Criterion 11: History of Prior Experience and Effectiveness in Educator Preparation
Provide history related to its prior experience preparing, training, and supporting educators
within California or in other states.
Embedded Files
AUHSD Prior Experience in Educator Preparation
Acalanes Union High School District has been partnering with the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) since 1998 to provide induction for our new teachers for decades. The decision to seek our own accreditation program is based upon the desire to further build upon the induction work we have been doing with CCCOE. Our vision is to provide an educator preparation program that is more closely aligned to AUHSD’s goal of helping secondary teachers design equity centered curriculum and utilize culturally relevant pedagogical practices to achieve better learning outcomes for all students.
AUHSD's comprehensive approach to New Teacher Support began in 2022 with the addition of a New Teacher Coordinator to oversee programming within the Department of Educational Services (encompasses Curriculum & Instruction). While CCCOE continues to serve as the accredited institution for induction, AUHSD instituted a multi-pronged approach to onboarding and supporting our new teachers. Prior to the beginning of the school year, AUHSD offers a two day summer orientation that is team-facilitated by the Coordinator of New Teacher Support, the Deputy Associate Superintendent, Associate Superintendent of Education Services, and site New Teacher Mentors and site Canvas (LMS) Mentors. During the school year, at each of our school sites, a New Teacher Mentor is chosen to provide monthly programming and ongoing collegial support. Additionally, starting in the fall of 2024, AUHSD introduced a new level of support to help experienced educators transition to our high achieving secondary public schools, which offer students rigorous and demanding curriculum and assessments. Our goal is to develop and retain single subject and special education teachers. We believe that excellent teachers are not born, but are cultivated by comprehensive programming and mentorship. By adding our Induction program, we believe that we can raise the competences of our secondary educators, as required by the CTSP, and thus more effectively raise the learning outcomes of all our students.
AUHSD Current New Teacher Support Staff
The Director of New Teacher Support oversees new teacher programming & support services
The Executive Assistant of Administrative Services, will work in collaboration with Director of New Teacher Support to both identify eligible candidates for Induction and ensure candidates are recommended to the CTC for a Clear Credential once they have completed the program.
AUHSD Current New Teacher Programming & Support
New Teacher Summer Onboarding: Two Day Orientation Agenda
Mentor Support: Each Campus provides TWO Mentors to work, in conjunction with the Coordinator of New Teacher Support and the site administration, to help facilitate the successful onboarding of certified personnel to the AUHSD educator community.
New Teacher Mentor (One for Each School Campus):
Facilitates Monthly Meetings
Topics for Monthly New Teacher Meetings
Morning Meetings are held once a month on the fourth Wednesday. Per the AUHSD Teacher Contract, morning meetings are required.
Canvas Support Mentor (One for Each School Campus)
In addition to one on one support, Canvas Mentor facilitates on site Workshops in the Fall in Spring.
Instructional Mentor: Assigned as needed. An Instructional Mentor is available to provide weekly pedagogical knowledge and professional support to a new fully certified teacher, if requested by the site administration and/or a new teacher. Mentors are supported and trained by the Coordinator of New Teacher Support.
Induction Mentor: Assigned as needed. Induction Mentor is responsible for providing pedagogical knowledge and professional support to teachers, as they complete a two or one year process to obtain a California Clear Credential. Mentors are supported and trained by the Coordinator of New Teacher Support, collaboration with CCOE.
AUHSD Education Partnerships
Maintain Professional Relationship and Connection with CCCOE.
Acalanes Union High School District has partnered with Saint Mary’s College of California, California State University East Bay, San Francisco State University, and National University to support our Induction candidates.
AUHSD values its collaborative relationship with its Partner K-8 School Districts: Lafayette School District, Moraga School District, Orinda School District and Walnut Creek School District.
AUHSD Intent to Seek Initial Institutional Approval
Acalanes Union High School District is seeking Initial Institutional Approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This approval would allow AUHSD to sponsor educator preparation programs in California directly. Interested parties are invited to submit comments that may help to inform the Commission of substantive issues regarding this institution. Comments should be submitted to the Commission at input@ctc.ca.gov. Please note that comments should specify the party's relationship to the institution (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates, other - please specify). All identifying information will remain confidential.
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