set of supports that participating schools receive. All ELA and math teachers in Acceleration Schools participate in shared learning once per quarter alongside principals, assistant principals, coaches, and PLC leaders to strengthen content knowledge and instructional skill.
Partnership By The Numbers
3,546 students enrolled
in Transformation Schools
200+ teachers
supported with ongoing professional learning in ELA and math
40 district leaders
receive 15 hrs. of workshops and coaching around instructional effectiveness in math, ELA, and science
16 instructional coaches
receive 12 hrs. of workshops, regular coaching with LE coaches and learning walk participation
3,546 students enrolled
in Transformation Schools
200+ teachers
supported with ongoing professional learning in ELA and math
40 district leaders
receive 15 hrs. of workshops and coaching around instructional effectiveness in math, ELA, and science
16 instructional coaches
receive 12 hrs. of workshops, regular coaching with LE coaches and learning walk participation
Meet the Charleston Team
Michael Freeland
Alisha Watts Burr
Reanna Patterson
Ikecia Sigh
Andrea "Fitz" Fitzgerald
Rashay Foster
Rebecca Dill
Kenneth Jeffers
Tameka Ellzey
About Michael Freeland
Over the past six years at Leading Educators, Michael has worn many hats—Senior Director of Networks, Program Director, and Instructional Leadership Coach—while spearheading the organization’s expansion across regions. He has built and deepened partnerships with major districts and state networks, aligned cross-functional teams to ambitious goals, and supported large-scale curriculum adoptions in math and literacy. Under his leadership, the Charleston County School District partnership achieved the highest math and ELA growth among the nation’s largest districts—a testament to his ability to scale impact while maintaining a sharp focus on results for students.
Michael holds an M.S. in Education (Learning Design & Technology) from Purdue University and a B.B.A. in Marketing from Morehouse College, where he graduated Cum Laude. Beyond his role at Leading Educators, he serves as Board Chair for DeKalb Brilliance Academy and has organized HBCU college tours to expand opportunities for students in his community.
When he’s not working, you’ll find him enjoying family time and pouring into the next generation. Michael is guided by a simple but powerful belief: every student deserves the opportunity to make choices about their future.
About Alisha Watts Burr
Most recently, as Senior Director of Networks on the Charleston team, Alisha played a key role in deepening educator and district leader practice and improving student outcomes in Charleston County School District. Her nine-year tenure at LE has also included leading math professional learning as a Director of Content for our partnership with Tulsa Public Schools (Empower) and supporting school and district leaders as an Instructional Leadership Coach with our partnership with District of Columbia Public Schools (LEAP).
Before joining LE, Alisha gained valuable experience as a special education teacher, math teacher, and academic dean at high-performing charter schools in Washington, D.C. Alisha holds an A.B. in Psychology from Princeton University and an M.A. in Social Psychology from the University of Arizona. She resides in Maryland with her husband and two sons, finding joy in cooking, traveling (especially to a beach), and spending time with family.
Alisha Watts Burr in the news
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Charleston: Getting Results from Coherence
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Bright Spots: Charleston County School District
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Bright Spots: CCSD Acceleration Schools improve
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Make Professional Learning Time Matter
About Reanna Patterson
Before joining Leading Educators, Reanna partnered with districts across the country to implement strong ELA practices. She was a contributing author of the EL Education K-2 curriculum and taught in schools in several different states.
Reanna holds an M.A. from Columbia Teachers College. She currently lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, daughter, and dog and enjoys spending time at festivals and fairs as often as possible.
About Ikecia Sigh
Before joining Leading Educators, Ikecia served as Director of Math for Compass Community Schools in Memphis, TN. She also served as a professional development advisor for Shelby County Schools as well as a classroom teacher for Shelby County Schools in Memphis, TN..
Ikecia holds a Bachelor’s in Middle Grades Education: Math and Science from UT Chattanooga, a Masters’ in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix, and a leadership endorsement from Christian Brothers University. She lives in Huntsville, AL where she enjoys experiencing life with her husband, provides mentorship to high school senior girls through the AUM Foundation, and going for rides on her Peloton.
About Andrea "Fitz" Fitzgerald
As the author of The Rookie’s Playbook for New Teachers and founder of Mental Fitzness, she brings a dynamic, motivational style to her work, equipping educators with the mindsets, systems, and strategies needed to succeed from day one. A proud product of Memphis-Shelby County Schools and an alum of Carson Newman College, Fitz draws on her background as a former athlete and NBA staff member to infuse her training with energy, teamwork, and a relentless focus on results.
About Rashay Foster
Before joining Leading Educators, Rashay supported the creation and implementation of a statewide coaching model strategy for the state of Kentucky, coached and supported facilitation for instructional coaches in St. Louis around high-quality instructional materials, supported facilitation around Learning Acceleration for district leaders in Iowa, and created a strategy around supporting black educators who are a part of the Black Educator Excellence Cohort during her time at TNTP. She has also supported the teacher preparation program through both a coaching lens and through a recruitment and retention lens. Before joining the education consultant world, she was a founding Kindergarten teacher at KIPP Indy Unite. She founded a new grade for five consecutive years and looped up with her students.
Rashay has a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University and an MA in Teaching from Marian University. She also completed Marian University’s Building Level Administrator program. In her free time, Rashay enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, planning themed events, going to concerts and movies, cheering on THE Buckeyes, and bringing the sunshine with her wherever she goes.
About Rebecca Dill
Over 6.5 years at Leading Educators, Rebecca has served as Executive Assistant to the leadership team, Program Manager, and now Associate Director. SAs Program Manager and now Associate Director, Rebecca has strengthened organizational operations by implementing systems that ensured 100% on-time delivery of workshop materials and deadlines across multiple streams of work. She has led logistics for events serving up to 250 participants, consistently achieving over 90% satisfaction ratings, with several workshops earning 100% effectiveness scores. Beyond logistics, she has expanded design support through video editing, graphic design, and resource development, contributing to 100% usage of coaching templates in partner sessions. She strengthened team coordination and accountability by introducing tools like Asana to streamline workflows, while also advancing data capabilities through automated dashboards that enabled real-time analysis and visualization.
Before joining Leading Educators, Rebecca worked at The Chicago Community Trust, Active Transportation Alliance, and Bluestem Communications, where she managed environmental education programs and supported business development initiatives.
Rebecca holds a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from The College of William and Mary.
About Kenneth Jeffers
Kenneth is a New York City native, proud Morehouse College alumnus, and also completed his Master’s degree in Sports Product Management at the University of Oregon in 2018. He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys reading, health & fitness, traveling, & trying new restaurants.
Kenneth is very excited to pivot into the education field, and has always been a huge supporter of transformative education. He is looking forward to creating engaging & enriching learning experiences for students. Joining Leading Educators perfectly aligns with his passion for uplifting the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders.
About Tameka Ellzey
Before joining Leading Educators, Tameka served as a district Professional Learning Coach/Advisor and Instructional Support Advisor at Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS). Throughout her 15+ year career in education, Tameka has served in multiple capacities within MSCS as an educator, master teacher, new teacher mentor/coach, Professional Learning Community (PLC) Coach, district Professional Learning Coach/Advisor - literacy (6-12), 9th Grade Academy Principal, assistant principal, and district Instructional Support Advisor – literacy (K-12) supporting both traditional and alternative schools in her hometown Memphis, TN. As a district Advisor, she served as an ELA content expert and provided K-12 literacy instructional coaching support, curriculum implementation, and professional learning to district leaders, school leaders, teacher leaders, and teachers improving literacy outcomes for K-12 scholars.
Tameka holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Memphis and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University with an endorsement in Administrator Prek-12. Tameka lives in Cordova, TN with her husband and children. She loves traveling, making memories with loved ones, and encouraging others to live life to the fullest.
Learn About More Partnerships
Charleston is just one of dozens of partnerships across the country that are pushing the boundaries of what school can offer students. Learn more about how we customize our supports to meet the needs and strengths of visionary districts.
