Professional Development
FFSD Professional Learning and Evaluation
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- New Teacher Support
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Travel Request
- Student Teaching / Observation in FFSD
- Evaluation
New Teacher Support
Welcome to our New Teacher Support, which will provide links to a variety of important information for new teachers in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, including frequently asked questions, professional development opportunities, the district's new teacher meeting dates, and a copy of the new teacher support handbook. Please visit the New Teacher Support menu on the left side of this page for many help links and information. We hope that you find this site helpful.
Register for New Teacher OrientationOur teachers are our best resource. A highly qualified teacher in every classroom provides our students with the best opportunity to be successful. The Ferguson-Florissant School District recognizes the importance of supporting our first-year teachers as they embark on a new and exciting career. The goal of the FFSD New Teacher Induction and Mentoring program is to provide new teachers with the opportunity for a meaningful and focused discussion about educational issues related to instruction, curriculum, classroom management, and communication, along with collaborating with colleagues. If you have questions that aren't answered here, please contact Tamoya Rose-Watson.
Welcome to the FFSD Family and have a wonderful school year!
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New Teacher Orientation
Congratulations and welcome to the Ferguson-Florissant School District! This is a very busy and exciting time as we prepare for the 2024-2025 school year. We are delighted that you chose Ferguson-Florissant School District as you continue your career in education!
The orientation program is required for all new teachers and is designed to provide you with meaningful information and professional learning that will assist you in transitioning into your new classroom/school. During this week, we will focus on Curriculum and Instruction, Technology Services, Human Resources, and more!
Details related to this important week are found below:
Date: August 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th, 2024
Location: STEAM High (August 6th will be in your building)
Greeting and Q&A: 7:30 a.m.
Orientation: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please register for this required orientation - Click Here
Who should attend the FFSD New Teacher Orientation?
- ALL teachers and counselors that are new to FFSD
- Educators returning from other districts
FFSD New Teacher Induction Program
The FFSD New Teacher Induction Program consists of eight meetings as well as monthly involvement with a district-assigned mentor. These meetings provide the opportunity for first and second-year teachers to dive into the six domains of teaching as defined by the Missouri Teaching Development System: Community Builder, Classroom Manager, Instructional Designer, Facilitator of Thinking and Learning, Reflective Learner, and Professional.
As part of your certification requirements to upgrade to a PCII (after year 4), you must have completed a Beginning Teacher Assistance Program (BTAP) provided by a university or teacher association. Normally, completion of this requirement is at your own expense. However, participation in the FFSD New Teacher Program program counts as completion of the BTAP requirement. Lindenwood will issue you a BTAP certificate at the end of the school year, for your participation in the FFSD New Teacher Induction program.
Required: In order to successfully complete the requirements of the FFSD New Teacher Induction Program and qualify for your BTAP you must:
- Attend the FFSD New Teacher Orientation in August.
- Attend the 4 New Teacher Induction Meetings throughout the year (see schedule below).
- Participate in 3 triad meetings with your mentor and mentor facilitator throughout the year.
- Complete quarterly checklists in Performance Matters
- Document 20 coaching hours with your mentor.
Optional: FFSD partners with Lindenwood University to offer course credit for participation in both Year 1 and Year 2 of the FFSD New Teacher Induction program. Teachers may receive 3 credits for Year 1 and 2 credits for Year 2. To apply for course credit, please see the following documents: Year 1 and Year 2.
Year 1 and 2, 2023-2024 Meetings Secondary 3:45 - 4:45 Elementary 5:00 - 6:00 Registration Required in Performance Matters, Course #10997 |
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All meetings will take place at Staff Development in the Admin Building, 8855 Dunn Road. Attendance at all meetings is required for BTAP as well as course credit through Lindenwood. |
First-year mentors receive a $750 stipend and second-year mentors receive a $500 stipend. Beginning of the year communication to Mentors Beginning of the year Principal Communication FFSD BTAP Year 1 Outcomes (Aligned to all standards) |
New Teacher Documents and Links
FFSD HR and Benefits Self-Paced Module
This PD module will provide helpful videos, documents, and links for important FFSD Human Resources and Benefits information.
FFSD Onboarding - Teacher Cheat Sheet
FFSD New Teacher Handbook
This section of the PD handbook provides helpful information regarding the FFSD New Teacher Mentor program, BTAP and certification requirements.
FFSD New Counselor Handbook
This handbook will provide information regarding the FFSD New Counselor program and supports available.
DESE New Educator Development Site
This site provides useful information from DESE to support new teachers, including PLCs, Regional Professional Development Centers, and information on evaluation.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement (Certified Teachers / Admin)
Please read the full policy regarding FFSD Tuition Reimbursement for detailed information. The process for submitting for approval and tuition reimbursement is below:
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Before the semester begins (see dates below), complete the Tuition Reimbursement/College Course Application form in TalentED. In order to move on the pay scale all coursework must be pre-approved to be considered eligible for a change in salary.
Summer Semester - May 24
Fall Semester - September 21
Winter/Spring Semester - January 30
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Await course approval.
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Attend your course.
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Once the semester is over (see dates below), complete the Tuition Reimbursement Report Card and Payment form and submit a report card and receipt of payment.
Summer Semester - August 24
Fall Semester - January 31
Winter/Spring Semester - May 24
Process for payment may take 4-6 weeks
Policy 1106: Change of Status
In order to move on the pay scale all coursework must be pre-approved to be considered eligible for a change in salary. Change of status to a higher scale happens twice per year (see below from Policy 1106). To submit for a change of status, you must complete the Change of Status form in TalentEd and send an updated transcript to HR.
Collective Bargaining Agreement Article 17 Section 4: Tuition Reimbursement - Certified
The District commits to a Tuition Reimbursement Program for IPC and CPC Teachers (Teachers on Scale One through Step 10 and Scale Two through Step 10 have priority eligibility for this program). Teachers must complete District approved courses related to their teaching assignment or certification. Courses that will lead to an advanced degree in the teacher’s content area will be reimbursed at a credit hour rate not to exceed the UMSL (University of Missouri - St. Louis) rate.
Courses taken in a degree program leading to an advanced degree in education that is in a non-content area will be reimbursed at a rate of $250 per credit hour. This amount may vary based upon the number of teachers applying for the $100,000 fund ($25,000 first semester/$25,000 second semester/$50,000 summer). Any remaining funds of the $100,000 budget at the end of the school year may be used to reimburse other teachers up to three hours of credit.
Only tuition charges are eligible for reimbursement. Employees who resign prior to the reimbursement distribution will not receive the reimbursement. Employees who receive reimbursement shall sign the contract for the following year or repay the reimbursement.
Policy 1106.3: TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR ADMINISTRATORS
The District provides a Tuition Reimbursement Program for Administrators. Administrators must complete District approved courses related to their assignment or certification. Courses taken in a degree program leading to an advanced degree in administration will be reimbursed at a rate of $250 per credit hour.
This amount may vary based upon the number of administrators applying for the $15,000 fund. Any remaining funds of the $15,000 budget available at the end of the school year may be used to reimburse other administrators up to three hours of credit.
Only tuition charges are eligible for reimbursement. Administrators who resign prior to the reimbursement distribution will not receive the reimbursement.
Travel Request
CONFERENCES AND TRAVEL REQUESTS
Process for obtaining approval for conferences and travel.
Video directions - Request for Travel
Click here for video directions on how to complete a request to travel outside the district. Request For Travel must be submitted via Talent Ed at least 10 days prior to travel.
Written directions - Request for Travel
Click here for written directions on how to complete a request to travel outside the district. Request For Travel must be submitted via Talent Ed at least 10 days prior to travel.
Expense Report
Expense reports will be filed electronically via TalentEd and must be submitted within 14 days of travel. Directions for submitting the Expense Report to TalentEd can be found here. Prior to submitting your expense report, you must have the following:
1. PDF of your approved Request for Travel (see above).
2. A scanned copy of all receipts that are being submitted with your expense report.
Student Teaching / Observation in FFSD
Ferguson-Florissant School District is pleased to cooperate with many area colleges and universities in classroom observation and student teaching/internship programs. We feel that these preparatory experiences are extremely important in the "real world" development of future teachers. With this belief as a foundation, the following steps/procedures have been established so that the college students and cooperating FFSD teachers can provide the best developmental experience possible.
Requests to student teach in the district are only accepted from a sponsoring university/college. Student teachers are asked not to contact individual teachers or building administrators to obtain information for a student teaching placement. Before placement, the following required documents must be secured by the student:
Steps for Placement of Student Teachers / Interns / Observers
- University and Student: The university must ensure the student has secured the required documents (see table above). Placement requests cannot be reviewed until the required documents are submitted. DESE Fingerprints should include code 1829.
- University: The university submits a request via the link: https://forms.gle/Cr2BsPQSYNFhaZG88
- FFSD: The placement team will review the university request. Once verified, a member of the placement team will notify the student and university of the placement information.
Evaluation
Evaluation of Education Support Personnel
Education Support Personnel (Classified staff) will be evaluated on a yearly basis, due May 1. Details regarding evaluation for classified staff can be located in CBA, Article 13, Section 7:
Missouri Educator Evaluation System
The Ferguson-Florissant School District Teacher Evaluation System is designed to ensure that research-based best practices are embedded throughout the system in order to meet the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s essential principles of effective evaluation. The Ferguson-Florissant system includes the following research-based principles:
- Measuring performance based on research-based and proven practices
- Using differentiated levels of performance
- Highlighting the probationary period as a significant time of intensive support
- Including measures of growth in student learning as evidence of performance
- Providing regular, timely, and meaningful feedback on performance
- Including standardized and ongoing training for evaluators
- Using evaluation results to inform employment decisions and policy
In order to implement these principles with fidelity and help teachers perform at the highest level, the District has adopted the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) as its evaluation tool. Missouri’s Educator Evaluation System was created, field-tested and piloted, and refined by hundreds of educators across the state. All information regarding evaluation can be found in the District Policy Handbook (Policy 1091) as well as the FFSD Evaluation Handbook. All employees are required to view this video at the beginning of each school year (via SafeSchools) as part of their annual in-service work for the Performance-Based Evaluation system.
Performance Matters is the platform that houses our evaluation tool. The links in the navigation menu on the left will provide more information regarding evaluation in FFSD. FFSD CSIP can help to guide PDP and SLO input.