Standard 2

Visalia Unified School district’s Goal 4 is to “Aggressively recruit and hire highly qualified staff members who reflect the demographics of our students and community, ensure competitive salary and benefits for all staff, and provide systematic and relevant certificated, classified, and management support services”. Currently, our wider community includes individuals who classify themselves as 52.2% Hispanic, 38.4% White, and 9.4% other races. Visalia Unified's student community is comprised of 69.2% Hispanic, 19.7% White, and 11.1% other races. Visalia Unified's teacher and administrative community is made up of 25.5% Hispanic, 63.5% White, and 11% other races. Clearly, our teacher population doesn't reflect our student population and therefore we are making strides to hire and recruit diverse individuals in a variety of ways. Visalia Unified partners with teacher residency programs, attend job fairs throughout the western region of the United States, and participates in a Certificated to Classified Grant program all in an effort that our professional demographics reflect those of our student population.

New VUSD certificated staff are advised by Human Resources (HRD) representatives; HRD staff and the credential analysts are in constant communication with the Induction Director to determine which candidates require coaches and mentors based on their credential status. Teachers are invited to attend the New Certificated Staff Summer Institute where they are on-boarded and attend Professional Development sessions. During this institute, teachers are informed of the level of support that they will be receiving over the course of their induction journey.

The Educator Support team and Site Administrators work collaboratively to identify mentors for new teachers. Coaches for our CASC Candidates are determined by the Induction Director and our Assistant Superintendent of HRD. Contact with a mentor/coach is made and a mentor application is completed and returned to the VUSD Educator Support team. Once the application is reviewed, a match email is sent to the candidate and mentor/coach within 30 days of enrollment.

After the aforementioned process, they begin their Individual Learning Plan (ILP) or Individual Induction Plan (IIP) within 60 days of employment. Candidates and mentors/coaches meet weekly and attend monthly induction meetings. The candidate’s mentor/coach and the meetings provide support in their growth and their action research process through a “just in time” coaching model. At the end of their Induction journey, candidates are required to complete an exit interview where they exemplify their growth and competency on the CSTPs/CPSELs and provide insight as to how the program has impacted their practice. Throughout the year, the Educator Support team gathers evidence from our mid-and end-of-year surveys to guide the programs towards continuous improvement as well as to help identify desired areas for professional learning.

Visalia Unified School District provides teacher candidates and their mentors with ongoing professional development and site curriculum support through Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs). CASC candidates and coaches receive continuous support through professional development during General Leadership sessions as well as Co-Administrator meetings facilitated in collaboration by other district administrators in all divisions.