In June, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District marked a significant milestone as 20 teachers completed the inaugural FSUSD Pre-Induction Teacher Institute. The program, facilitated by Kristin Warsaw, coordinator of the New Teacher Academy, brought together educators from grades TK-12 representing 12 schools across the district.

The participating teachers are in the early stages of their careers, either currently in their first years of teaching or about to begin in the upcoming school year, and are all working towards earning their preliminary teaching credentials. Throughout the institute, the teachers gained essential skills and knowledge in effective teaching practices, including the development of standards-aligned learning intentions and success criteria for students. They also delved into the elements of unit and lesson design and learned how to plan inclusive and equitable learning experiences for all students.

A key focus of the institute was on culturally responsive teaching techniques. Participants learned strategies to build students’ background knowledge, design engaging activities, and ensure that every student can achieve success. These skills are crucial for creating a supportive and effective learning environment.

“The teachers involved worked diligently in an effort to create meaningful learning experiences for our FSUSD students,” Warsaw said.

Many of the teachers who completed the Pre-Induction Teacher Institute will continue their professional development at FSUSD’s Premier Start, a three-day onboarding event scheduled for this July. This continued learning and collaboration aim to further equip new teachers with the tools they need to thrive in their educational careers.