Tracy Creech had just finished teaching a state-required session for newly minted educators. They listened intently to the information, but the N.C. Teacher Evaluation Process, especially those classroom observations – announced and unannounced – brought out heavy sighs and nervous whispers.

 

“Is everyone OK?” said Creech, a professional learning support coordinator in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Office of Professional Development. “Teaching is not easy, but you’re going to be fine. You’ll get there, and that’s all that matters.”

The session was part of Crown Academy, the district’s teacher orientation held Aug. 3-14, which was attended by 644 educators – 351 who are new to teaching and 293 experienced teachers who are new to the district. Over two high-energy weeks (one week for veterans), they were equipped with the latest district resources and technology tools, proven strategies for a thriving learning environment and information on the curriculum, data analysis and time management.

Most importantly, they were surrounded with support staff who could answer their questions – such as how to get paid – solve problems and provide encouragement as they enter the new school year.  

“When I became a teacher, there wasn’t anything like this,” said Creech, who has worked with beginning teachers for about 10 years. “Now, they are more nurturing for beginning teachers, which is a good thing. We try to make sure they are well cared for and have an appropriate mentor so they’ll be here for the long-term.”

Theodore Mueller, director of the Teacher Early Career Development and Pipelines team, said the state funds three days of new teacher orientation that starts before teachers report for their contracted start time at the beginning of the school year.

“Our division (Recruitment, Retention and Talent Development) was charged with creating an effective, streamlined and more cohesive onboarding experience, and that includes extending it,” he said. “Then that affords us more time to go deeper with curriculum, certain local initiatives, like ABCs of Survival or Infinite Campus training, data decision-making – things that are important for CMS on top of the state-required licensure, district and state vision, mission and goals.” 

A new addition to this year’s schedule was a districtwide, school-based orientation on Aug. 12. Attendees reported to their schools, where they received another welcome.

“You can do these events and prepare teachers at the district level, and you should, but research has been clear that the most traction is at the school site,” Mueller said. “Giving them time to work in their classrooms, to learn the school building, to learn staff, to learn some of the initiatives of that school and to give the school leadership team a time to work with their newest staff before all staff comes back is a real gift.”

Cynthia Sloan moved to North Carolina a year ago from Ohio. With 20 years in education, she has taught children of all ages, as well as at the college level and in community education. With degrees in both economics and business, she will be teaching those subjects at McClintock Middle School and is excited about her school and Crown Academy.

“I am very excited, so much so that I didn’t sleep last night just anticipating what this week would look like,” Sloan said. “Just from the moment we step in the building, even before you step in, there’s so much inspiration on the path to just come in the building. I actually took a picture this morning of the (motivational) signs that are out there. It just feels very inviting. If you have any questions, they reiterate, ‘We’re here to help you. We’re here to support you,’ and they really are. So I felt extremely welcomed and am really happy to be here.”