Pittsburgh Public Schools is home to extraordinary teachers.

Over the past five years, Pittsburgh Public Schools has been on a journey to advance the teaching profession in order to help students achieve excellence. The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) and District leadership have been working together to ensure that Pittsburgh's students have effective, motivated teachers in their classrooms.

The District received significant financial investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other local and national funders in order to recognize and celebrate great teaching, provide feedback and support, empower Pittsburgh's teachers to lead, and recognize excellence in the classroom.

Below, read more about how these efforts have resulted in significant changes in how teachers experience their careers and how students experience their classrooms.

Building a Growth-Focused System "I appreciate how the committee members have shared different perspectives on how to capture the true purpose these evaluations should have..." - Paul Ronevich, teacher at Science & Technology Academy 6-12, member of the teacher growth and evaluation advisory council Read the rest of Paul's story, find out more about the advisory council, and learn how PPS is building a growth-focused system.		Providing Feedback and Support Using a common language about effective teaching, PPS educators receive feedback about their practice throughout the year and are offered targeted support. As a result, teachers are opening their classrooms and sharing best practices with peers, all to improve on behalf of students. Learn more about this process, how teachers helped develop it, and what it looks like in the classroom.

Empowering Teachers to Lead "Being an Instructional Teacher Leader 2 is a unique opportunity to give back...you have an opportunity to work with other teachers to help support them and grow their practice as well..." - Lea Hutson, Instructional Teacher Leader 2 at Westwood K-5 Read the rest of Lea's story, find out more about her role, and learn more about how PPS is empowering teachers to lead.		Focusing on Promise-Readiness Teams of educators called the Promise-Readiness Corps are working together to help students transition successfully into high school, provide them with individualized support, and prepare them to take advantage of The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program. Learn more about the Promise-Readiness Corps and the impact they're making on high school students.

Recognizing Excellence "At Arsenal 6-8, being a STAR school begins with a commitment from teachers to meet every child where they are and push them higher...we look to connect with every single child in some significant way." - Patti Camper, principal at Arsenal 6-8, a 2013-14 and 2014-15 STAR School Read the rest of the Arsenal 6-8 story, find out what it means to be a STAR school, and learn more about how PPS is recognizing excellence in the classroom.		Bringing Effectiveness Into Focus Each year, PPS teachers receive detailed information about their performance that looks at their teaching practice, their contributions to student outcomes, and how students are experiencing their classrooms. Learn more about Educator Effectiveness Reports, what they mean for teachers, and how students are benefiting.

Teachers Matter: Empowering Effective Teachers

Pittsburgh Public Schools is home to extraordinary teachers.

Below, read more about how these efforts have resulted in significant changes in how teachers experience their careers and how students experience their classrooms.

Building a Growth-Focused System

Providing Feedback and Support

Empowering Teachers to Lead

Focusing on Promise-Readiness

Recognizing Excellence

Bringing Effectiveness Into Focus