New Educator Preservice

Each fall, new certified staff in USD 233 are welcomed and oriented through an extensive preservice calendar of events. Typically these days include: Orientation to the Olathe District Culture: Students & Learning; Curriculum Overview; Question/Answer time with Instructional Resource Teachers and Support Facilitators (see below); Individual room or lab set-up time; OSHA required Blood-Borne Pathogen Training; Employee Benefits Program Presentation; and Introduction to the SubFinder/WebConnect Automated Calling System.

IRT's (Instructional Support Teachers) & Support Facilitators

Each new USD 233 faculty member is aligned with an Instructional Resource Teacher (IRT), selected for professional knowledge, performance, and rapport.  IRTs or Support Facilitators meet regularly with new staff to provide information on district resources, to share instructional strategies, and to otherwise provide support during the first year as an Olathe District team member.  We have received many positive comments about the support provided by these professionals.

Collegial Mentors

Along with district IRT support, educators that are new to the profession in Olathe USD 233 are guided by a collegial mentor, who is a veteran Olathe educator and fellow faculty member that serves as a point of contact for many day-to-day needs and questions, as well as an advisory role during the crucial first two years of employment.

Orientation Partners

Experienced educators joining us in the Olathe District also receive the above described IRT support. However we recognize that their needs and questions about making the transition to a new district will differ from those that have not been in education before.  Orientation partners support the unique needs of experienced educators for their first year in the district, and again these are fellow faculty members who can be a single point of contact for assistance in the new surroundings.

School Improvement Training

An important part of the Olathe District Instructional culture is a data-driven, research-based program of continuous school improvement.   During the fall semester, new staff to Olathe will participate in a one-day orientation training designed to as an introduction to the responsibilities all district staff share for school improvement. Class coverage is provided for this training.

Advanced Teaching and Learning Program

We are pleased to offer new educators to Olathe USD 233 the opportunity to work toward a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Emporia State University, through a partnership specifically designed for this purpose, and offered at locations in our district facilities. Participants can complete the first 10 graduate hours through this program. Degree completion is available through on-site classes and on-line coursework through ESU. Those not interested in the Master's program may still participate and earn District Staff Development points for both Kansas recertification and also movement on the USD 233 salary schedule. Classes typically meet twice monthly, for 3 hrs each session. (For more info. on The Teachers College at ESU, click the logo above)

Advanced Teaching and Learning Core Program

New staff not participating in the Master's program described above may choose instead to join an abbreviated program, with topics including: Student Management/Discipline, Effective Instruction, Authentic Assessment. Core Program participants meet once monthly for 2 hrs. each session.