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CONTRACT GROWING A NETWORK OF TEACHER-
POWERED SCHOOLS 250025-CI
This Contract between Education Evolving, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation with its corporate office at
2429 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404 (“us/we/our”) and the Maricopa County for and on behalf of
Maricopa County School Superintendent at 4041 N Central Ave #1100, Phoenix, AZ 85012
(“you/your/yours”) is made effective as of July 1, 2023.
1.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
Education Evolving will engage in activities related to “Growing a Network of Teacher-Powered
Schools in Maricopa County: A collaboration between The Office of the Maricopa County School
Superintendent, Empower Schools, and Teacher-Powered Schools” pursuant to this agreement
and as described as “Phase 5” in Appendix A of the scope of work attached to this contract (herein
referred to as “the services”).
2.
TERM AND TERMINATION.
This agreement shall commence as of the effective date and shall remain in effect until June 30,
2024. Either party can terminate this agreement at any time by giving the other party thirty (30)
days prior written notice.
3.
COMPENSATION.
Maricopa County (County), through Maricopa County School Superintendent (MCSS), will pay
Education Evolving $200,000 for services rendered during the term of this agreement. Education
Evolving will pay Empower Schools $100,000 for their work in this agreement. Additionally, County,
through MCSS, will pay Education Evolving $5,000 to reimburse agreed-upon legal costs.
4.
INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.
We agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless you, your directors, officers, employees,
members, agents and any of your affiliates and their respective officers, directors, owners,
employees and agents, from and with respect to any and all claims, obligations, liabilities, debts,
tax liabilities, liens, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees
and disbursements) suffered or incurred as a result or arising from (i) any negligent act or omission
by us. In no event shall either party be liable to the other party for the payment of any consequential,
indirect or special damages, including lost profits.
5.
CONFIDENTIALITY.
Both parties acknowledge that during the term of this agreement, they may be exposed to the other
party’s confidential information. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to financial
information, strategies, internal memorandums and emails, and contact information databases.
Confidential information does not include any information that has become part of the public domain
by means other than breach of this agreement. Both parties agree not to use or disclose at any
time during or after the term of this agreement, any confidential information to any third party for
any reason, except as explicitly authorized and necessary to perform the services or except as
otherwise required by applicable law. Upon termination of this agreement and subject to applicable
SERIAL 250025-CI
law, each party will deliver to the other party all of the other party’s confidential information in their
possession or control.
6.
WORK MADE FOR HIRE.
County recognizes and understands that through provision of the services, MCSS may be involved
in the preparation of materials, including written or graphic materials, and that such materials
conceived or written by MCSS exclusively on behalf of us shall be done as a “work made for hire”
as defined and used in the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 USC 1 et seq. In the event of publication of
such materials, you understand that since the work is a “work made for hire”, we will solely retain
all rights in said materials, including the right of copyright.
7.
NON-WAIVER.
No provision of this agreement may be waived except by an agreement in writing signed by the
waiving party. A waiver of any term or provision shall not be construed as a waiver of any other
term or provision.
8.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.
We shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including those regarding business
permits and expenses, that may be required to carry out the services under this agreement.
9.
CHOICE OF LAW.
Any dispute under this agreement or related to this agreement shall be decided in accordance with
the laws of the State of Arizona, without regard to Arizona’s choice of law provisions.
10.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This agreement is the final, complete, and exclusive agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior discussions regarding the subject matter hereof.
11.
SEVERABILITY.
In the event that any provision of this agreement violates any applicable statute, ordinance, or rule
of law in any jurisdiction that governs this agreement, such provision shall be ineffective to the
extent of such violation without invalidating any other provision of this agreement.
12.
NON-EXCLUSIVITY.
Nothing herein shall preclude us from performing similar services for other entities nor shall it
prohibit you from engaging other persons to perform the same or similar services.
13.
WARRANTY OF SERVICES
13.1
The Contractor warrants that all services provided hereunder will conform to the
requirements of the contract, including all descriptions, specifications, and attachments
made a part of this contract. County’s acceptance of services or goods provided by the
Contractor shall not relieve the Contractor from its obligations under this warranty.
13.2
In addition to its other remedies, County may, at the Contractor's expense, require prompt
correction of any services failing to meet the Contractor's warranty herein. Services
corrected by the Contractor shall be subject to all the provisions of this contract in the
manner and to the same extent as services originally furnished hereunder.
SERIAL 250025-CI
14.
PUBLIC RECORDS
Under Arizona law, all offers submitted and opened are public records and must be retained by the
County at the Maricopa County Office of Procurement Services. Offers shall be open to public
inspection and copying after contract award and execution, except for such offers or sections
thereof determined to contain proprietary or confidential information by the Office of Procurement
Services. If an offeror believes that information in its offer or any resulting contract should not be
released in response to a public record request, under Arizona law, the offeror shall indicate the
specific information deemed confidential or proprietary and submit a statement with its offer
detailing the reasons that the information should not be disclosed. Such reasons shall include the
specific harm or prejudice which may arise from disclosure. The records manager of the Office of
Procurement Services shall determine whether the identified information is confidential pursuant to
the Maricopa County Procurement Code.
15.
FORCED LABOR
15.1
By submitting a bid for this solicitation and/or entering into a contract as a result of this
solicitation, contractor agrees to comply with all applicable portions of Arizona Revised
Statutes Section 35-394. Contracting; procurement; prohibition; written certification;
remedy; termination; exception; definitions.
15.2
Contractor certifies that it does not currently, and agrees for the duration of the contract,
that it will not use:
15.2.1 The forced labor of ethnic Uyghurs in the People’s Republic of China.
15.2.2 Any goods or services produced by the forced labor of ethnic Uyghurs in the
People’s Republic of China.
15.2.3 Any contractors, subcontractors or suppliers that use the forced labor or any good
or services produced by the forced labor of ethnic Uyghurs in the People’s
Republic of China.
15.3
If contractor becomes aware during the term of the agreement that contractor is not in
compliance with this paragraph, the contractor shall notify the County within five business
days after becoming aware of the noncompliance. If the contractor fails to provide a written
certification to the County that the contractor has remedied the noncompliance within 180
days after notifying the County of its noncompliance, then the agreement terminates,
except that if the agreement termination date occurs before the end the 180 day period,
the agreement terminates on the agreement termination date.
16.
WRITTEN CERTIFICATION PURSUANT to A.R.S. § 35-393.01
If vendor engages in for-profit activity and has 10 or more employees, and if this agreement has a
value of $100,000 or more, vendor certifies it is not currently engaged in, and agrees for the duration
of this agreement to not engage in, a boycott of goods or services from Israel. This certification
does not apply to a boycott prohibited by 50 U.S.C. § 4842 or a regulation issued pursuant to 50
U.S.C. § 4842.
17.
AMENDMENTS.
This agreement may only be supplemented, amended or revised by mutual agreement of the
parties and execution of a written amendment.
SERIAL 250025-CI
18.
INSURANCE.
18.1
Commercial General Liability.
Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance and, if necessary, Commercial Umbrella
insurance with a limit of not less than $2,000,000 for each occurrence, $4,000,000
Products/Completed Operations Aggregate, and $4,000,000 General Aggregate Limit. The
policy shall include coverage for premises liability, bodily injury, broad form property
damage, personal injury, products and completed operations and blanket contractual
coverage, and shall not contain any provisions which would serve to limit third party action
over claims. There shall be no endorsement or modifications of the CGL limiting the scope
of coverage for liability arising from explosion, collapse, or underground property damage.
18.2
Workers’ Compensation.
18.2.1 Workers’ compensation insurance to cover obligations imposed by Federal and
State statutes having jurisdiction of Contractor’s employees engaged in the
performance of the work or services under this contract; and Employer’s Liability
insurance of not less than $1,000,000 for each accident, $1,000,000 disease for
each employee, and $1,000,000 disease policy limit.
18.2.2 Contractor, its subcontractors, and sub-subcontractors waive all rights against this
contract and its agents, officers, directors, and employees for recovery of damages
to the extent these damages are covered by the workers’ compensation and
Employer’s Liability or Commercial Umbrella Liability insurance obtained by
Contractor, its subcontractors, and its sub-subcontractors pursuant to this contract.
18.3
Errors and Omissions/Professional Liability Insurance.
Contractor shall maintain Professional Liability insurance which will provide coverage for
any and all acts arising out of the work or services performed by the contractor under the
terms of this contract, with a limit of not less than $2,000,000 for each claim, and
$4,000,000 aggregate claims.
18.4
Certificates of Insurance
18.4.1 Contractor shall furnish the County with valid and complete Certificates of
Insurance, or formal endorsements as required by the contract in the form provided
by the County, issued by Contractor’s insurer(s), as evidence that policies
providing the required coverage, conditions and limits required by this contract are
in full force and effect. Such certificates shall identify this contract number and title.
18.4.2 In the event any insurance policy(ies) required by this contract is (are) written on
a claims-made basis, coverage shall extend for two years past completion and
acceptance of Contractor’s work or services and as evidenced by annual
certificates of insurance.
18.4.3 If a policy does expire during the life of the Contract, a renewal certificate must be
sent to the County 15 calendar days prior to the expiration date.
18.5
Cancellation and Expiration Notice.
18.5.1 Applicable to all insurance policies required within the insurance requirements of
this contract, Contractor’s insurance shall not be permitted to expire, be
suspended, be canceled, or be materially changed for any reason without 30 days
prior written notice to Maricopa County. Contractor must provide to Maricopa
County, within two business days of receipt, if they receive notice of a policy that
has been or will be suspended, canceled, materially changed for any reason, has
expired, or will be expiring. Such notice shall be sent directly to Maricopa County
SERIAL 250025-CI
Office of Procurement Services and shall be mailed, or hand delivered to 301 W.
Jefferson St. Suite 700, Phoenix, AZ 85003, or emailed to the procurement officer
noted in the solicitation.
18.5.2 Statutory Right of Cancellation for Conflict of Interest. Notice is given that, pursuant
to A.R.S. § 38-511, you may cancel any contract without penalty or further
obligation within three years after execution of the contract, if any person
significantly involved in initiating, negotiating, securing, drafting, or creating the
contract on your behalf is at any time, while the contract or any extension of the
contract is in effect, an employee or agent of any other party to the contract in any
capacity or consultant to any other party of the contract with respect to the subject
matter of the contract. Additionally, pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-511, you may recoup
any fee or commission paid or due to any person significantly involved in initiating,
negotiating, securing, drafting, or creating the contract on your behalf from any
other party to the contract arising as the result of the contract.
19.
VERIFICATION REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH A.R.S. § 41-4401 AND FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
19.1
By entering into the contract, we warrant compliance with the Immigration and Nationality
Act (INA using E-Verify) and all other Federal immigration laws and regulations related to
the immigration status of our employees and A.R.S. § 23-214(A). We shall obtain
statements from our subcontractors certifying compliance and shall furnish the statements
to the MCSS upon request. These warranties shall remain in effect through the term of the
contract. We and our subcontractors shall also maintain Employment Eligibility Verification
forms (I-9) as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended
from time to time, for all employees performing work under the contract and verify
employee compliance using the E-Verify system and shall keep a record of the verification
for the duration of the employee’s employment or at least three years, whichever is longer.
I-9 forms are available for download at www.uscis.gov.
19.2
You retain the legal right to inspect documents of our and any of our subcontractor’s
employees performing work under this contract to verify compliance with paragraph 16.1
of this section. We and our subcontractor shall be given reasonable notice of your intent to
inspect and shall make the documents available at the time and date specified. Should you
suspect or find that the we or any of our subcontractors are not in compliance, you will
consider this a material breach of the contract and may pursue any and all remedies
allowed by law, including, but not limited to: suspension of work, termination of the contract
for default, and suspension and/or debarment of us. All costs necessary to verify
compliance are our responsibility.
20.
UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS.
By entering into this contract, we agree to comply with all applicable provisions of Title 2, Subtitle
A, Chapter II, Part 200—Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit
Requirements For Federal Awards contained in Title 2 C.F.R. § 200 et seq.
21.
UNIQUE
ENTITY
IDENTIFIER
(UEI)
AND SYSTEM
FOR
AWARD
MANAGEMENT
REGISTRATION
All
contractors
that
receive
federal
funding
must
have
a
UEI
number
through
https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration. Contractor must also remain current with the System for
Award Management www.sam.gov throughout the term of the contract.
22.
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
The contractor agrees that costs, planned or claimed, including costs incurred, shall not include
any expense for any religious activity.
SERIAL 250025-CI
23.
POLITICAL ACTIVITY PROHIBITED
None of the funds, materials, property, or services contributed by the County or the contractor under
the agreement shall be used in the performance of this agreement for any partisan political activity,
or to further the election or defeat of any candidate for public office.
24.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
24.1
The contractor shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment
because of race, age, disability, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The contractor shall
take affirmative action to ensure applicants are employed and that employees are treated
during employment without regard to their race, age, disability, color, religion, sex, or
national origin. Such action shall include but is not limited to the following: employment,
upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment, or recruitment advertising, lay-off or
termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training,
including apprenticeship.
24.2
Contractor shall comply with the following provisions:
24.2.1 Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 2000a,
et seq.);
24.2.2 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. §§ 701, et seq.);
24.2.3 The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (29 U.S.C. §§
621, et seq.);
24.2.4 The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq.); and
Arizona Executive Order 2009-09, as amended, et seq. which mandates that all
persons shall have equal access to employment opportunities.
24.2.5 Contractor understands that the United States has the right to seek judicial
enforcement of this assurance.
25.
CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING
25.1
Contractor certifies, to the best of their knowledge and belief, that:
25.1.1 No federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of
the contractor, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or
employee of any agency. This applies to a Member of Congress, an officer or
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection
with the awarding of any federal contract, the making of any federal grant. Including
the making of any federal, loan the entering into of any cooperative agreement,
and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any
federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
25.2
If any funds other than federal appropriated funds, have been paid or will be paid to any
person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency,
member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of
Congress in connection with this federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement,
the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, “Disclosure Form to
Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions.
25.3
Contractor shall include Lobbying Certification language in the award documents for all
subcontractors (including sub-grants, and contract under grants, loans, and cooperative
agreements) and that all sub-recipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.
SERIAL 250025-CI
25.4
The Lobbying Certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was
placed when this transaction is made or entered into. Submission of this certification is
prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, Title 31,
U.S. Code. Any successful proposer(s) who fail to file the required certification shall be
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000.00 and not more than $100,000.00 for
each such failure.
26.
CLEAN AIR ACT & CLEAN WATER ACT
Contractor must comply with all applicable standards, orders, or requirements issued under section
306 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 1857(h), section 508 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1368)
Executive Order 11738, and Environmental Protection Agency regulations (40 CFR part 15).
27.
ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT
Contractor must adhere to the standards and policies relating to energy efficiency, which are
contained in the State energy conservation plan issued in compliance with the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (Pub. L. 94-163, 89 Stat.871)
28.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS
28.1
The following are to be attached to and made part of this Contract:
28.1.1 Exhibit A – Appendix A- Scope of Work and Pricing
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this contract is executed on the date set forth above.
CONTRACTOR
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
PRINTED NAME AND TITLE
ADDRESS
DATE
MARICOPA COUNTY
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
DATE
ATTESTED:
CLERK OF THE BOARD
DATE
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY
DATE
Amy Junge, Director of Teacher-Powered Schools
September 6, 2024
2429 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
SERIAL 250025-CI
Exhibit A – Appendix A- Scope of Work and Pricing
Growing a Network of Teacher-Powered Schools in Maricopa
County
A collaboration between The Office of the Maricopa County School
Superintendent, Empower Schools, and Teacher-Powered Schools
Scope of Work for July 2023-June 2024
The Opportunity
Given its important role in one of the largest and most diverse counties in the country, the Office of the
Maricopa County School Superintendent has an opportunity to rethink and redesign Maricopa County
students' educational experience. The Office of the County School Superintendent is interested in
establishing a Teacher-Powered Network and support center that helps scale teacher-powered schools
and practices within Maricopa County districts that enhance and transform the student and educator
experience, elevate the teaching profession, increase teacher retention, and better support and serve all
students, families, and school communities.
Maricopa County has already launched two of these schools within the Maricopa County Regional School
District and sees an opportunity to bring similar empowering conditions of teacher autonomy, responsibility
for student results, and support to more schools within Maricopa County’s school districts.
With expertise building educator-led schools and district partnerships nationally, Teacher Powered Schools
and Empower Schools are two organizations with complementary skill sets, positioned to support the
design, smart growth, implementation, sustainability of this effort.
In this document, we propose a multiphase effort to recruit, design, grow, and sustain innovative,
autonomous schools within Maricopa County. Phases 1-4 have been completed in 2021-2023, this current
proposal is for continuing our work in Phases 5 and 6. Our goal is to support the efforts of the Office of the
Maricopa County School Superintendent to build a system of excellent schools that offers Maricopa County
students the ability to succeed in school and in life and educators a supportive and empowering teaching
environment that will support their retention in the long term.
Design and Launch Timeline
The process to design and launch a growing network of teacher-powered schools within Maricopa County
would have several phases. Below is a proposed timeline for the first six phases of the work. We recognize
that specific timelines may need to be adjusted based on needs and priorities of Maricopa County
leadership and principals and the realities and demands placed on districts and schools. As such, Empower
Schools and Teacher-Powered Schools are prepared to be flexible and responsive on partnership
scope and timeline. Phases 1-4 were completed previously.
Fall
21
Winter
22
Spring
22
Sum.
22
Fall
22
Winter
23
Spring
23
Sum.
23
Fall
23
Winte
r 24
Spring
24
Phase 5:
●
Recruit and
facilitate
Cohort 2 in
SERIAL 250025-CI
Exploration
●
Launch and
Support
Implementat
ion Cohort 1
Phase 6
●
Select
Second
Design
Cohort
●
Support
Implementat
ion Cohort 1
●
Support
Cohort 2 in
Design,
●
Recruit
Cohort 3 for
Exploration
Empower Schools and Teacher-Powered Schools have the expertise to support Maricopa County and
respective school districts through each of these phases. Building on the success of the first two phases,
this scope of work outlines the support that Empower Schools and Teacher-Powered Schools could provide
Maricopa County Office of the Superintendent in phase five of the work.
Partners Collaboration
Teacher-Powered Schools and Empower Schools each bring a rich set of expertise to the overall
partnership. Teacher Powered Schools will lead on all strategic advice and knowledge building regarding
school-level teacher powered best practices, policies, and lessons learned. Empower Schools will lead on
all district and systems-level advice, best practices, policies, and lessons learned.
We are committed to jointly providing seamless support to the Maricopa County Office of the
Superintendent and partnering districts and educators. As such, at the onset of the project, the partners will
collaborate to:
●
Create a clear set of roles and responsibilities for the engagement
●
Create a long-term work plan key deliverables and milestone dates
●
Streamline communication and contact to ensure efficiency and effective collaboration
Phase 5
Phase 5: Launch and Support Implementation Cohort 1, Support Cohort 2 of Exploration,, Support design
and implementation of multi-pronged sustainability strategy
Key Outcomes:
●
5 teams participate in Cohort 1 Implementation
●
5-7 teams participate in Cohort 2 Exploration
●
Each team in Cohort 1 identifies and engages at least two district/ecosystem level champions
●
Identify and prioritize potential county-wide ecosystem strategies for further planning and execution
(legislative opportunities, county-wide coalitions)
Anticipated Timeline: July 2023- December 2023
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Budget: $100,000 ($50,000 for TPS for Implementation phase support, Design phase coaches, project
coordination, travel, materials, $50,000 for Empower for district level design and implementation support,
coaching to cohort participants, project coordination, travel/materials)
Workstream
Overview of Support
Point
Support
Ongoing
Project
Management
●
Facilitate weekly or biweekly check-ins with
project team to ensure project is staying on
track
●
Update and communicate status and changes
to work plans as necessary as project evolves
Empower
TPS
Cohort
Coordination,
Logistics,
and
Communication
●
Support in coordinating Cohort logistics and
communications including:
○
Development of pre and post session
communications to participants
○
Follow-up
with
participants
as
needed between sessions
○
Ongoing communication support to
broader community
TPS
Empower
Implementation
Phase: Cohort 1
●
Provide ongoing to support to school teams
and the district
●
Ensure school teams are operationalize
autonomies and school-level decision-making
structures
●
Provide support for challenges that arise from
implementation
TPS
Empower
Exploration Phase:
Cohort 2 - School-
Level
●
Develop and refine session content and
materials for monthly (4) meetings including:
○
Facilitator and participant agendas
○
Presentations and handouts
○
Pre-Reads
○
Coordination of guest speakers
○
Session feedback forms
●
Support in facilitating monthly meetings for
school teams and district administrators
○
Coaching and support in facilitation
preparations for Maricopa County
Office team
○
Onsite attendance for kickoff session
●
Virtual facilitation support for remaining
meetings
●
Develop Community of Transformational
Practice
TPS
Empower
Exploration Phase:
Cohort 2 - District-
Level
●
For 1-2 districts, analysis of existing district
systems and structures that support or
impede school-level autonomy
●
Provide individualized support to explore what
it would look like to support autonomous
teacher-powered schools
Empower
TPS
Implementation
Phase Cohort 1:
Sustainability
Planning
Work with Maricopa County Office to engage district
systems in conversations and experiences to begin
the work to co-design an approach to operationalizing
school-level autonomies and governance structures
for teacher-powered schools including:
Empower
TPS
SERIAL 250025-CI
●
Work with all design teams in implementation
to
identify
and
engage
2-3
potential
champions
●
Develop consistent messaging tools and
talking points
●
With up to 2 district teams, develop district
level strategies for sustainability for the work
●
Develop and co-facilitate event/site visit for
potential coalition members to see the work in
action and commit to supporting its future
●
Explore ecosystem level approaches to
support the work of the schools.
Planning for Sustainability: Exploring Multiple Approaches
As we plan through phase 5 and into phase 6 for sustainability we anticipate that the two phases of work
will include multiple avenues to explore and engage in sustainability planning, leveraging both grassroots
approaches, coalition building from campus sites, and opportunities to explore ecosystem-wide approaches
and coalition building.
We anticipate that phase 5 and 6 will include the following:
1. Support to all teams in implementation and exploration/design in identifying and engaging district
champions and developing clear compelling messaging about the work for a district/ecosystem
audience
2. In depth support for up to 2 districts poised to more deeply engage in sustainability planning to
develop strategies focused on durability of conditions and autonomies that support teacher
powered practices.
3. Support in the recruitment of new districts with a focus on districts where there is potential for strong
board level support and buy-in
We additionally anticipate executing on a strategy to:
1. Explore opportunities to influence or draft new state-wide policy to support and incentives districts
to engage in this work
2. Explore the development of an ecosystem-wide coalition to support the work and advocate for the
need for sustainable and durable conditions and autonomies for schools
SERIAL 250025-CI
Phase 6
Phase 6: Launch and Support Implementation Cohort 1, Support Cohort 2 of Design, Recruit and facilitate
Cohort 3 for Exploration, Support design and launch of shared governance structure.
Key Outcomes:
●
5 teams participate in Cohort 1 Implementation
●
A cohort of 2-4 teams selected to participate in Cohort 2 Implementation (2024-2025)
●
3-5 teams participate in Cohort 2 Design Year (Spring 2024)
●
Each team in Cohort 2 identifies two district/ecosystem level champions
●
1- 2 district teams have identified and are working towards a sustainability strategy
Anticipated Timeline: January 2024- June 2024
Budget: $100,000 ($50,000 for TPS for Implementation phase support, Design phase coaches, project
coordination, travel, materials,$50,000 for Empower for district level design and implementation support for
3-5 districts, support/coaching to cohort participants, project coordination, travel/materials)
Workstream
Overview of Support
Point
Support
Ongoing Project
Management
●
Facilitate weekly or biweekly check-ins with
project team to ensure project is staying on
track
●
Update and communicate status and changes
to work plans as necessary as project evolves
Empower
TPS
Cohort
Coordination,
Logistics,
and
Communication
●
Support in coordinating Cohort logistics and
communications including:
○
Development of pre and post session
communications to participants
○
Follow-up with participants as needed
between sessions
○
Ongoing communication support to
broader community
TPS
Empower
Implementation
Phase: Cohort 1
●
Provide ongoing to support to school teams
and the district
●
Ensure school teams are operationalize
autonomies and school-level decision-making
structures
●
Provide support for challenges that arise from
implementation
TPS
Empower
Implementation
Phase Cohort 1:
Sustainability
Planning
●
Support execution and hosting of coalition
events and opportunities to connect and
develop a deep commitment to teacher-
powered work and sustainability
●
Dependent on 1-2 district sustainability
planning, support execution of district strategy
planning.
●
Exploration and execution on ecosystem-level
sustainability strategies
Empower
TPS
Design
Phase:
Cohort 2 - School-
Level
●
Implement Design and Planning learning
series for Cohort 2
●
Launch school design planning process with
educator teams/schools
TPS
Empower
Empower
TPS
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Design
Phase:
Cohort 2 -
District-Level
●
Work with all design teams in implementation
to
identify
and
engage
2-3
potential
champions
●
Develop consistent messaging tools and
talking points
●
With up to 2 district teams, develop district
level strategies for sustainability for the work
●
Develop and co-facilitate event/site visit for
potential coalition members to see the work in
action and commit to supporting its future
Exploration
Phase Cohort 3:
●
Support the recruitment of new schools and
districts to participate in exploration.
●
Facilitate Community of Transformational
Practice
TPS
Empower
Budget Overview
Empower Schools and Teacher Powered Schools are nonprofit organizations committed to advancing
opportunities for all students. As nonprofits, we are able to keep costs low and access local and national
philanthropic support to meet our partners’ needs. Each partnership is customized to provide high-quality
tailored support to our partners through a scope of work that meets their budgetary constraints.
Budget Overview
Budget
Phase 5- July 2023- December 2023
$100,000
Phase 6 - January 2024 - June 2024
$100,000
Total
$200,000
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Appendix A
About Teacher Powered Schools
Teacher-powered is a type of school governance structure where teams of educators have autonomy to
design, create, and make final decisions in areas impacting student success. Teacher-powered schools—
that is, schools collectively designed and run by teams of educators—are a powerful, practical route to
better and more equitable student learning. At the heart of it, teacher-powered schools lead to better and
more equitable learning because they tap the energy and brilliance inherent in school communities. At
teacher-powered schools, educators partner with students, families, and communities to create student-
centered learning experiences that honor, support, and develop each student for who they are, as a learner
and as a person. Among these schools, there is no one way to do or be teacher-powered. Each school
looks different because each team has found a form of teacher-powered that works for their students,
educators, and community.
The Teacher-Powered Schools Initiative is a project of Education Evolving, a non profit organization located
in St. Paul, MN. Our Teacher-Powered Network includes schools in 20 states and regional networks in MN,
MA, CA, MI, and WI. We advocate for educator teams at the national, state, and local levels, partnering
with districts, charter authorizers, unions, legislators, and education support organizations to actively
support teams in their educator-led governance models.
Teacher-powered is a unique and important idea. At the same time, it is not fully a new idea. It is a
manifestation of several well-studied concepts, which we see in academic research have deep links with
school success. In other words, teacher-powered schools put into practice what research shows to work
best for running organizations and making change.
About Empower Schools
Empower Schools partners with communities to help them get the schools they want with the results
students need. We believe that schools and communities thrive when educators are empowered and held
accountable for making key decisions at the school level that are best for students. We work with district
and community leaders, educators, state education agencies, and funders to align interests and develop
sustainable pathways for change. Our organization has developed Empowerment Zones that create locally
driven solutions that combine school autonomy, accountability, and support to empower schools to provide
an excellent education to their students. In addition, we support districts in launching systems and structures
that support and sustain autonomous schools and ensure they have the necessary conditions to thrive.
Empower School’s work is informed by our on-the-ground experience as the design and launch partner of
several public school improvement and innovation efforts across the country. To date, we have supported
the design and launch of 14 district partnerships, serving more than 29,000 students across 48 schools.
Click here for additional information about Empower Schools and the Zone’s we’ve helped to launch.
Whether working with a large, urban school district like Denver Public Schools or a small, rural district like
the Benavides Independent School District in rural South Texas, Empower pairs flexibility and a desire to
customize its support to local needs with core commitments to equity, sustainability of efforts, empowering
educators, and improving the educational experience for students.
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Appendix B
The Team
Empower Schools provides a flexible staffing model, designed to meet the ever-shifting needs and priorities
of our partners. We recognize that different expertise and capacity is needed at different times, and we
make sure to bring in experts from our team and our broader network as they are needed. Below is a
sample of team bios who would have deep involvement in the work. We would plan on bringing on additional
experts as needed.
Sarah Robb - Partner
Sarah currently leads our partnerships in California and Indiana and supports districts and
communities across the country to explore, design, and launch Zones of autonomous, empowered
district schools. In Massachusetts, Sarah supported the launch and initial implementation of the
Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. Prior to joining Empower Schools, Sarah worked at
TNTP where she supported the implementation of New York City’s teacher development and
evaluation system. Previously, Sarah was a Program Manager with City Year San Jose/Silicon
Valley where she managed a team of AmeriCorps members and worked closely with the school
community to help transform the school’s culture and provide targeted support to off track students.
Sarah began her work in education teaching high school biology on the South Side of Chicago.
Sarah has a B.A. in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Michigan, a M.A.T. from
National Louis University, and a M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Education
Policy and Management.
Hannah Foley - Director
Hannah serves as Director and supports the work of Empower Schools in Texas leading the launch
of in-district charter partnerships and ongoing implementation support. Before joining Empower
Schools, Hannah worked in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area in several roles supporting education
systems including program evaluation for school districts and school authorizers and policy network
support across the region. She began her career as a public-school teacher and administrator in
Houston. During her time in the classroom and in administration she spearheaded initiatives in
instructional coaching, leadership development, and blended learning. She is an alumna of Teach
for America and Education Pioneers and holds a B.A. in French from St. Olaf College and an M.P.P.
from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In her free time, Hannah
enjoys the outdoors, cooking, crafting, and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Matt Matera - Partner
Matt plays an active role in Empower’s work across the country as part of his commitment to
building systems that empower educators and lead to student success. He led the design and
launch of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, working closely to help execute the
innovative contracts that enabled the Empowerment Zone and then coordinating the first year of
implementation. While at Empower he has also helped to launch six additional Zones and has
supported Empower’s national efforts to promote school autonomy paired with accountability.
Before joining Empower Schools, Matt was the Director of Human Capital Investments at New
Schools for New Orleans and the Director of Innovation and Talent for Lawrence Public Schools in
Massachusetts, working with teachers, administrators, and education organizations to help support
effective teaching and learning. He also taught middle school English for five years and is currently
the board chairman for the nonprofit organization Teach Western Mass. He is an alumnus of Teach
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For America and Education Pioneers and also worked for several summers with the Breakthrough
Collaborative. Matt has a B.A. in English and a J.D. from Yale University.
The Teacher-Powered Schools team includes members of Education Evolving and our team of
national TPS Ambassadors, educators currently working at teacher-powered schools. Below are
bios of the two members who would be most active on this project.
Amy Junge - Director of Teacher-Powered Schools, Education Evolving
Amy is a former California public elementary and middle school teacher and assistant principal.
She started working with teacher-powered schools in 2009 and was a contributing author for
Trusting Teachers with School Success: What Happens When Teachers Call the Shots. Today,
Amy supports educator teams across the country with teacher-powered governance, collaborative
leadership, and autonomous school models. She leads Education Evolving’s Teacher-Powered
Schools work, oversees communications, advocacy, and professional learning development. Amy
has a B.A. from Northwestern University and a M.A. from the University of California at Santa
Barbara. She lives in southern California with her family.
Wendy Salcedo-Fierro - Teacher-Powered Schools Specialist, Education Evolving
Wendy is a social studies and dual language teacher. As a lead teacher at a teacher-powered
school in Los Angeles, Wendy helped articulate her school’s K-12 bilingual program and develop
innovative projects, assessments, and initiatives. She is passionate about creating democratic
schools and supporting teachers and students to be agents of change.
Jeff Austin- Teacher-Powered Ambassador
Jeff Austin is a social studies teacher who now serves as the principal and was on the design team
at the Social Justice Humanitas Academy in Los Angeles. He is a National Board Certified Teacher
and was a 2013 Los Angeles County and Los Angeles Unified School District Teacher of the Year.
Jeff lives in Altadena with his wife Amanda and two daughters, Abigail and Madelyn. When he's
not teaching or corralling his girls, Jeff loves watching soccer.
Zaynab Baalbaki - Teacher-Powered Ambassador
Zaynab Baalbaki is extremely passionate about social justice, especially in education. This passion
stems from various personal experiences. Zaynab was born and raised in Milwaukee's south side.
She attended UW-Madison, where she double-majored in Elementary Education and Sociology
and double-minored in Educational Policy Studies and Chicana & Latina Studies.
Zaynab was a teacher at Escuela Verde, located in Milwaukee, WI. Escuela Verde is a teacher-
powered school that focuses on social justice, sustainability, and peace. Some partners she has
worked with are Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools, FieldEdVentures, Green Schools
National Network, Milwaukee Public Schools, and more! Zaynab is involved with local organizations
such as Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals, Wisconsin Association for Environmental
Educators, and Ayuda Mutua.