Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Advanced Teaching Role (ATR)?

In Cabarrus County Schools, our model of Advanced Teaching Roles includes two specific positions: Extended Reach Teacher (ERT) and Multi-Classroom Leader (MCL). Teacher-leaders in advanced teaching roles have an opportunity to expand their impact by reaching more students through their leadership. This is an opportunity to increase compensation without having to leave the classroom or school setting completely.

Extended Reach Teachers (ERTs) take on an additional caseload of students for direct instruction and responsibility. This could mean combining two sections of students into one larger section or it could use a hybrid model of teaching with synchronous and asynchronous groupings. Often, ERTs and their instruction are supplemented by a Reach Assistant. Reach Assistants are highly effective and well-trained teacher assistants who take on responsibilities of students in collaboration with the ERT. For instance, while the ERT is teaching one subset of students, the Reach Assistant may be supervising a performance task in the other subset of students under the direction of the ERT.

Multi-Classroom Leaders (MCLs) are responsible for directly coaching a group of teachers (i.e. 3-5 literacy teachers, 6-8 math teachers, biology teachers). They may co-teach, model-teach, or provide feedback during or after an observed lesson. They also lead professional learning communities and serve as content planning and instructional execution experts. MCLs take responsibility for the performance of students on the rosters of the teachers they coach. MCLs may pull small groups of students for direct instruction informed by data.

Who is eligible for an Advanced Teaching Role?

Eligible candidates have or are eligible for a NC teaching license in an appropriate licensure area and have multi-year trend evidence of effectiveness measured by EVAAS. Candidates also have three or more years of teaching experience and have received mostly accomplished ratings in NCEES on recent evaluations. Please refer to the Eligibility & Requirements page for more details.

For the new advanced teaching roles that will be launching, are CTE or Social Studies teachers eligible?

At this time, advanced teaching roles are reserved for state-tested subjects including K-8 reading, 3-8 math, HS Biology/English II/Math I/Math III, and 5^th & 8^th grade science. Eligible candidates must hold a teaching license in the subject area of the advanced teaching role and they must also meet EVAAS data criteria in that subject area.

Are all schools going to have Advanced Teaching Roles?

No. School principals must work with leveled assistant superintendents, academic services, and human resources to discuss potential implementation plans based on the school’s specific needs and deficits.

If I am in an Advanced Teaching Role, must I claim all students during EVAAS roster verification?

The district’s accountability department will release guidance for claiming students during the EVAAS roster verification window.

When is the Advanced Teaching Roles Candidate application window for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year?

The application window opens February/March 2025. Specific dates will be released as soon as they are established.

What is the purpose of the CCS ATR Talent Pool Application Update window?

The purpose of the CCS ATR Talent Pool Application Update window is to give educators who are currently in the CCS ATR Talent Pool the opportunity to update their applications with new data in order to potentially receive new eligibility.

How will teachers be selected for Advanced Teaching Roles after they are placed in the Talent Pool?

Teacher-leaders will be selected based on a weighted rubric that accounts for job qualifications, data, and a behavioral interview process.

If I need to provide a Data Portfolio when I apply, what do I include in it?

Data Portfolio should include a narrative explanation, 4 data sources, and baseline data to which you are comparing your students and shows that you achieved one or more percentile points above the school and/or district achievement data on any of the following subjects: math, science, ELA. Data Portfolio options include: Amplify K-3 Literacy Assessment, iREADY Grades 1-5 Diagnostic Assessment of Reading or Math, District Benchmarks, student surveys about classroom or teacher effectiveness such as Panorama, past/current coaching caseload performance, and/or looping proficiency increases. For your data portfolio, you may use data exclusively from the current school year and the previous school year.

*We will accept comparable state testing data for out-of-state applicants.

When I am listing my Instructional Leadership Professional Learning (IL PL), how many years back can I refer to?

7 years

Does the Instructional Leadership Professional Learning have to be coded as Leadership CEUs to count?

No, but we need the course title and month/year you completed the course and we reserve the right to ask details if needed.

I am on an Abbreviated Evaluation Plan. As a result, I am only rated on 2 standards. What do I do?

Both standards must show designated evaluation ratings. For example, if 3/5 standards need to show accomplished for your desired ATR position, then 2/2 abbreviated standards need to show accomplished.

If I am not admitted to the talent pool, can I reapply?

Candidates not admitted to the talent pool can reapply after a minimum of one calendar year passes from the initial application.

When will ATR positions be available?

Vacant ATR positions will be communicated directly to candidates who applied and were accepted to the ATR talent pool. Vacancies will be posted in the monthly ATR newsletter and on the district’s ATR website, part of the Cabarrus County Schools Careers page.

What Professional Learning will be provided if I am placed in an ATR?

Extended Reach Teachers (ERTs) will engage in professional learning as part of the existing CCS Educator Leadership Series program, as well as sessions led by CCS HR and Academic Services departments.  Specialized professional development from Opportunity Culture will be a critical part of the ERT training. ERTs will have their own PLC meetings led by the Teacher Leadership Specialist.

Multi-Classroom Leaders (MCLs) will engage in professional learning as part of the existing CCS Educator Leadership Series program, as well as sessions led by CCS HR and Academic Services departments. Specialized professional development from Opportunity Culture will be a critical part of the MCL training. Additionally, MCLs will have their own PLC meetings led by the Teacher Leadership Specialist. MCLs will attend the UnboundED Standards Institute to grow in their practice of planning and executing grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction. MCLs will also engage in the Queens University Coaching Academy to grow their practice of instructional coaching and adult leadership.

If I am placed in an ATR position, how often do I have to reapply?

You will need to reapply every three years.

What do I look for to know if I have met the EVAAS requirements?

You need to look at the Index on your EVAAS Teacher Value-Added report.

What counts toward Instructional Leadership Professional Learning? 

Bonafide professional development/professional learning experiences that resulted in the educator earning continuing education credits related to instructional leadership. College and graduate coursework does not count nor does an educator’s previous role alone; however, CEUs earned in a previous role could count. CEUs are continuing education units. 10 hours of professional learning is equivalent to 1 CEU. CEUs do not have to be labeled as Leadership to count. You are at liberty to select the PD sessions that pertain to Instructional Leadership. Instructional Leadership Professional Learning are learning experiences that build your leadership skills that support the development of teaching and learning.