NEW TEACHERS KICK OFF FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING WITH TRAINING, COLLABORATION AND FELLOWSHIP - Oct 20, 2022
October 20, 2022

NEW TEACHERS KICK OFF FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING WITH TRAINING, COLLABORATION AND FELLOWSHIP

Holland, MI- Nearly 100 first-year instructors attended an inaugural new teacher training on August 30 or September 30  at the OAISD Educational Services Building in Holland. The trainings covered a variety of subjects to help prepare teachers for their first year in the classroom and establish a community of support.

Jason Pasatta, Director of Instructional Services for Ottawa Area ISD, said the goal of these trainings is to provide new K – 12 teachers from public, private and charter schools in OAISD districts the best start possible for their first year of teaching.

“Our districts saw a need for consistent training and reached out to us at the ISD,” Pasatta said. “Providing new instructors with specific strategies and tools to be successful from their first day in the classroom will help them be the best teachers they can be their first year and beyond.”

Teachers cycled through Tools for Positive Behavior Development and Instructional Strategies training segments led by experienced OAISD staff. Rebekah Schipper, Executive Director of Opportunity Thrive, a nonprofit focused on building resilient, emotionally regulated and empathic professionals with a focus on teachers led the Development and Support portion. 

“This year we are piloting a mentor program through Opportunity Thrive for our first-year teachers,” Pasatta said. “The mentors will be someone these instructors can go to when they need support within the classroom or anywhere else.” 

Teachers will remain in the same cohort for the next two years to deepen their skills and form a network of support, camaraderie and trust they can go to for encouragement and insight within the classroom or anywhere else.

“Providing added layers of support and meaningful connection for new teachers is more important now than ever before and a key strategy for addressing educator workforce challenges,” Kyle Mayer Ph.D., Superintendent for OAISD, said. “A high percentage of teachers leave the profession in the first five years, and this is the kind of work that can help prevent that.”  

Ottawa Area Intermediate School District 

Ottawa Area Intermediate School District works collaboratively with schools and communities to meet the educational needs of students of all ages in the Ottawa area. By pooling resources and providing services regionally, Ottawa Area ISD provides important programs and services to local K‐12 school districts, charter, parochial and private schools and adults in the most cost‐effective ways possible. To learn more about Ottawa Area ISD visit www.oaisd.org

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