The Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts have officially launched this year’s Second-Year Teacher Induction Program, hosting the first session at Amherst Regional High School. Second-year teachers from across the three districts gathered to continue developing their skills and to strengthen their connection to the district.
The session was facilitated by New Teacher Leaders Melissa Sulikowski and Tim Austin, who guide educators through monthly meetings during their second year in the district. These meetings are part of a two-year mentoring and induction initiative jointly organized by the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and the Office of Human Resources. The session focused on creating norms for the professional culture that the new teachers would like to build within their own schools. Staff utilized the ARPS acronym (Accountable, Respectful, Professional, and Student-centered) to create these professional norms, then strategized on how to bring these norms into their schools.
“I love doing professional development with new and second-year teachers,” said Director Jennifer Ortiz. “I like having them have a part in creating a warm and welcoming culture in their schools.”
This program fulfills requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which mandates that all educators new to a district participate in a two-year mentoring and induction process. In their first year, teachers are paired with mentors who offer ongoing guidance, non-evaluative classroom observations, and regular check-ins. The second-year sessions build on that foundation, giving teachers space to reflect, learn targeted instructional strategies, and continue their growth as educators.
“Supporting new educators is essential to building strong, student-centered classrooms,” said Superintendent Dr. Xi. “This program ensures that every teacher who joins our district is welcomed, supported, and given the tools they need to thrive. When our teachers thrive, our students thrive.”
By investing in new educators during their first two years, the district is creating stronger classrooms and helping to ensure long-term success for both staff and students.