BEAVER DAM — The Beaver Dam Unified School District is using mentoring and recruitment efforts to support new teachers and strengthen its staff.
Nicole White, the district’s director of human resources, said all new teachers receive mentoring, whether they are beginning their careers or joining Beaver Dam from another district.
First-year teachers receive a more intensive program. Some work with retired educators who help them navigate daily classroom responsibilities.
“We’ve got some of our retired staff working hand in hand with those teachers and kind of walking them through what that looks like day in and day out,” White said.
New teachers may also have an experienced teacher co-teaching with them during their first few weeks.
White said the district’s retired staff members also return to help through mentoring, substitute teaching and job-sharing positions.
“We are blessed that we get that opportunity to get them back in a smaller capacity later on,” White said.
The district recruits prospective educators through university job fairs, mock interviews and employer panels. White said the district has hired several employees through those efforts and has been able to follow their...