Learning Together

Message from Troy D. Olin, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

Gates Chili Central School District is committed to maximizing academic achievement for each student by providing access to rigorous instructional practices supported by data-driven insights and ongoing progress-monitoring. One component of that commitment is an enhanced approach to teacher leadership.

Teacher leadership is fundamental to the success of our district. Through a distributive leadership model, we empower teachers to take an active role in shaping our educational landscape, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility. Teacher leaders work closely with district and building leadership to support consistent practices across grade levels and departments, ensuring alignment in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This structured support strengthens our schools and enhances student learning.

As we look ahead to the 2025-26 school year, we are expanding our teacher leadership model to provide more opportunities for teachers to engage in instructional leadership, collaborative decision-making and school improvement efforts. This enhanced structure will deepen collaboration among staff, teams, and students while reinforcing our shared commitment to growth and excellence in teaching and learning.

Read on for more about the changes coming in 2025-26 and details on how you can apply for one of these positions.

The new structure includes the addition of 15 teacher leader positions across all grade levels. Similar to the current structure, the new structure includes full-time and stipend-based leaders.

• Each school will have one Grade-level Leader at each grade.
• Building reading and building math positions transition to Building Literacy and Math Leaders.
• While building literacy and math leaders will remain as building-level leaders, science and social studies will shift to a K-12 structure.

• ESOL will move from one position 6-12 to two positions for 6-8 and 9-12.
• Music, Physical Education, Technology and World Language shift from two positions for 6-8 and 9-12 to one position for 6-12.
• The position of Building Reading Teacher has been restructured to become Building Literacy Leaders.

• The Speech, OT/PT, Casework/Social Work, and School Psychology related services will now be included in the teacher leadership structure.
• While the Library department leader remains a K-12 position, it is no longer tied to a coaching position.
• Innovation coach positions are shifting to become K-12 Instructional Leaders.
• Other full-time instructional coaching positions are growing to include K-12 Math Leader, K-12 Science Leader and K-12 Social Studies Leader.

Some positions with full job descriptions will be posted in Frontline at the beginning of March, with others becoming available later this spring

Congratulations to William Brown, Kimberly Burgholzer, and Zachary McLymond who were the first three to respond to last month's riddle correctly.

If you know the answer to this month's riddle, click HERE to submit your answer. The first three (3) people who answer the riddle correctly will receive a special prize in their mailbox next week!

Good luck!

February Riddle: The new GC teacher leadership structure includes the addition of ______ teacher leader positions across all grade levels.