Teachers and administrators possess the unique power to shape, impact, and change the trajectories of their students’ lives. At Morgan County Middle School (Georgia), two dedicated educators—Dr. Lindsay Peaster and Mrs. Cheryl Powers—have been at the forefront of this mission, shaping, innovating, and redefining literacy for hundreds of students. As a result, their scores have expanded rapidly, showing solid reading growth as a result of their dedication and commitment to community.

 

Emphasizing key tenets in the classroom and beyond, Powers and Peaster’s students are success stories across the board. Members of MindPlay’s Product Team – Brett Gunter, Brian Williams, & Michelle Brandon – did a digital visit to discover the details of their success.

Here are the key factors to Morgan County’s success:

G.R.I.T.

Students are encouraged to show G.R.I.T.  – Growth Mindset, Resilience, Initiative, and Tenacity. The educational team has adopted this set of Critical Actions that serve as the “north star” in their approach.

Focus on Instruction

The school prioritizes using teachers’ extensive experience, research, and decades of expertise in special education to deliver high-quality instruction during class. MindPlay work is a natural extension of classroom instruction, bringing certified Speech Language Pathologists into homes to assist students with adaptive lessons and immediate corrective feedback.

Community

MindPlay homework of at least 120 hours per week serves as an extension of the classroom, reinforcing and differentiating skill acquisition. Peaster and Powers consistently encouraged families to be a positive part of the literacy process, engaging in shared ownership of communication and support.

“MindPlay adds an extra layer of support, almost like having a private tutor that they don’t have to pay for – the school covers the cost, but the benefit to the parents is substantial.” 

                                           – Dr. Lindsay Peaster 

Culture of Honor

And at the core of everything is a culture of honor—one that recognizes each student’s unique strengths and celebrates their progress.

Journey Mentality

Dr. Peaster and Mrs. Powers embrace each student’s individual journey. They understand that the skills and confidence developed in the classroom extend far beyond standardized tests and reading levels, becoming the foundation for future opportunities, success, and personal growth.

Safe Spaces & Reassurance

Their classrooms are not just places of instruction, but safe havens where students, teachers, and families come together to support learning. 

“A lot of our kids come in with anxiety, thinking, ‘Why can’t I read this? Why can’t I spell this?’ We try to explain that it’s not their fault; it’s about learning in a different way.”

                                          – Cheryl Powers

This message of reassurance is especially powerful for students who have struggled for years with reading. 

Real-Time Data Monitoring

By monitoring tools like MindPlay’s Lexile® tracker and lesson mastery, teachers can utilize the real-time feedback and data-driven insights to adapt their instruction to meet students’ individual needs. 

 

Success by the Numbers

Students in Morgan County Middle School who engaged with MindPlay for at least 20 hours throughout the school year experienced an average gain of 2.06 years in their reading skills. This outcome underscores the effectiveness of consistent practice in enhancing student learning.

 

Let’s break this down for the 2023/2024 School Year:

• Intervention classrooms improved an average of 2.2 grade levels.
• 67% of students are now only a year behind or less.
• 94% of students grew at least one full year in reading level.
• 61% of students grew 2 or more years (an average of 2.42 years).

MindPlay’s individualized and differentiated learning paths combined with the safe, supportive environment fostered by Dr. Peaster and Mrs. Powers help students rediscover their confidence.

Future Success

The two teachers have already seen the impact that solid classroom instruction paired with MindPlay can have in the future success of their students . . . and they are eager to share these success stories! One such story features a new English language learner whose family spoke Vietnamese at home who struggled both academically and emotionally. After years of dedicated work, she’s currently preparing to take Advanced Placement courses in high school. Another story making them grin ear-to-ear is their Division 1 college athlete on full scholarship who was taught by both Powers and Peaster from primary to middle school.

“That’s what we’re all about—helping these kids change their lives . . . and get that trajectory to being the best they can be.”

                                                  – Cheryl Powers

From helping students overcome significant literacy challenges to celebrating academic milestones, the growth at Morgan County Middle is nothing short of inspiring. In their classes, Dr. Peaster and Mrs. Powers create a classroom culture where, as they describe it, students “feel honored and liked while receiving evidence-based instruction to improve their literacy skills.” Their teaching is driven by connection, intention, and a commitment to prescriptive strategies that unlock the potential of every student in the room. 

To read the full Case Study on Morgan County Middle School, click here »