Dozens of new teachers and counselors in Alpine Schools District have already headed back to the classroom. Nearly 300 new certified educators attended a new employee orientation at Viewpoint Middle School on Thursday, July 31.
These new hires will join the district’s team of about 4,000 certified employees will be at one of the district’s 90 schools when students return on August 13. The event was designed to build a sense of community, provide essential training, and set a positive tone for the year ahead.
As attendees arrived, they were greeted by the Viewpoint Middle School student council, who offered high-fives and cheers to start the day on a high note.
"It’s important for people to see others who were hired at the same time to build a community, to know they have a team learning and growing with them," said Cami Harper, Executive Director of Human Resources for Alpine School District.
The orientation also gave new hires a clear understanding of the district’s mission. "They get to see the vision of the school district–who we have been, who we are, and where we're going. And they get to meet some of the leaders face to face," she added.
Breakout sessions were a key part of the orientation, offering new staff members practical information to help them succeed. Topics included familiarization with the Strategic Plan, understanding Professional Learning Communities, and an overview of district-supported technology solutions. These sessions were designed to equip new teachers with the tools and knowledge they need to effectively support student learning from day one.
Superintendent Rob Smith reminded new employees of the profound impact they will have on students. "Alpine teachers are leaders," Smith said. "Your success is the people you influence to help achieve their success. That’s the joy we find in this profession." He encouraged the new hires to embrace their role as mentors and leaders, emphasizing that their work is about positively influencing young lives. "You have a powerful impact on humans. We need that more than ever," he stated.
It’s a unique moment to help new educators prepare for the challenges of the coming school year.
“It’s the biggest event of the year for us,” said Michelle Bronk, a Human Resources Specialist,” New teachers are excited to go out into our schools and teach our students," Bronk said. “And we are excited to help them start off right.”