180 Days of Learning : LOS ALAMITOS UNIFIED

A popular development program for faculty members will be expanded this fall, district officials said, giving teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade an opportunity to sharpen their skills.

Under the program, teachers participate in year-round workshops and those with less experience work with longtime faculty members to learn how to improve the planning and delivery of lessons, said Lorene Gonia, assistant superintendent.

“We hope to keep doing this highly successful and popular in-house program for both new and veteran teachers,” Gonia said.

Each new teacher uses part of his or her planning time to work with a mentor who gives guidance and helps anticipate class needs, curriculum requirements and planning, Gonia said.

A new wrinkle this year is that veteran teachers will study the techniques of some counterparts who excel in a particular teaching skill.

“They will observe each other in a classroom setting, later debrief each other and work with a coach,” Gonia said. “This is a good approach, because some teachers are truly masters of what they do. Others can learn from them.”

While teachers plan the first weeks of classes for the district’s 9,000 students, administrators are welcoming a new principal at one elementary school, said David E. Hatton, assistant superintendent.

Judy Smith is at the helm at McGaugh Elementary in Seal Beach.