Newberg-Dundee Public Schools (NDPS) does employee training a little differently. On Thursday and Friday this week, every new employee — classified staff, teachers, educational assistants, and specialists (such as counselors) — gathered in one room to meet District Office administrators. The administrators offered support to the new hires, sharing contact information and resources.
“I am excited to welcome a new group of staff to the Newberg-Dundee Public Schools this year. We have a very dynamic group of staff,” Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Director Jillian Felizarta said shortly after training on Friday. “I can't wait to see all of the amazing learning that will take place in our classrooms with students this year.”
In addition, administrators offered training on education to not only educators but all new workers at NDPS. Special Programs Director Tony Buckner said that everyone on staff can benefit from learning about how educators reach and teach students because we’re all there to help, helping them grow in our own ways and being there when they need us. Superintendent Stephen W. Phillips captured the concept in the School District’s slogan: “All in for Kids.”
Buckner also shared another one of NDPS’s core educational philosophies. No student is labeled as a special education student or a Talented and Gifted student. At NDPS, they’re all just kids taking the classes that work for them and getting the support they need to achieve their academic goals, Buckner explained.
All of the speakers expressed a similar sentiment of acceptance and welcome for students — and staff as well. Whether they were talking about academics or human resources, every speaker noted that they were simply glad to see new faces on campus and were ready to start fresh after some challenging years. There were a lot of faces, with dozens of new staff coming on board, all eager to start a whole new year, to start anew.
The next step in launching the 2023-24 school year will be the all-staff training on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Newberg High School. Staff seeking more details may read the staff newsletter emailed on Aug. 23 or check in with a supervisor.