The following section outlines the opportunities and benefits that are aligned with each LIFT stage and explains how you advance from one stage to the next. You will also find information about IMPACT observations at each stage, examples of available leadership opportunities, information about additional compensation at certain stages, and profiles of DCPS teachers.
Some teachers at this stage have prior experience in DCPS, while others are new to the teaching profession and have just successfully completed DCPS’s rigorous and competitive selection process. Whether new or returning, all teachers at this stage are committed to leading their students to ambitious achievement and to continuing to refine their instructional practices.
IMPACT Observations
Teachers at the Teacher stage will receive five observations. Four will be formal observations: two by an administrator and two by a master educator. During Cycle 1, these teachers will also receive one informal* administrator observation.
Please note that during Cycle 1, teachers who are in their first year in DCPS will receive an informal administrator observation before they receive any formal observations. An informal administrator observation will take place by December 18, and a formal master educator observation will take place between January 5 and February 19.
* Informal observations will not count toward final IMPACT ratings.
Leadership Opportunities
Teachers at this stage are eligible for a variety of leadership opportunities, including:
- Chancellor’s Teachers’ Cabinet page 32
- Teaching Audition Host Teacher page 41
- Fund for Teachers page 44
For descriptions of all of the opportunities available to educators at the Teacher stage, please refer to the Leadership Opportunities Catalog section of this guidebook, beginning on page 30.
Advancing to the Next Stage
A teacher will advance from the Teacher stage to the Established Teacher stage once she or he has earned two consecutive Effective ratings or one Highly Effective rating.
Spotlight: Charles Smith-DeVille
Charles is currently in his first year as a teacher at Savoy Elementary through Teach for America. Charles came to work for DCPS in 2013 as a Staffing Coordinator in the Office of Human Capital, after working for the Los Angeles Unified School District. As a member of the Strategic Staffing team, Charles supported school-based and Central Office hiring.
LIFT provides me with the apparatus to improve my leadership skills, while also developing my instructional tools as a first year teacher. This is an exciting opportunity to receive additional mentoring and resources to excel in the classroom.