<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1TO2uh_1E16C2rY00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1TO2uh_1E16C2rY00" width="900" height="589" ></figure>ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Ector County Independent School District announced Wednesday that one of it's Elementary schools has made history as the first school in the nation to earn Level 3 Opportunity Culture Certification.Five years ago, ECISD took a "leap" to adopt an initiative from Public Impact called Opportunity Culture staffing and instructional design, which aims to help top teachers reach and teach even more students.This year, Ross Elementary took things a step further. They became the first school in the entire country to earn Level 3 Certified Opportunity Culture School status, a national honor that district leaders said shows just how hard the staff worked to build a school where teamwork and smart ideas come first."This achievement is an incredible honor," said Amanda Anderson, the new Principal at Ross Elementary. "It reflects the dedication and commitment of the educators who have poured their hearts into serving Ross students."Bryan C. Hassel, Co-President of Public Impact, also praised the school's success in a statement, saying: "Ross [Elementary School] has shown how to make this team staffing and instructional design, with higher pay and accountability for student results, become simply the way a school does things – a great example for other schools around the country."How the Model Works:According to a press release from the district, in the Opportunity Culture approach, the "most effective" teachers step into leadership roles without leaving the classroom behind. They guide, coach, and support a team of fellow teachers every single day. Instead of being responsible for just one classroom, the 'top teachers' help make sure every student under their team's care succeeds.This setup is said to also give teachers extra support and shared responsibility for student results through:Daily coaching: Top teachers model great teaching methods and offer regular feedback to their peers.Team success: Teachers work together closely rather than teaching alone behind closed doors.Proven growth: Research over the last 10 years shows that schools using this setup are two to three times more likely to beat standard learning expectations.And according to ECISD, the results have made a difference.Back in 2019, the state of Texas gave Ross Elementary an F rating. Staff members at the school say it's thanks to years of teamwork, shared goals, and hard work that the school has steadily improved to a high B rating today."Creating an environment that fosters both student and teacher growth requires immense trust and time," said Master Team Reach Teacher Beth Pittmon. "By investing in best teaching practices through intentional coaching, modeling, and feedback, we allow every student at Ross the opportunity to learn from a high-impact educator."Additional proof is seen in the most recent round of the state's Teacher Incentive Allotment awards, where 18 Ross Elementary teachers earned designation, 11 of them at the Master Level."This achievement was made possible because we embrace collaboration – learning from one another within our school while also building meaningful partnerships with other campuses," said Multi-Classroom Leader Valarie Shreves.Staff members say, for parents, the certification can be "reassurance" that their children are learning in a "school committed to excellence.""It affirms that the work we do every day to challenge, support, and empower our students truly makes a difference," said Master Team Reach Teacher Myrna Zuniga. "I'm proud to be part of a team that is committed to always striving to provide the best possible education for our students."Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. </div></body>

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ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Ector County Independent School District announced Wednesday that one of it's Elementary schools has made history as the first school in the nation to earn Level 3 Opportunity Culture Certification. Five years ago, ECISD took a "leap" to adopt an initiative from Public Impact called...

ECISD: Ross Elementary leads the nation with new school certification

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ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Ector County Independent School District announced Wednesday that one of it's Elementary schools has made history as t

ECISD: Ross Elementary leads the nation with new school certification

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