New To Union Sessions Provides Mentoring, Guidance To New Elementary Teachers & Prizes

Posted Date: 09/22/2022

Teaching and Learning hosted the first of four New To Union sessions with new elementary teachers at the 8th Grade Center media center Wednesday afternoon.

In addition to enjoying refreshments, elementary teachers new to Union Public Schools were invited to mingle with each, make new friends and talk to mentors, Assistant Superintendents John Federline and Sand Calvin also attended and even helped hand out prizes.

The New To Union session – the first of four planned – is designed to touch base with elementary teachers, check in on their progress, provide mentoring and continue the efforts started by the district at New teacher Induction in early August, explained Dr. Todd Nelson, senior executive director of Research-Design-Assessment.

“Union just wants to see how the new teachers are doing, offer them help and allow them to network within our district,” Nelson said.

Nelson said the sessions were organized by district teacher trainers Briana Cleveland, Melissa Brown and Andrea Gaines.

After enjoying a chance to eat and mingle, teachers participating in an acronym game, followed by clear instruction, transitions, callbacks and narration as well as a discussion on technology modeling and materials. Prizes were handed out at the end of the session.