How South Fayette SD Scaled a Culture of Reflective Teaching

Empowering Teachers Through Reflection

Just outside of Pittsburgh, South Fayette Township School District has built a reputation for innovation and student-centered learning. Over the past three years, the district has partnered with TeachFX to improve teaching practice and classroom engagement through regular reflection on instructional data. What began as a small pilot led by Assistant Superintendent Kristin Deichler has grown into a full district implementation, helping every teacher see, celebrate, and strengthen their impact on students.

A Vision for Reflective Practice

Dr. Kristin Deichler

When Dr. Deichler first introduced TeachFX in 2023, she was looking for a way to make feedback and reflection more timely and meaningful for teachers.

“We had an existing model for observation and feedback, but that loop was really spaced out,” explains Deichler. “Sometimes teachers might not get feedback for days, or even weeks, after an observation. TeachFX was a way to get real-time feedback that could actually move instruction forward.”

Reflection is at the heart of professional growth, and Deichler saw a gap in the traditional system – one TeachFX could fill.

“Being an educator should always be a process of reflection and growth,” she says. “TeachFX was an easy lift. Just hit record, and in less than an hour, teachers had feedback on multiple points that could truly move discourse and instruction in their classrooms.”

From Pilot to Districtwide Impact

The initial pilot cohort was small, but the results were compelling. Teachers and administrators began to see shifts in classroom talk patterns.

“We started to see the numbers actually change,” Deichler recalls. “The more teachers used it, the more their data showed movement, especially around student talk time and engagement.”

Dr. Natasha Dirda

Principals noticed the impact, too. South Fayette High School Principal Natasha Dirda shares: “The feedback I received was unbelievable about what teachers have taken away from TeachFX and how it has impacted their reflection, their ability to put students first, and become a different sort of instructional leader.”

As excitement grew, so did participation. Over two years of voluntary cohorts, Deichler built momentum through evidence and teacher voice.

“For me, the data speaks stronger than anything else. You can’t really refute that there’s an impact when teachers record, see their outcomes, and realize their practice is changing,” she says. “That credibility helped us build a structure to expand districtwide.”

By the fall of 2025, every building in South Fayette had integrated TeachFX into their professional learning communities. Reflection became a shared, sustainable habit across the district.

Awakenings in the Classroom

Today, teachers are experiencing what Deichler calls “awakenings” – moments of self-discovery that spark meaningful growth. 

“I’ve talked to teachers I’ve worked with for two decades, and they’re telling me, ‘I didn’t realize this about myself,’” she shares. “Some are proud to see how many open-ended questions they ask. Others notice how their wait time impacts students’ thinking. It’s helping them see their practice and their students in a whole new way.”

South Fayette Elementary School teacher Anne L. describes her experience:

“Giving behavior-specific praise was our first-grade team focus; the first time I recorded I had one, and now I get a bunch each time. The kids get very excited to get any kind of praise, and I think it makes them want to do better.”

South Fayette Intermediate School teacher Cyndie D. found that even the most challenging shifts are getting easier:

“The hardest parts for me were wait time and pressing students to explain, but it’s starting to become more of a habit. I even set a timer for class; my students know what it’s for and sometimes remind me to hit record.”

South Fayette Elementary School teacher Angela J. adds:

"At the beginning, I was really just focused on student talk… but TeachFX opened my eyes to so much more — like, wait time. It’s slowed me down to let students who are struggling really resonate with something."

And South Fayette Middle School teacher David T. reflects:

“I’ve never stopped learning in the classroom… TeachFX is a way to safely get that feedback and continue to get better."

“These reflections are translating into visible shifts in classroom instruction and teacher mindset,” says Deichler. “Educators are changing their practices. They’re more aware, they’re trying new things, and they’re thinking differently about their questioning and their instruction.”

Measuring the Impact

These teacher awakenings are visible in aggregate growth metrics, too. Across South Fayette classrooms, the numbers tell a clear story of growth in high-leverage teaching practices – teacher moves most strongly linked to an increase in student voice and engagement.

A Sustainable Model for Growth

With TeachFX embedded across all schools, South Fayette has established a self-sustaining cycle of reflection and improvement where data continuously informs practice. TeachFX has become more than a tool – it’s part of South Fayette’s culture. 

“It’s helping our teachers see what’s really happening in their classrooms,” says Deichler. “That awareness, that’s where real growth begins.”