Adjunct professors plan projects of interest to the teachers. The professors like the personalized program because they can go to the principal and say, “This is what I’m doing with these teachers. How can this help you in your program?”

One Joplin teacher described the result as real world application. And, in fact, it works so well that Northwest considers Joplin the most successful of its teacher leadership programs.

The capstone of the program is the research projects based on Joplin’s school improvement issue.

Ten teachers researched Joplin High’s new Eagle Time program. Eagle Time occurs four days a week when teachers keep students in class from 2:35-3:00 for extra help and to monitor their grades. To research Eagle Time, teachers in the Cohort individually researched different areas (for instance, while one studied sophomores, another would study freshmen in special education). These “sister projects” allow teachers to see a wide array of segments of the student population.

Teachers have two incentives to enroll in the program. Many want to pursue further education and grow, and they need a master’s degree to advance to Stage 3 on the career ladder. Dr. Sachetta sees a bonus of the program in the personal growth of teachers. The first Cohort have become informal leaders in the building, and four or five have accepted chairmanship positions in their departments or on a steering committee.

Andy Ritter, who teaches gifted students, spoke enthusiastically of the opportunities to grow in the program. Cohort members watched each other teach and then went into the community to places such as the Sheltered Workshop. “It made me see the level of professionalism and made me appreciate as educators the concern they have for their student population,” he said.

Ritter also learned to see things through the eyes of administrators, “things that take place in the building, that require decisions.” Because Dr. Sachetta is a strong advocate of teacher involvement, Joplin teachers are gaining a voice in those decisions.

Kristi McGowen, another teacher in the first Cohort, likes the bonding and teamwork. Working on a master’s degree while teaching fulltime requires sacrifices on the part of the family, and she gave it some thought before enrolling. She says the convenience of Northwest bringing the program to Joplin was a big motivator.