Education and growth are central to what our district stands for, and that includes many innovative and immersive programs that help all employees thrive. We offer an array of learning and development experiences for teachers, school leaders, administrative professionals and staff in other roles. We're committed to helping you to grow in your profession and offer outstanding resources to support you in your journey.
Employee Support and Professional Development Programs
Comprehensive Onboarding
This virtual, video-based orientation program helps new employees learn about district policies, benefits, tools and resources. Special Education and Pre-K beginning teachers receive content area-specific mentoring services.
Professional Learning Days
Every year, a number of non-instructional days are set aside to help our teachers and instructional assistants enhance their practices through a wide choice of engaging in-person and online sessions. These sessions feature a collaborative culture with a focus on the interactions among teachers, students and content.
National Board Certification
We consistently rank among the highest number of National Board-certified teachers in the nation, thanks in part to the support we provide to candidates at every step of the process. More than 3,000 teachers have achieved this milestone while working in WCPSS. Our first-in-the-nation Beginner to Board-Certified program provides support to third-year teachers as they prepare to earn Board certification in their fourth year of teaching.
Project LEADERS
This three-year grant program (Leveraging Employee Advancement to Develop Excellence and Reach Success) is available across 24 eligible schools in the Wake County district. Qualified teachers and assistant principals can receive a $1,500 sign-on bonus and principals can receive a $2,500 sign-on bonus, plus additional bonuses and incentives for retention and student growth-based scores. Learn more.
Beginning Teacher Support Program
The North Carolina Beginning Teacher Support Program (BTSP) has been enhanced in our district to provide continuous support to beginning teachers through one-on-one mentoring at the school level, as well as extensive assistance through school-level group meetings and staff development. Veteran teachers serve as mentors and provide coaching and support. The program also includes orientation, induction activities, monthly meetings and targeted training.
Professional Learning Communities
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) at the school and district levels provide a structure in which teachers, assistant principals and principals connect, collaborate and access learning opportunities and support.
Online, On-demand Professional Development
Our internal online training catalog, WakeLearns, offers thousands of courses to employees at all levels, including a leadership curriculum.
Opportunity Culture
Our district was awarded an Opportunity Culture Advanced Teaching Roles Grant that focuses on advancing teacher leadership within a school. Six schools will participate in the 2024-25 school year.
