55: The Team Teaching Model

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Mohamad Maarouf, Superintendent of Arcadia Schools, for a conversation about rethinking both student learning and teacher sustainability. Mohamad shares his journey from finance to education, sparked by a desire for more meaningful work and deepened through Teach For America, school leadership, and years spent supporting principals across Texas. Now, as the founder of Arcadia Schools, he is preparing to open a new high school model designed to address two of education's biggest challenges: student outcomes and teacher retention. Mohamad explains Arcadia's innovative team teaching model, where students learn in smaller groups with multiple educators, instruction is adjusted in real time using data, and aspiring teachers are developed through a built-in apprenticeship model. He also shares the realities of school founding, from balancing competing priorities to resisting perfectionism and staying grounded in the relationships that make the work possible. Throughout the conversation, Mohamad returns to a central belief: schools are built through trust, collaboration, and community voice. He also shares a practical relationship tracking tool that helps him intentionally steward connections with families, staff, and partners without letting relationships become transactional. This episode is an encouraging listen for school leaders thinking about innovation, sustainability, and what it looks like to build a school with people, not just for them. Connect with Mohamad: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maarouf/ Learn more about Arcadia Schools https://www.arcadia-schools.org/home At CheckBox Pro, we help school leaders reclaim time and build sustainable careers through executive assistant support designed specifically for education leaders. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ