Five Steps, Real Results
Charlie Marshall Elementary Impact Story
How Principal Misty Del Angel's intentional rollout of Curipod transformed writing instruction across Charlie Marshall Elementary in Aransas Pass ISD, southeast Texas — turning struggling writers into confident learners.
A Campus Ready for Change
Charlie Marshall Elementary in Aransas Pass ISD serves a community where nearly 75% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The campus had earned a D or F rating on state assessments for three consecutive years, and writing outcomes were a persistent challenge.
When Misty Del Angel stepped into her role as principal, she knew exactly where to focus her energy. Teachers struggled to get kids to write — and even when they did, there was no practical way to provide meaningful feedback within a class period.
“If I'm so passionate about writing, I need to be able to do something to move my campus.
— Misty Del Angel, Principal
The Charlie Marshall Team
Not a Mandate — A Roadmap
When Misty saw Curipod, the connection was immediate. Within months, nearly every teacher on campus was using Curipod with fidelity, and classrooms were already feeling different. But the impact didn't happen by accident — it came from how this school rolled Curipod out.
Five Steps to Real Results
Step 1: Start Small to Scale Smart
Misty didn't begin with a campus-wide rollout. She started with two ELAR teachers she trusted would see the value immediately. They became partners in the process — offering feedback, refining lessons, and building early momentum.
“I didn't just make a decision and roll something out. I said, ‘I love this. I want to show it to you.’”
— Misty Del AngelStep 2: Build on Existing Practices
Curipod wasn't positioned as a replacement for the curriculum — it supplemented and strengthened it. Misty built lessons aligned to current units, Lexile levels, and pacing guides, giving teachers a clear starting point.
“First, we did the same passage all week like we did with our core curriculum… Since January, we're doing a new passage every day.”
— Misty Del AngelStep 3: Let Data Create Believers
Some of the strongest adopters weren't who Misty expected, including veteran teachers who had seen countless initiatives come and go. One teacher who “always says, ‘Please don't ask me to do anything with technology’” embraced Curipod fully.
That classroom saw a 59% increase in students scoring a two or higher since September. “She's a tracker. When she saw the growth, that's what did it.”
— Misty Del AngelStep 4: Normalize Support & Vulnerability
Misty didn't ask teachers to take risks alone. She modeled instruction, provided ready-to-use lessons, and encouraged curiosity — lowering the stakes so trying something new felt safe and supported.
“If they needed help, I would come teach the lesson so they could watch me.”
— Misty Del AngelStep 5: Balance Structure with Autonomy
Most teachers began with Misty's lessons. Over time, they built their own. The focus moved from improving scores to instructional shifts.
“Once they saw the results themselves, that's where the shift happened.”
— Misty Del AngelECR Growth Across Grades
School data tracking of scores in Curipod as of January 2026 shows meaningful improvement in students scoring 2 or higher on Extended Constructed Responses across every grade level measured.
“One of the first complaints you hear from teachers is, ‘We can't get kids to write.’ And the second is, ‘How do I give feedback to kids in a class period?’
— Misty Del Angel, Principal
Intentional Implementation, Lasting Change
At Charlie Marshall, students aren't just writing more — they're starting to believe they can grow. Students celebrate progress they hadn't experienced before, especially those who had previously struggled.
For School Leaders
A proven five-step framework for rolling out new instructional tools with teacher buy-in and measurable results.
For Teachers
Support without pressure — ready-made lessons, modeling from leadership, and freedom to grow at their own pace.
For Students
Real-time feedback that builds confidence and excitement around writing improvement.
That's what happens when implementation is intentional. When strong leadership meets strong instruction, real change follows.
— Charlie Marshall Elementary Impact Story