Cincinnati Public Schools
Cincinnati Public Schools is partnering with Leading Educators to improve students’ access to challenging and affirming instruction through best-in-class, ongoing professional development for more than 2155 educators.
About the Partnership
Cincinnati Public School (CPS) is dedicated to educating more than 36,000 students with unwavering rigor and care, fostering a culture of excellence. CPS’s vision extends beyond the classroom – intending to develop engaged citizens who are prepared for life, ready to lead in their communities and influence the world.
By creating meaningful learning experiences and fostering student-centered decision-making, we’re helping prepare students for academic success and leadership roles in their communities and on the global stage.”
However, CPS recognizes several challenges in that path. The Ohio School Report Card identifies persistent opportunity gaps similar to those faced by many communities nationwide.
The Solution
Amid pandemic recovery, CPS and Leading Educators are partnering to provide ongoing professional learning for CPS teachers to deepen their content knowledge in math and ELA.
Until now, CPS has led teacher professional development internally and sees the need for external, research-backed capacity building so the district can continue to offer high-quality professional learning in the future without the help of an outside partner.
Read a Related StoryLeading Educators is co-designing and delivering five days of in-depth professional learning in math and ELA for 2155 teachers throughout the year. It focuses on the math and ELA standards, instructional shifts, and aligned research-based classroom practices.
We are designing and delivering ten three-hour learning experiences for Curriculum and Instruction leaders (C&I team) to build their capacity to accelerate instructional improvement, engage school leaders, and support progress at schools.
Leading Educators also provides nine three-hour learning experiences for C&I leaders focused on supporting and developing coaching to ensure that learning from PD days transfers into practice in classrooms across the district.
We are coaching “early adopter” teachers at 31 schools who will engage in mini-cycles of coaching up to six times a year. These touchpoints offer extended learning from district-wide PL sessions with planning and rehearsing of a lesson. Later, they encompass lesson observation, coaching, and debriefing at the school site.
Partnership By The Numbers
At a systemic scale, we’re helping educators strengthen teaching and learning across Cincinnati Public Schools.
2155 teachers
participating in math and ELA professional learning focused on standards, instructional shifts, and research-based classroom practices.
36,000 students
supported to reach their full potential with grade-appropriate lessons connected to the real world.
27 hours
of content-specific professional learning available to teachers throughout the year.
100% of teachers
said that their coach helps them identify clear, measurable, and student-focused next steps to work on at mid-year.
CPS will foster systems that support educators to support one another through collaboration and feedback to strengthen implementation fidelity."
About Breonne LaSalle
Before joining Leading Educators, Breonne was a Director of a New Teacher Coaches program, leading a team of instructional coaches to provide ongoing coaching and support to first-year teachers with KIPP Texas. She worked in school transformation, supporting instructional leaders of underperforming schools to bring about sustainable change and increase student outcomes in Louisiana.
Breonne holds a Masters degree in Education from Xavier University of Louisiana. Being a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, she lives by the Motto “Let the Good Times Roll.” Outside of education, Breonne loves spending time with her family, friends and traveling internationally.
About Chae D’Ann Ray
Before joining Leading Educators, Chae served as a teacher, instructional coach, and Assistant Principal in Houston and Austin, TX. Chae is a National Board Certified Teacher and a 2019 Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award winner. Most recently she served as a Director of ELA Curriculum and Achievement, serving teachers and leaders in improving literacy outcomes for K-12 students at a high-performing charter network.
Chae holds an M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership from Sam Houston State University and a B.A. in English from University of Houston. Chae lives outside of Houston, TX with her husband and daughter. She loves making memories with her family, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
About Ana Luis
Ana began her teaching career working in state prisons in Michigan providing GED instruction to those incarcerated. She then shifted to teaching in youth detention centers and teaching GED classes at community centers in Lansing. Ana moved to Indianapolis in 2010 and taught traditional middle and high school math for a few years before becoming the lead teacher and instructional coach at the Excel Center; a high school diploma program for students who had previously discontinued high school and are returning to earn their diplomas.
Ana has also served as a program coordinator in the Indianapolis community focusing on building more equitable education systems for families experiencing homelessness. She is currently a PhD candidate in Indiana University's Urban Education Studies program. Her research focus is investigating how systemic racism impacts math education, the construction of learner identities in math classrooms, and high school attrition. In my free time, Ana loves to paint, podcast, cook, spend time with friends and family, play with her 3-year-old son, and travel to Lake Michigan as often as possible.
About Patricia Thibodeaux
Patricia is a strong advocate for teacher wellness and development. She loves establishing and fostering strong relationships with collaborators and stakeholders. She believes that having safe and trusting relationships is key in promoting the optimal environment for academic improvement and success.
Patricia has been able to diversify her knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and facilitation to fit the needs of and reach all learners. She received her BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston.
About Kristina Rubio
Previously, Kristina served the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles on behalf of the American Cancer Society via Relay for Life events where she empowered volunteers to engage with their communities to continue the fight against cancer. Additionally, she led the planning and execution of special events for the Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Kristina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Tennessee and a Masters of Education in College Student Personnel Administration from James Madison University. She currently resides in Los Angeles where she can typically be found working on her yoga practice, trying to find the best breakfast burrito around, and planning which part of the world to explore next.
About Tammy Manning
Before joining Leading Educators, Tammy Manning held many leadership positions. She served as an instructional coach, assistant principal, and instructional advisor, in KIPP Public Schools, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools District.
Tammy holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tennessee State University, a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (Pre-k-6) from Freed-Hardeman University, and an ED. S in Educational Leadership (Pre-k-12 Administrative License) from Arkansas State University. She lives in Memphis, Tn., and spends her time raising her two children, reading, and traveling.
About Jenny Jones
Before joining Leading Educators, Jenny worked for the Dallas Independent School District for 18 years. In her last position before her departure from DISD, she worked in School Leadership where she served in the capacity as an Instructional Lead Coach. In her roles with DISD, she represented the district’s instructional philosophy.
Jenny holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Prairie View A&M University and an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University- Commerce. She lives in the Dallas Metroplex area. Jenny spends her free time with family and friends, shopping for eclectic decor and vintage jewelry, decorating, reading, and listening to music.
I lead because seeing others succeed is what drives me!
About Brittany Larkin
Before joining Leading Educators, Brittany served as a New Teacher Coach with KIPP Texas-Houston, collaborating with a variety of stakeholders to support and champion first year teachers through co-planning, modeling, real-time coaching and facilitating professional development. Brittany was initiated into the world of education as a middle school English teacher at a charter school in New Orleans before being bitten by the leadership bug and desiring opportunities to impact students beyond the four walls of her own classroom.
Brittany holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Howard University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. A native of New Orleans, she currently resides in Houston, Texas with her husband and three children, including their newest addition—a 4-month-old baby girl. Brittany likes to spend her free time traveling the world, trying new recipes, and enjoying precious moments with her family.
Meet Our Partners
Cincinnati Public Schools is just one of a dozen partnerships across the country that are pushing the boundaries of what schools can offer students. Learn more about how we customize our supports to meet the needs and strengths of visionary districts.