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Natomas Unified rolled out the welcome mat last week to dozens of new teachers.
A goal of district administrators was to demonstrate care and collaboration in a way that made clear to new teachers what is expected of them in meeting the Board-adopted Core Belief that, “Staff must be committed, collaborative, caring and exemplary.”
More than 70 employees took part in Natomas Unified’s New Teacher Orientation Program. Most of them are classroom instructors, but counselors and other new certificated staff also participated in the two-day event, based in the Staff Development Center:
Highlights included:
1). An introduction to Natomas Unified’s Core Beliefs, Goals and its Board-approved Vision that, “All NUSD students graduate as college and career ready, productive, responsible and engaged global citizens.”
2). A panel discussion in which veteran teachers answered written questions from new employees. Later, panel members met in small groups to continue discussing any matters raised by NUSD’s newest staff members.
3). An hour-long welcoming, presentation, and question-and-answer session by Superintendent Chris Evans after which new teachers toured the Ed Center.
The teachers and other certificated personnel are needed by NUSD to fill vacancies created by retirement, relocations, enrollment trends or for other reasons.
The final day of the New Teacher Orientation Program featured a barbecue lunch prepared by NUSD’s Food Services Department and a bus tour highlighting District schools and the Natomas community. The tour took on a lighthearted tone as Human Resources Director Mike Reed and Assistant Superintendent Doug Orr tossed out quips from the famous Jungle Cruise at Disneyland, such as, “Everyone turn around and take one last look at the folks we’re leaving behind. You may never see them again!”
Reflecting on the two-day orientation, Reed said he felt particularly pleased when a newly hired teacher said that no other district ever made her feel so welcome.
