High Country Times

Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork in Walkertown, North Carolina, is piloting a new teaching model aimed at improving teacher retention and student success. This K–5 public elementary school has implemented a strategic staffing model that shifts from the traditional single-teacher classroom to a collaborative team approach across two combined grade levels.

The model includes a curriculum coach, an interventionist, four teachers, a teacher assistant, an academic tutor, and subject-specific specialists in STEM. “At the Academy at Middle Fork, we set out to address issues of isolation, burnout and overall working conditions for teachers,” said Hannah Reeder, Director of the Academy at Middle Fork and assistant dean in the Reich College of Education. The goal is to make teaching more manageable and improve student outcomes.

Lab schools like the Academy are part of the University of North Carolina System's initiative to enhance student performance and provide quality training for educators through innovative programs. The strategic staffing model was launched in fall 2023 and promotes co-teaching and professional learning among educators.

A unique aspect of this approach is Enrichment Days on Fridays. Teachers use this time for analyzing student performance and planning future instruction while students focus on areas needing individualized attention. “Our goal was not to hire more people but to reorganize our existing qualified staff,” explained Joy Hickman, a second–third grade team teacher.

Teachers work together in project-based learning environments with small-group instruction tailored to students' needs. “Grade spans have allowed students to receive instruction tailored to their needs,” said RaChelle Wood, a kindergarten–first grade team teacher.

Students have reported benefits from having multiple teachers who offer diverse instructional approaches. Fifth grader Core shared that learning varies daily with different strategies from various teachers. Another fifth-grade student, Monah, emphasized the advantages of working with multiple teachers: “If I don’t understand it one way, there may be someone else who can help in another way.”

The success of this model has been recognized by educational leaders such as Reich College Dean Melba Spooner, who testified before Congress about its impact on teacher preparation programs. U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean praised Appalachian State University for developing a model that supports teacher retention by reimagining traditional classroom structures.

Reeder emphasizes that this innovative approach is not temporary but represents the future of education: “This model isn’t a temporary trend — it’s the future of education.” Schools interested in adopting similar methods are encouraged to visit the academy and observe its implementation firsthand.

For further details about admissions or open house events at the Academy at Middle Fork or information about Appalachian State University's programs, visit their respective websites.