Summer 2015 New Teacher

Professional Development

Karen Rue, Ed.D.Superintendent of SchoolsRobert Thornell, Ed.D.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and InstructionStephanie Espinosa, Ed.D.

Executive Director of Curriculum and Staff DevelopmentMichael Griffin, Ed.D.

Executive Director of Elementary EducationLogan Faris, Ed.D.

Executive Director of Secondary EducationKevin Lacefield, Ed.D.

Executive Director of Fine ArtsJennifer Alexander, Ed.D.

Executive Director of Student Services

EduphoriaOnce new teacher orientation is complete, you can register for courses through Eduphoria. It is important that you register through Eduphoria so we have accurate counts of workshop participants. Directions for Eduphoria:

1. Open Eduphoria at http://eduphoria.nisdtx.org.2. Log into Eduphoria with your established username and

password.3. Click on the workshop icon.4. Use either the search button at the top right, the categories

section, or the calendar feature to search for and select the course you want to take.

5. Once you have selected your course, click on the green + register icon at the top.

6. You will receive a confirmation email after you are registered for the course.

7. If you decide to not attend a class, you need to unregister for the course as soon as possible.

For teachers that have not attended orientation or did not receive username and password information, you may email Paula Taylor at ptaylor@nisdtx.org to request the course(s) you would like to take so she can register you.

New Teacher SupportAt NISD, we strive to recruit, develop, retain, and recognize an exceptional, highly motivated staff to optimize student engagement and learning. We strongly believe that this starts with supporting our new teachers.

Mentor ProgramAll teachers new to NISD are provided with a mentor to help support them throughout the year instructionally as well as with the ins and outs of their campus. Mentors and new teachers are trained on the resources that are provided to the new teachers to optimize their 1st year experience in NISD. Mentors meet with new teachers prior to school beginning and throughout the school year. Our goal is to retain our teachers and help them provide the best education possible for our students.

New Teacher AcademyTo continue to support our new teachers, NISD will provide a New Teacher Academy for our new teachers. This academy will meet three times in the fall of their first year to support teachers with instruction and curriculum. Those dates will be communicated to new teachers through the Content Coordinators.

Welcome to Northwest ISDNorthwest ISD (NISD) is one of the fastest growing school districts in the state and attracts more than 1,400 new students each year. NISD spans 234 square miles and serves 14 communities in parts of three counties. The

district operates three comprehensive high schools, an acceler-ated high school, five middle schools, 17 elementary schools, a special programs center and a com-munity-based youth residential program.

NISD Curriculum ContactsAdvanced Academics Coordinator Linda DenningCareer and Technical Education DirectorCyLynn BraswellELA CoordinatorsSunni Johnson, Ph.D., Elementary Brittnie Bragg, Secondary Math CoordinatorsShelley Ingram, ElementaryMelanye Griffin, SecondaryScience CoordinatorsTammy Motley, ElementaryTerry Ward, SecondarySocial Studies CoordinatorDarsi BickleySpecial Education SupervisorsMicah GierkeyStacey Parker

Technology in NISDDuring new teacher orientation, new educators will have technology training to provide support with the variety of technology tools and programs offered in NISD. At new teacher orientation, our new teachers will receive their devices, as well as logins and access to email and network drives. New teachers will also receive the following trainings: NISD Learning Management System, building a web page, accessing curriculum courses, and how to use Eduphoria. All teachers are invited to our summer technology conference, 1:World on July 29 & 30 at Byron Nelson High School. If you wish to attend this conference, you can register at: http://conference.nisdtx.org/attend.php This conference is FREE to NISD employees. You can also register through Eduphoria. Orientation Dates:Once hired, new teachers will receive an email to select an orientation date. We recommend that teachers select the earliest date possible. Orientation takes place at the NISD Administration Building located at 2001 Texan Drive.

New Teacher Training RequirementsNISD provides a week of training for teachers new to the district. We are excited about offering premier professional development to our employees. Our new teacher training is combined with our district summer learning conference ENGAGE! The conference will provide new teachers with training that is pertinent for new teachers to be successful. New teachers will also have opportunities to pick conference sessions that fit their professional development needs. This week of activities is required for all teachers new to NISD. New teachers will receive a conference schedule at the New Teacher Breakfast. Information regarding new teacher training and ENGAGE can be found at the NISD Professional Learning Website. http://www.nisdtx.org/ProfessionalLearning.

Please see the following schedule for new teacher week.Monday, August 10, 2015

• 7:15 a.m. – New Teacher Breakfast at BNHS Student Union• 9:30 a.m. – Report to home campus for the rest of the day

Tuesday, August 11, 2015• ENGAGE NISD Summer Professional Learning Institute at Byron

Nelson High SchoolWednesday, August 12, 2015

• ENGAGE NISD Summer Professional Learning Institute at Byron Nelson High School

Thursday, August 13, 2015• ENGAGE NISD Summer Professional Learning Institute at Byron

Nelson High SchoolFriday, August 14, 2015

• 8:30 a.m. - Report to home campus for campus updates, training, and time with new teacher mentor.

PDAS – Professional Development Appraisal SystemTeachers new to teaching and/or new to teaching in Texas must complete this 6 hour training. The training is offered throughout the summer at the dates below. We encourage all new teachers to complete the training as early as possible!

• June 25, 2015 – 8:30 a.m. – NISD Administration Building• July 20, 2015 – 8:30 a.m. – NISD Administration Building • August 4, 2015 – 8:30 a.m. – NISD Administration Building• August 17, 2015 – 8:00 a.m. – NISD Administration Building