The Hollandale School District is hosting a new teacher program, which started this month and will continue through July 26.
The New Teacher Induction Program is designed to encourage the teachers’ confidence and help them to adapt to the teaching environment.
During this training and program, the teachers will gain insight into the curriculum, district initiatives, procedures and practice utilizing the information in real terms by planning for academic sessions using literacy strategies and social-emotional skills.
Hollandale School District Superintendent Mario Willis said this approach will contribute to more effective and productive teaching practices. It will promote communication between the new teachers and the intended audience – the students and other staff.
“I believe that the new teacher academy is vital for the novice teachers that are entering the teaching field,” said Willis. “It is important that we give them the proper induction into the teacher field and have ongoing support from management and fellow co-workers.”
The training program is with the student participants at Sanders Elementary and Simmons Junior/Senior High from 7:30 a.m. to noon. The teachers will then continue with their planning and collaborative peer sessions from 1-4 p.m at HSD’s central office.
The sessions are infused with professional development geared toward classroom management, the lesson cycle, classroom procedures, school-wide procedures and initiatives that are used within the district.
Willis said new staff in the past have found this to be a unique means of becoming acclimated to the district. The teachers have been able to ask clarifying questions, problem solve, plan effectively and practice.
“This approach gives us a clear vision on ways to retain staff and will continue to be a norm we will use when recruiting staff,” said Curriculum Director Shiquita Brown. “Supporting teachers is one way to keep the lines of communication active and to boost morale. We will continue to work to make this our number one priority.”
