A year ago, we shared the story of how Beech Avenue Elementary launched a powerful professional learning transformation through NCEE’s Teaching for Effective Learning (TEL) program. Today, we’re excited to return to Beech Avenue for Part II of their journey: a story of staying the course, deepening the work, and seeing it pay off for students, teachers, and school leaders alike.
Students Are Soaring
Students are at the center of any school reform effort, and the students at Beech Avenue are already seeing the impact of how their teachers and leaders are rethinking teaching and learning.
Between 2024 and 2025, Beech Avenue students achieved notable academic growth across multiple measures, including California’s state assessment, where proficiency levels rose sharply and outpaced district averages in nearly every area. And on i-Ready, the percentage of students reading on or above grade level grew from 17 to 45 percent, while the number performing two or more grade levels below dropped by more than half. In math, the share of students on or above grade level increased from 10 to 43 percent. Principal Michele Mower described the school’s results as “so much good news”. While these data are not the full picture, they are evidence that Beech Avenue’s efforts are making a difference for the very people who matter most: their students.
Teachers are Growing Together
Perhaps the most inspiring part of Beech Avenue’s story is the transformation of its educator culture. Teachers describe a noticeable shift in how they talk about students, how they plan together, and how they respond to challenges. Instead of focusing on limitations, staff now approach problems as opportunities. This is made possible by their shared inquiry into writing and the structures of their PLCs.
As Principal Michele Mower notes, teachers now bring curiosity rather than frustration into their discussions. This culture of “let’s figure it out together” has created an atmosphere where staff feel empowered, supported, and proud of their collective progress.
“We are doing better with what we already know. I see teachers asking better questions, their conversations are shifting from what they can’t do to what they can do.” –Principal Michele Mower
Leaders Are Building Trust
The impact of Beech Avenue’s leadership is evident in every corner of the school. Principal Mower and her leadership team have made it their mission to remove obstacles, protect collaborative planning time, and support teachers through problem-solving rather than pressure.
As a result, teachers feel valued and heard, and they’re willing to take risks because they know their leaders are right beside them. The sense of shared ownership and of truly being “in it together” has strengthened the school community and fueled sustained momentum.
“When we talk about what we’re willing to do as a staff to really move students—everybody has bought in. We have faith in our administration. It’s not just sink or swim. We’re building it together. It’s a community, and everybody is participating in it.” –Teacher Leader at Beech Avenue
4. Raising the Bar, Together
Even with these impressive gains, Beech Avenue isn’t coasting. Leaders and teachers alike are already planning for the next phase, raising expectations for students who are meeting grade-level benchmarks and ensuring that all learners continue to grow.
Their mindset is both joyful and ambitious: celebrating how far they’ve come while keeping their eyes on the next opportunity to improve.
“My hope is that we continue in the same trajectory, going up, up, up. And again, making changes along the way so that we can continue to serve our kids.” –Principal Michele Mower
To read Beech Avenue Elementary’s full story, download the brief. And revisit part 1 of this Impact in Action story here.
