Illustrated learning space with teams of teachers

Better outcomes for students.
Better experiences for educators.

Next Education Workforce strategic school staffing models empower educators to work in teams to deliver better outcomes and experiences.

Teams make the job of teaching more sustainable and effective

Educators are burned out, unsatisfied and are leaving the profession. Fewer people are choosing to become teachers, leading to staffing shortages in U.S. schools. But, when schools are staffed by educator teams, teachers — and their students — thrive.

With support from ASU, schools across the country are launching successful team-based staffing models

Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation works with schools to design and implement strategic school staffing models that help address root causes of low and inequitable student outcomes, teacher shortages and burnout.

Team-based staffing models are better for students and educators

Early research shows promising results: lower turnover rates and more support for educators; and academic growth and greater levels of engagement for students. Learn how these models are improving outcomes and experiences for both students and educators.

We are all hard-wired as people to work together and yet, we ask our teachers to collaborate outside of the classroom absent of the children they’re serving. The model must change. A remedy exists in the Next Education Workforce, which is changing the design of how teachers work and how they’re supported. It could not have come at a more critical time.

Superintendent

By the numbers


43

School systems


143

Schools


375

Educator teams


27000

Learners

*2024-25

News and insights

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How the 2026 Strategic School Staffing Summit reflects a turning point in the field

The seventh annual Strategic School Staffing Summit, hosted by Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce™ initiative, took place Feb. 4–5, 2026, and featured more than 30 virtual sessions on how schools, systems and states are building and sustaining team-based staffing models, reflecting a field gaining traction and moving toward scale.

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‘A night-and-day difference:’ Educators share how teaming has changed their schools for the better

Four educators from across the country shared how teaming shapes their day-to-day work in a session entitled “A Conversation With Educators Working in Next Education Workforce Models” during the 2026 Strategic School Staffing Summit.

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Strategic staffing gets a federal nod

Recent federal guidance, via a new letter from the U.S. Department of Education, creates new opportunities to use Title II funds to support redesigned educator roles and team-based instructional models.

Resources

Illustration of a Next Education Workforce model on a maroon background
Resource

Elements of the Next Education Workforce

There is no one-size-fits-all Next Education Workforce model. The diverse contexts, assets and needs of each school inform the design and implementation of each model. However, all Next Education Workforce models share several common elements. This document describes the Elements of the Next Education Workforce found across dozens of schools that have launched successful team-based models.

Students at Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy
School Spotlight

Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy

Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy creates new roles and staffing structures in an effort to attract and retain high-quality staff and reinvigorate teaching.

A teacher helping a student
Collection

Dynamic student groupings

How do educator teams leverage dynamic student groupings, differentiate roles and responsibilities and facilitate fluid movement across flexible learning spaces? Explore snapshots of learning spaces to learn more.

Upcoming events

Explore Experience: March 2

Join this live, virtual panel to learn from innovative educators and system leaders who are improving outcomes and experiences for students and educators through team-based strategic school staffing.

11:00 am - 12:30 pm Pacific
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Phoenix
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Eastern

Info Session: March 12

Discover the core ideas behind team-based strategic school staffing models and the Next Education Workforce. Ask questions, explore next steps and leave with a new understanding of how these models can transform teaching and learning for educators and students.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Pacific
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Phoenix
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern

Explore Experience: April 6

Join this live, virtual panel to learn from innovative educators and system leaders who are improving outcomes and experiences for students and educators through team-based strategic school staffing.

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Pacific
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Phoenix
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Eastern