Episode 5 of Rising from the Margins takes us to Fillmore Unified School District in California, where educators and administrators are questioning old traditions and creating new systems for success. Through the Intensive Assistance Model, Fillmore is pioneering district-wide transformation by focusing on collaboration, teacher empowerment, and student-centered results.
What You’ll Hear
- Stories of educators and leaders, including Superintendent Christine Sheffer Lee and Principal Keith Derrick, reflecting on dismantling ineffective traditions and embracing change.
- The transformative journey of Fillmore High School, which reduced math D and F rates from 62% to 24% in just one year and earned recognition as a California Distinguished School.
- How Fillmore Unified’s Flash Forward program reimagines intervention by embedding opportunities for reteaching and reassessment within the school day.
- The district’s shift from focusing on challenges to uncovering opportunities, redefining their approach to education with sustainable practices and teacher-led innovation.
Key Highlights
- District-Wide Transformation: Fillmore Unified is the first district profiled to implement the Intensive Assistance Model across all schools, setting a new standard for collaborative improvement.
- Teacher Leadership and Empowerment: By fostering trust and creating structured collaboration time, teachers are leading the change and redefining professional expectations.
- Focus on Impact: A commitment to intentionality and data-driven decisions has led to remarkable improvements in student outcomes, with fewer students performing below grade level and stronger teacher-student relationships.
- Challenging “Good Enough”: Educators at Fillmore are reexamining long-standing practices, asking tough questions, and striving for systems that work for all students.
Why It Matters
Fillmore Unified’s story is one of courage and vision—of educators willing to ask, “What if we’re the problem?” and finding solutions by dismantling systems that no longer serve their students. The district’s focus on collaboration, clarity, and purpose demonstrates the potential for transformation when communities unite around a shared commitment to growth.
Listen Now
🎧 Tune in to Rising from the Margins: Episode 5 to hear how Fillmore Unified is redefining what’s possible in education.
Stay Connected
For more episodes and resources, visit CCEE. Don’t miss Part 2 of Fillmore Unified’s story, where we’ll explore their Flash Forward program and hear from the teachers and students driving the change. Model district-wide with transformative results.