Resource Type: Essentials

Creating shared and flexible learning spaces: A continuum for rethinking space

Space matters, but not having the money to invest in learning space design shouldn’t stop you from launching team-based models. This continuum is a tool to support decision-making for a phased approach for transforming learning spaces. We believe there is a continuum on which each team-based learning environment sits. Where it sits is usually a function of the level of investment the school or school system can make in shifting learning spaces in ways that have a positive impact on educators and students.

Elements briefs

Dive deeper into each of the big ideas highlighted in the Elements of the Next Education Workforce. Each brief asks three questions:

  • “What does this element look like in action?”
  • “What evidence do we have that this element is associated with positive outcomes?”
  • “How might this element be a catalyst for educational equity?”

Illustration of a Next Education Workforce model on a blue background

Relationships come first

Learn how MLFTC works with schools and other partners to 1) provide all students with deeper and personalized learning by building teams of educators with distributed expertise and 2) empower educators by developing new opportunities for role-based specialization and advancement.

Video: What is the Next Education Workforce?

How the Next Education Workforce initiative at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College works with schools and other partners.

Stevenson’s team-based model

Hear from Stevenson Elementary School principal Krista Adams about educator teams’ dynamic approach to supporting students.

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How teaming has impacted one lead teacher’s practice

Mountain View School kindergarten lead teacher Danielle Ashenbrener describes how a team-based approach has helped her to get to know her students better and to target student learning to meet individual students’ needs.

Changing the model: Building the Next Education Workforce

hat’s normal in education is broken. Nationally, teacher preparation programs have long seen declining enrollment. Teachers switch careers or retire early. They receive less pay and enjoy less social status than many other professionals. The job is hard in specific ways that inhibit success. That’s not good for educators. It’s not good for learners. And it’s not good for communities. In collaboration with school and community partners, Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is working to change that. 

Principled Innovation: Redesigning education

Principled Innovation emboldens us to be able to ask the question, “We can, but should we?” This video, created by MLFTC’s Principled Innovation Team, introduces Next Education Workforce models and explores how their development is an example of principled innovation.

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The relationship between deeper and personalized learning and teams of educators with distributed expertise

Hear from MLFTC Dean Carole Basile about the relationship between deeper and personalized learning and teams of educators with distributed expertise.

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.

The critical importance of the Next Education Workforce

Hear from MLFTC Dean Carole Basile about why Next Education Workforce models are critically important, especially today.

Dr. Nicole Thompson, Division Director of Teacher Preparation at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

Dr. Nicole Thompson, Division Director of Teacher Preparation at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

Brent Maddin talks with Dr. Nicole Thompson, Division Director of Teacher Preparation at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, about equity, paid teacher candidate residency models, and Principled Innovation.

Brent Maddin: What is the Next Education Workforce?

Brent Maddin: What is the Next Education Workforce?

Host Brent Maddin shares how MLFTC is working with schools and other partners to 1) provide all students with deeper and personalized learning by building teams of educators with distributed expertise and 2) empower educators by developing new opportunities for role-based specialization and advancement.

Conversation with Ron Beghetto

Ron Beghetto: Against technological macaroni art

Brent Maddin talks with Ron Beghetto, Professor and Pinnacle West Presidential Chair at ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, about creativity, beautiful risks, and how we can improve education for all learners.

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Teams and Distributed Expertise

Principal of Stevenson Elementary School Krista Adams shares how taking a teaming approach counters loneliness, empowers educators, and results in a better experience for both educators and students.

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The benefits of teaming for students & educators

Mountain View School kindergarten lead teacher Danielle Ashenbrener describes why Next Education Workforce models are great for both students and educators.

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The impact of teaming on the role of the school leader

Krista Adams talks about how her role as principal of Stevenson Elementary School has shifted as her school has adopted a Next Education Workforce model.

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Benefits of teaming: Educator retention, educator leadership opportunities, & student learning

Justin Wing, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Mesa Public Schools, shares three benefits of Next Education Workforce models — educator retention, educator leadership opportunities, and student learning.

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Two recommendations for adopting a Next Education Workforce model

Justin Wing, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Mesa Public Schools, shares two recommendations for those considering adopting Next Education Workforce models: changing your mindset and starting slowly.

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Teaming challenges: Working together & managing conflict

In this clip, Clinical Assistant Professor and Senior Program Strategist Kelly Owen shares what she sees as the biggest challenge for educators interested in adopting a team-based model and makes recommendations for how teams might overcome that challenge.

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Advice for educators interested in adopting a team-based approach

Clinical Assistant Professor and Senior Program Strategist Kelly Owen shares two pieces of advice for educators interested in adopting a team-based approach.