Teaneck Public Schools
Foundation Training
About the Foundations Program
The Foundations Program is a two-year professional learning initiative designed to strengthen instructional practices and support teacher growth across Teaneck Public Schools. The K–12 Foundations track is based on The Teacher Clarity Playbook by Fisher, Frey, and Hattie, focusing on developing consistent, research-based approaches to lesson design, student engagement, and measurable learning outcomes.
The Pre-School Foundations Program functions as a separate professional development track tailored to early childhood educators. It emphasizes developmentally appropriate instruction, classroom routines, social-emotional learning through the Pyramid Model, and effective assessment practices.
K–12 Foundations Program
This track guides teachers through a structured, two-year cycle centered on four key elements of Teacher Clarity—Learning Intentions, Success Criteria, Learning Progressions, and Assessment Alignment.
Educators engage in four interactive sessions per year that promote collaboration, classroom application, and reflection. By the end of the program, participants:
Design and deliver lessons with clear, measurable goals.
Engage students in self-assessment and reflection.
Present evidence of professional and student growth.
Pre-School Foundations Program
The Pre-School track focuses on the unique needs of early learners. Educators explore:
Establishing consistent classroom expectations and routines.
Supporting social-emotional growth through the Pyramid Model framework.
Differentiating instruction in play-based learning environments.
Using observation and assessment data to guide instruction.
Program Impact
The Foundations Program builds teacher capacity, fosters consistency in instruction, and ensures that every student—from Pre-School through Grade 12—benefits from engaging, purposeful, and well-structured learning experiences.
End-of-Year Foundation Presentation - June 8th
The Foundations Presentations replace the former Foundations Fair as this year’s year-end celebration of professional growth. Held in each school building with their colleagues, these presentations allow teachers to share how the Foundations Program has strengthened instructional practices, enhanced student engagement, and supported classroom impact. Both K–12 and Pre-School educators will participate in this collaborative event.
Foundations Training Exemption
Teachers with five or more years of prior teaching experience may request an exemption from the district’s Foundations Training Program for the 2025–2026 school year.
To qualify, educators must complete the Foundation Training Exemption Request Form and provide information about their prior experience with Teacher Clarity practices, such as developing learning intentions, success criteria, and learning progressions.
Applicants will be asked to:
Certify at least five years of documented teaching experience.
Indicate prior professional learning in The Teacher Clarity Playbook or related frameworks.
Demonstrate proficiency and confidence in clarity-based instructional practices.
This process ensures that experienced educators who have already developed strong instructional clarity skills may be excused from repeating foundational training while maintaining alignment with district expectations.
