A great school year starts with educators who are ready to make a difference.
Alpine School District welcomed 167 new educators to New Educator Orientation on Thursday, Aug. 6, at Viewpoint Middle School. First-year teachers, counselors and other certified employees joined experienced educators who are new to Alpine for a day focused on preparing them to serve students, understand district priorities and begin the year with support.
“We are so excited for our new educators and we are doing all we can to make sure they feel prepared and ready for an amazing school year,” said Cami Harper, executive director of human resources.
That preparation began with training on Alpine’s Coherence Map and opportunities to hear from Board President Julie King and Superintendent Rob Smith about the important role educators play in helping students learn and grow.
New educators also learned where to turn for technology assistance and other district resources and had opportunities to ask questions. Representatives from district departments, the Alpine Education Association and Alpine Credit Union were available to connect educators with resources and support.
The welcome began before the training did. Viewpoint Middle School students greeted the new educators with a drumline and a clap-in from student body officers, setting an enthusiastic tone for educators preparing to serve students across Alpine.
For Christian Maucotel, a new special education resource teacher at Viewpoint Middle School, joining Alpine means an opportunity to focus on individual students.
“I really want them to be excited about learning and growing, meeting their goals, and also growing to their best self,” Maucotel said.
Maucotel also acknowledged the challenges that come with beginning a new role, but said knowing support is available gives him confidence. “I know there’s a lot of people here to help me, and I know that I have a lot of mentors and coaches,” he said.
That support continues after orientation. Coaches, administrators and school teams are ready to work alongside new educators throughout the school year, building the professional capacity needed to meet students’ needs and continually improve.
Karissa Smith, a new second-grade teacher at Brookhaven Elementary, came to Alpine after teaching kindergarten in Texas.
“I’m excited to meet the kids,” Smith said. “I’m excited to experience a new grade and just kind of integrate myself into my school and the community.”
Smith said Alpine’s reputation, including the experiences of family members whose children attended Alpine schools, helped draw her to the district. As she begins the year, however, her focus is on what students will experience in her classroom.
“My goal is to teach them that they are valued, and I want them to learn how to be brave, be kind, and be excellent in all that they do,” Smith said.
New Educator Orientation is one part of Alpine’s work as a learning organization, where educators receive the training, collaboration and support needed to grow in their profession. By investing in professional capacity and providing support at both the district and school levels, Alpine is working to ensure educators are prepared to help every student have a successful year.