The district has a New Teacher Academy to support the newest additions to the teaching ranks. They are given the opportunity to observe experienced classroom teachers and learn classroom management and instructional strategies. The Academy was created by LaDonna Chancellor, the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. She hired Keri Gardner, retired Central Middle School principal and award-winning math teacher, as a Teacher Specialist for the effort.
At the start of April 2025, Ms. Gardner and Ms. Chancellor were joined by Supt. McCauley at a reception recognizing the teachers who have completed this year's academy.
In previous years, the district has had 42 teachers who were new to the teaching profession and participated in the academy, and 38 of them were retained. Training and retaining new teachers is particularly important as Oklahoma continues to face a significant teacher shortage.