Civil Municipal - June 2024

its reputation. One of the district’s strengths is its dedicated and locally invested staff. Many educators grew up in the region and are deeply committed to the community. The local pride can sometimes pose challenges when implementing changes, but it also ensures a strong connection to the community’s values and needs. TEACHER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Despite difficulties recruiting trained teachers due to geographic isolation and the limited availability of teacher training programs, the district has successfully hired and trained over 200 teachers in the past three years. Many are transitioning from paraprofessional roles or have obtained bachelor’s degrees in other fields. The district’s investment in a new training facility complemented the initiative, repurposing an old buffet restaurant as a space for ongoing teacher education and professional development. Ellison oversees the training of elementary school teachers, emphasizing the importance of effective teaching across all subjects. The district offers extensive support for new teachers, including an in-house mentoring program with both full-time and part-time mentors, many of whom are retired educators passionate about continuing their involvement in education. Monthly professional development sessions in reading and math, along with summer training programs, ensure that teachers are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students. The district’s commitment to professional growth is further supported by a significant increase in 186 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 06