Our Mission

Working together as a team, we will end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success through high quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student.

Our Mission

ACPS Novice Teachers

Novice Teacher Network

Throughout the school year, first year novices will gather for ongoing learning opportunities as they put into practice all of the skills and knowledge they bring to the work. The purpose of these forums is to build the resourcefulness of novice teachers through the examination of artifacts of practice and participation in a process of collaborative inquiry.

Each forum will focus on a different set of data captured in a variety of artifacts. A portion of each forum will be dedicated to fostering collaborative networks structured to help novices identify issues, learn together, try new strategies, and analyze results in order to advance practice.

New Teacher Academy (NTA)

NTA August 2021

The four days of New Teacher Academy are designed to give you insight into the way we do work in Albemarle County Public Schools as aligned with our vision, mission, core values, goal, and priorities. While we will come together via a hybrid format for our activities, we are excited about the opportunity to welcome you into our learning community and support you in creating a professional network with new colleagues.

August 11 and 12 will be division-level days while August 10 and 13 will be days when you connect with your school administration and colleagues. We will get started at 8:30 am. When logging in virtually, please sign on from a place where you have a strong internet connection. If you wish to log on from your school building, your administrator will find a place for you to get set up.

Instructional Coach Support

What Beginning Teachers Can Expect from an Instructional Coach

Each novice teacher is paired with an Instructional Coach who will be a partner in practice during the novice's first two years. Instructional Coaches support and mentor beginning teachers in a variety of ways during this time. Learning needs, the time of year, unexpected situations, and demands at the school are just a few of the factors that will determine the focus of weekly conversations and periodic observations. Novices receive recertification points for the time they spend with instructional coaches and attending Novice Teacher Forums.

The following list summarizes a few of the ways which coaches support teachers.

Knowledge of Students

Identify and help implement strategies that engage learners.
Share learning style assessments, interest inventories, and preference assessments.
Help develop and analyze profiles of student learning style, preferences, interests, academic strengths, cultural assets, and social skills.

Knowledge of Content

Locate state and division curriculum resources.
Connect with Instructional Coaches and other teacher leaders in at the school.
Provide relevant links, books, and articles.

Safe, Effective Learning Environment

Help develop routines and procedures that facilitate learning.
Help define and establish expectations for behavior.
Provide information about prevention and intervention strategies, motivational systems, conflict resolution, classroom design and organization ideas.
Identify strategies that promote active and equitable participation.

Planning, Delivery and Assessment

Help develop and refine curriculum maps and pacing guides.
Co-analyze student work and assessment data to help make instructional decisions.
Help design lesson plans and units that are standards-based and that are aligned with division frameworks and state Standards of Learning.
Identify ways to differentiate for the diverse learning needs of students, including strategies and resources for English as a Second Language and special populations.
Support utilization of technology and media.
Locate and provide a variety of materials and resources to support instructional goals.

Collaboration and Communication

Support effective communication with colleagues, administrators, and families.
Rehearse communication scenarios such as parent conferences.
Identify and connect with personnel who may be a resource to the teacher and the students.
Provide resources and protocols that facilitate collaborative planning, co-teaching, collaborative analysis of student work, and participation in a Professional Learning Community.

Professionalism

Create and help monitor professional goals.
Clarify school and division policy and procedures.
Provide and recommend options for professional development.