Empowered Educators

Empowered educators are critical for transforming the culture of traditional, comprehensive high schools into a personalized learning environment for all students. They work collaboratively and continuously seek, share, and act on their learning in order to improve their practice for the purpose of improved student outcomes. Educators are empowered through ongoing, job-embedded professional development and support that provides opportunities to learn and apply new practices, and through creating a sense of collective responsibility for all students' achievement.

The NAF model empowers educators by providing common planning time, encouraging Academy instructors to define their professional development needs, supplying data and research to inform instructors' work, and making connections to business partners who provide enhanced staff development relative to Academy curriculum.  These elements are reinforced through NAF's annual Summer Institute and regional forums, as well as through on-site support from NAF's field staff.