Fairfield, CA - Last week, the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) hosted its annual Premier Start event, a three-day onboarding program for all teachers new to the district. This year, over 120 new educators participated in the event, which provided a valuable opportunity for networking and professional development.
Premier Start featured keynote speakers including Superintendent Jennifer Sachs, Teacher of the Year Chris Bryan, Student Board Member JaiJai Perry, New Teacher Academy Coordinator Kristin Warsaw, and Fairfield-Suisun Unified Teachers Association President Pam Williamson. The speakers delivered inspiring messages, setting a positive tone for the new academic year.
Participants attended a variety of breakout sessions led by FSUSD teachers and administrators designed to equip new teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their roles. These sessions covered essential topics such as Human Resources Q & A, Student & Family Services, Google Suite & Google Classroom, Navigating Curriculum, First Weeks of School, Special Education Best Practices, and Inclusive Classroom Strategies. Daily debrief sessions were also conducted by Consulting Teachers who will continue to support many of the new teachers throughout the year.
The FSUSD Admin Council generously donated giveaways and prizes for the new teachers, while local businesses contributed gift cards from Dutch Bros, ShareTea, and Maverick's Crepes & More. Additionally, each participating teacher received a one-time stipend for attending the event.
Kristin Warsaw, Coordinator of Educational Services and instrumental in planning the event, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "This year's Premier Start event was a tremendous success, thanks to the incredible efforts of our FSUSD teachers and administrators. Our goal is to provide our newly hired teachers with the tools and support they need to have a successful year and to fulfill the FSUSD Mission and Vision, empowering every student to thrive. We are fortunate to welcome a group of enthusiastic and dedicated educators to our district this year.”
The Premier Start event highlights FSUSD's dedication to supporting its educators, ensuring they have the resources, connections, and community support necessary to excel in their new roles. As the new school year approaches, the district looks forward to the positive impact these new teachers will have on their students and the broader FSUSD community.
