NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
June 1, 2015 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909)595-1261 ext. 31204
Beginning Teachers Complete Credential Program
WALNUT, CA— Area educators came together to applaud a new group of teachers that have successfully completed their credential program.
Fifty-six beginning teacher induction candidates who wrapped up the two-year curriculum were recognized during the Walnut Valley BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment) Induction Colloquium held May 14 at Royal Vista Golf Course.
The 16th annual year-end event celebrates teachers who have completed the two year teacher induction program and earned their clear credential.
BTSA teachers, support providers, along with many district and site administrators were in attendance to support the beginning teachers.
Each induction candidate created presentations that featured professional development and student achievement that resulted from the BTSA experience.
The Walnut Valley Induction program serves teachers from several local districts, including Walnut Valley USD, Whittier City SD, East Whittier City SD, South Whittier SD, Chino Valley USD, Norwalk-La Mirada USD, Lowell Joint SD, and Covina Valley USD.
In addition, the consortium partners with several local private and charter schools and teachers whose programs do not offer a BTSA Induction program.
During each new teacher’s two-year induction program they are matched with a trained mentors, known as support providers, to engage in inquiry-based effective teaching practices.
New teachers meet weekly with their support providers, and also engage in regular professional development and collaboration with other new teachers in similar assignments across the program.
Director Julie Sheldon credits the highly skilled support providers for the success of the program.
“Having skilled mentors working with new teachers is key to a whether they will stay in the profession and be effective educators. Those first two years of teaching are crucial in a teacher’s career, and having that individualized, positive mentoring makes all the difference.”
The program strives to continually improve the quality of education for every student through a system of support for new teachers. As one induction candidate notes, “There is such a huge learning curve in the first few years of teaching. BTSA caused me to reflect on what I've learned so that I can use the new knowledge I have and be better prepared for the years ahead. It has helped me lay a foundation for teaching that I will stand on for many years.”
Shown:
Area educators gathered to celebrate beginning teachers who have successfully completed their credential program. Fifty-six teachers were recognized during the Walnut Valley BTSA Colloquium on May 14. Each induction candidate created presentations that featured professional development and student achievement that resulted from their induction experience.