It takes takes a specialized team of people to succeed at each Turnaround School. The team and the management organization must collaborate and support a strategic policy on school culture, alternative uses of the time in each school day, and the most appropriate programs for within and beyond the regular school hours.

In addition to a resilient and strategic school leadership team, each school needs a pipeline of teachers who are qualified for these high-poverty urban classrooms. AUSL supports these teachers with intensive induction and additional mentoring.

This additional layer of ever-present support begins as each AUSL Resident is assigned to a Mentor-Resident Coach (MRC) as soon as they begin the residency year. Each AUSL training academy is staffed with a full-time MRC who offers support for Residents and their mentor teachers.

The MRCs help design and implement a program that attends to the unique skill set of each Resident and mentor. They also aid in bridging the gap between university course work and classroom practice for the Residents. MRCs assist the Residents in developing a professional portfolio that links theory and instruction by helping them meet teaching standards through performance tasks.

The MRCs also offer professional development in curriculum and instruction, as well as insight around classroom best practice for the mentors. This guided support for the mentor-resident relationship helps create a dynamic and enriching program.

Support for Residents doesn’t stop at graduation; it shifts location and personnel, and expands the vital services to our graduate teachers. Our Field Coaches strengthen all aspects of classroom teaching for our graduates with professional development and mentoring support. Our program is individualized; coaches work with each teacher throughout the year to identify areas of concern, reiterate methods for reflection and support, and establish a focus for the work.