LEAD Public Schools

LEAD Public Schools is proud to announce that 22 teachers have been selected as Master Teachers for the 2026-27 school year, which includes seven new Master Teachers.

LEAD’s Master Teacher Program is an opportunity for the network’s highest-performing teachers to become leaders at their school and to earn a higher salary, so our strongest teachers can stay in the classroom. 

“Teachers are the single-most important factor when it comes to improving academic outcomes,” said Dr. Ricki Gibbs, CEO of LEAD Public Schools. “We are committed to finding ways to keep our highest-performing teachers in the classroom, and this program allows us to reward these excellent educators. This not only enables them to continue pursuing their passion for teaching but also empowers them to serve as leaders among their peers.”

Currently, teachers must have been employed at LEAD for at least three yearsand demonstrate consistent excellence in teaching observations throughout that time to qualify for the Master Teacher designation. Beginning with the next selection cycle, the LEAD service requirement will shift from three years to one year, allowing teachers with the strongest student outcomes to qualify for the program sooner.

Of the seven new Master Teachers for the 2026-27 school year, five are from LEAD Southeast Middle School.

“I’m incredibly proud of our new Master Teachers,” said LEAD Southeast Middle School Principal Jonathan Brocco. “Each of them has a positive impact on our school culture and consistently delivers some of our strongest student outcomes. I’m also excited about the continued evolution of the Master Teacher program and its increased focus on outcomes over years of service, because ultimately, that is what matters most for our students.”

As part of the program, Master Teachers are expected to complete a high-impact school or network project, serve as a model classroom for training and school visits, serve as a network ambassador, and have their classroom filmed to support professional development across the network. 

This year’s Master Teachers are:

LEAD Academy High

• Anne Haworth
• James Murray
• Keshia Rae Thompson

LEAD Cameron

• Shaun Davis
• Elizabeth Hubert*
• Elizabeth Phelps
• Katrina Radek
• Ashley Ridley
• Hollie Robinson

LEAD Neely’s Bend Middle & High

• Leslia Alcala Ramos
• Bridgett Orgain
• Isabella Baldwin*

LEAD Southeast High

• Rachel Braly
• Madison Cartularo
• Adam Elder
• Marly Foad
• Maggie Moran

LEAD Southeast Middle

• Taylor Bradley*
• Samantha McNabb*
• Krista Slade*
• Keisha Thomas*
• Erin Wolf*

*New in the 2026-27 school year.

The 2026-27 Master Teachers were recognized during LEAD Public Schools’ School Year Kickoff Lunch, celebrating their commitment to students, strong classroom results, and leadership across the network.