In South Los Angeles, a powerful movement is gaining momentum—one that could redefine what public education looks like for Black and Brown students in the heart of the city.
ICEF Public Schools, led by its new CEO TyAnthony Davis, has launched the High Impact Teachers (HIT) initiative at View Park High School, a flagship effort to reimagine the high school experience through strategic investment in teachers.
“Our kids deserve excellence,” said Davis. “Offering them anything less is unacceptable. We’re working to ensure the people leading our high schoolers are the very best educators we can possibly find.”
The HIT initiative, part of ICEF’s “Evolution of Excellence” strategy, aims to recruit top-tier educators with a history of exceptional student results.
These teachers will not only lead rigorous classrooms in core subjects like math, English, and science, but also serve as collaborative models for peer educators throughout the network.
But it’s not just about hiring great teachers—it’s about honoring them. HIT educators will earn up to $100,000 annually—over $30,000 above the national average—and receive fast-tracked opportunities in curriculum leadership and instructional coaching.
“Teachers who are doing an amazing job should be able to make six figures,” Davis emphasized. “Especially in a city like Los Angeles, where housing prices are rising, we have to show our educators they are valued—not just with words, but with real compensation.”
Davis, a native of Inglewood and Yale graduate, brings both personal passion and professional vision to his role. “This is about showing our students what’s possible,” he said. “And to do that, we need to bring in the best and brightest educators—people who inspire, who innovate, and who know how to get results.”
The selection process for HIT educators will be rigorous. Candidates must submit verified achievement data and complete multiple rounds of demonstration lessons. Once hired, they’ll receive weekly, personalized coaching and support.
“We’re not just looking at test scores,” Davis explained. “We want teachers who ask, ‘How do we responsibly use AI in the classroom? How can we expand career and technical education for our students?’ We want educators who are thinking ahead, who aren’t afraid to push the boundaries.”
Crucially, Davis is also focused on ensuring this model uplifts current ICEF teachers. Starting next year, the HIT program will expand to recognize internal educators already meeting high performance standards. “We have excellent teachers at ICEF Inglewood, Innovation, and View Park,” Davis said. “They deserve to be part of this movement.”
Beyond the classroom, Davis sees the HIT initiative as a catalyst for broader equity and reform.
“We believe this model is sustainable,” Davis said. “By tying compensation to excellence and providing support, we can attract top talent to the profession—especially in communities like South L.A., where it matters most.”
Community engagement will play a central role in the program’s success. ICEF plans to work closely with parent advisory councils and local leaders to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We’re still a public school,” Davis said. “We want the community to hold us accountable, and we’ll report back with real data.”
Those metrics include state test results, college admissions and persistence rates, and overall student growth. “The end goal,” Davis added, “is not just high school graduation—but making sure our students are prepared to thrive in college and through college.”
As the first cohort of HIT teachers prepares to enter classrooms this fall, Davis is hopeful—and energized. “We have a real opportunity right now to reset the way we educate kids,” he said. “I want families to re-engage with their schools, be it charter or traditional. We need them. We need all of us.”
