Schools

AACPS New Teachers Get 'The Right Start'

The 11th annual "The Right Start" new teacher orientation welcomed 300 hires this week. More teachers and staff are expected to be added before the start of the school year.

More than 300 new teachers are joining Anne Arundel County Public Schools and many of them kicked off the school year at the 11th annual “The Right Start” new teacher orientation Monday at Arundel High School.

VIDEO: New teachers and AACPS leaders talk about gearing up for the upcoming academic year.

Professional Growth and Development Director Andrea Zamora said “The Right Start” program stemmed from the “B.E.S.T.: Beginning Educator Support Teachers” program in the early 2000s. 

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“Teachers helping teachers has improved our teacher retention,” Zamora said.

According to Zamora, AACPS new teacher retention levels are high for first-, second- and third-year educators in the system.

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  • 94 percent of first-year teachers returned this year.
  • 92 percent of second- and third-year teachers also came back to Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

New Teacher Support Manager Andrea Mucci said there are more than 300 new teachers joining the school system.

“We used to have many, many more,” Mucci said. In previous years, anywhere from 600 to 900 new teachers usually packed new teacher orientation in the auditorium of Old Mill High School, Mucci said. At the new location, Arundel High School, the auditorium was half full.

“The economy has really hit education. Many teachers are nervous about retiring,” Mucci added. She said tough economic times have impacted the number of teacher vacancies the schools are able to fill.

Mucci said AACPS would continue hiring more teachers and staff into the fall as school starts. The hiring process will continue after if necessary. Employment opportunities are available on the school system website.


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