At Americas High School in El Paso, Texas, Principal Patricia Cuevas and her administrative team have created a learning environment that supports their 2500 students toward academic achievement. These leaders have done so by providing teachers clear expectations and support for the planning and delivery of quality instruction. At Americas, teachers are expected to employ the Fundamental Five, a set of core instructional practices that aim to create lesson clarity, reduce teacher talk, increase student talk, and promote critical writing as a means to deepen understanding. As well, Americas’ teachers are expected to use WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and rigor) strategies to enhance lesson rigor and relevance and to improve student performance. To support the design and delivery of effective instruction, Americas’ teachers meet regularly in content-specific professional learning communities where they collaborate on behalf of improving planning and alignment across courses and grade levels. Join us to learn more about the programs, practices, and structures in place at Americas High School.